yardbarker
When the 2026 NFL season kicked off, expectations were higher for the team that would ultimately lose Thursday night's clash. But after three weeks, the trajectories of the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers have reversed dramatically.
Atlanta marched into Lambeau Field and dismantled Green Bay 35-14, leaving little doubt about which team was better prepared.
Green Bay's defense, still missing Micah Parsons, had no solution for Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, who exploded for 194 yards on the ground. Brian Robinson Jr. contributed 50 rushing yards of his own, ensuring the Packers' struggles weren't limited to stopping one player.
While Green Bay fans have every right to be worried about their defense, the bigger concern is an offense that appears broken. Jordan Love, now in his fourth year as the full-time starter, was expected to elevate his play and guide the Packers on a deep playoff run, mirroring the success of his predecessors. Instead, he never found a rhythm.
Love finished 28-of-53 for 312 yards, but much of that production came in the fourth quarter after the game was already out of reach. He threw two touchdown passes and a late interception, yet he couldn't consistently push the ball downfield or use his mobility to create plays. Entering the game with a completion rate of just 52.1%, Love has shown signs of regression early in the season.
In Week 2, he managed only 145 passing yards as the Packers narrowly escaped the New York Jets 20-17. In the season-opening loss to the rival Minnesota Vikings, he threw for 387 yards but the team scored just 22 points. With MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combining for a mere 17 rushing yards, the absence of Josh Jacobs has left the offense one-dimensional and easy to defend.
Assuming the defense improves once Parsons returns, the offense must find life for it to matter. The Packers simply couldn't stop Robinson, who averaged 6.7 yards per carry on 29 attempts. He also added 19 receiving yards and scored twice, using his speed and athleticism to exploit holes created by the offensive line.
Selected by Atlanta as the No. 8 overall pick in 2023, Robinson is on pace for another stellar season after surpassing 1,400 rushing yards in consecutive years. He now has 349 rushing yards on the season and hopes his Week 3 performance sparks more electrifying play.
While the Falcons' first win doesn't necessarily make them a team to watch just yet, the pressure is squarely on Packers head coach Matt LaFleur to fix the 1-2 Packers—and do it fast.
Originally reported by yardbarker.