ATLANTA – Both teams moved the ball up and down the field to start Sunday's game at the Georgia Dome, and the Falcons took a 10-7 lead into the second period with the Packers driving for another score.
The Falcons got on the board first. A 14-yard pass to WR Mohamed Sanu and a 10-yard scramble by QB Matt Ryan picked up two first downs. After back-to-back illegal formation penalties on Atlanta, TE Jacob Tamme gained 13 yards on third-and-14, and he injured his shoulder on the play (return questionable).
On fourth-and-1, the Falcons went for it and an outside pitch to RB Devonta Freeman fooled Green Bay's defense for a 17-yard gain, but the Packers held there. A deflected pass by LB Nick Perry and a solid tackle by CB Demetri Goodson on third down led to a 36-yard field goal by K Matt Bryant for a 3-0 Atlanta lead.
The Packers quickly answered. After RB Don Jackson picked up a first down with a 7-yard run, QB Aaron Rodgers hit WR Jordy Nelson deep for a 58-yard gain to the Atlanta 7. Two plays later, Rodgers found Nelson again for a 5-yard TD, and the Packers took a 7-3 lead with 6:08 left in the quarter.
The Falcons needed just three plays to answer right back. A pair of passes to WR Julio Jones picked up 24 yards, and then WR Taylor Gabriel went deep. Ryan's perfect throw beat CB Demetri Goodson, and the 47-yard TD pass put the Falcons back up, 10-7.
The Packers got right back on the move. Passes to Nelson for 10, WR Davante Adams for 10, WR Trevor Davis for 6, and WR Jeff Janis for 10 put the Packers on the Atlanta 35.
After a loss of 6 on a shovel pass and a false-start penalty, Rodgers hit Adams coming out of the backfield for 22 yards to pick up a first down at the Atlanta 24 as the quarter expired.
