Packers Suffer 35-14 Loss to Falcons Amid Historic Rushing Struggles

The Green Bay Packers fell to 1-2 following a 35-14 home-opening loss to the Atlanta Falcons, where they managed only 17 total rushing yards.

The Green Bay Packers fell to a 1-2 record following a 35-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. The defeat marks the worst three-game start for the franchise during Matt LaFleur's eight-season tenure as head coach. Green Bay’s offense produced only 17 rushing yards on nine attempts, a total that stands as the team's third-lowest rushing output in over 90 years. By comparison, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson recorded 194 rushing yards, outgaining the entire Packers season total of 146 yards.

Quarterback Jordan Love completed 28 of 53 passes for 312 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Despite being sacked only once, Love was hit 12 times by the Atlanta defense. Through three games, Love has completed 52% of his passes, the lowest mark in the NFL for a quarterback with at least 100 attempts since 2011. Christian Watson led the receiving corps with seven catches for 96 yards and one touchdown, while tight end Tucker Kraft added four receptions for 26 yards.

The Packers' offensive line utilized its third different starting left guard in three weeks, featuring rookie Jager Burton, following a season-ending injury to right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele. A critical failure occurred on the opening drive of the second half when Green Bay, trailing 17-7, failed to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Falcons' 7-yard line. The team currently averages a league-low 48.7 rushing yards per game and remains without leading rusher Josh Jacobs, who is on the commissioner exempt list.