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 The Packers scored points on all five of their first half scoring
drives, including four touchdowns, to open up a dominant 31-7 lead
before stifling a Falcons fightback to improve to a joint-NFL best
10-3.
Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones notched up 259 yards and a
touchdown as the Falcons rallied to within six points in the fourth
quarter, but his side fell to 5-8 and into a tie at the top of the
woeful NFC South with the New Orleans Saints.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers amassed 327 yards and tossed three
touchdowns, wide receiver Jordy Nelson had two TDs and 146 yards and
running back Eddie Lacy scored twice and had 106 all-purpose yards
to send the side to a fifth straight win.
 Both teams traded opening drive rushing touchdowns for an early 7-7
scoreline before the Packers exploded.
Lacy opened the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run and
Mason Crosby knocked over a field goal to push the lead to 17-7
before Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw a critical interception.
Morgan Burnett pulled the wayward pass down and returned the ball 32
yards to the red zone, setting up field position for Lacy to score
again. Nelson added a 10-yard touchdown reception late in the second
quarter before the Packers completed the half by blocking a Falcons
field goal attempt. Jones opened the second half with a 79-yard
reception to set up an Eric Weems touchdown before traded field
goals took the score to 34-17.
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A 22-yard catch and score for Jones pulled the Falcons to 34-24 but
Rodgers connected with Nelson for a 60-yard touchdown soon after to
extend the lead again. Roddy White scored with just over six minutes
left to once again get within 10 but a failed two-point conversion
kept the pressure valve off the Packers.
Crosby added his third field goal for some insurance points and
while Harry Douglas scored the Falcons fourth second half touchdown
with just over two minutes remaining but they failed to get another
look at the football.
Ryan finished with four touchdowns and 375 yards in a losing effort.
(Writing by Ben Everill in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)
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