The Green Bay Packers survived against the New York Jets to snap a six-game losing streak that dates back to last December, but they don't have time to waste with Thursday Night Football up next.
Green Bay has won its past 13 home openers and can add to that incredible run by taking down the struggling Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Atlanta has lost its opening two games, including an embarrassing 34-3 defeat to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. However, the Falcons will have quarterback Michael Penix Jr. available for the first time this season when they visit Lambeau Field.
It's an opportunity for the Packers. The NFC North is wide open. The Detroit Lions were embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills last week, while the Chicago Bears struggled in defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. Caleb Williams' injury adds further uncertainty.
As we move closer to TNF, we'll have the latest updates about the game right here, including injuries and storylines. Be sure to bookmark the page and check back regularly.
Last updated: Thursday, September 24 at 5:58 p.m. CT
How to watch Packers vs. Falcons in Week 3
- Date: Thursday, September 24
- Time: 7:15 p.m. CT
- TV Network: Prime Video
- Announcers: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung
Packers vs. Falcons inactives and injury updates
Packers inactives
- T Zach Bako-Bewele
- WR Jayden Reed
- OL Aaron Banks
- DT Warren Brinson
- DT Anthony Campbell
The Packers won't have wide receiver Jayden Reed or right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele available, potentially for a while. Reed suffered a neck injury after a scary hit in Week 2, and one play later, Bako-Bewele went down with a season-ending knee injury. He revealed on Tuesday that he suffered a completely torn patellar tendon.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Packers are "still evaluating the best treatment and recovery time frame."
The offensive line concerns increased against the Jets. Left guard Aaron Banks (knee/toe) is officially out of Thursday Night Football, which means Donovan Jennings, who is off the injury report despite injuring his hand, may get the start at left guard.
Defensive tackles Warren Brinson (calf) and Anthony Campbell (ankle) are also out, but Javon Hargrave will return after missing Week 2.
Falcons inactives
- QB Cooper Rush (3rd QB)
- QB Jack Strand
- CB Malcolm DeWalt IV
- CB Robert Longerbeam
- DE Samson Ebukam
- OL Ethan Onianwa
The biggest news in Atlanta is at quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. practiced in full on Monday and is good to go. He was named the starter earlier this week. Tua Tagovailoa is also available after recovering from an oblique injury.
The Falcons no longer have to start Cooper Rush at quarterback, who threw for just 229 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions, a woeful 42.5 passer rating, in the team's 0-2 start.
Atlanta has placed star cornerback A.J. Terrell on injured reserve, ruling him out for four games. He battled through a shoulder issue to play in Week 2 but later left with a groin injury.
Weather forecast for Packers vs. Falcons
The Packers struggled to deal with rainy conditions at MetLife last week, fumbling five times (they fortunately only lost one), but the early forecast suggests a much drier evening for this game.
According to AccuWeather, there's only a 6 percent chance of rain at Lambeau Field on Thursday night, with clear skies expected. We'll take that.
Storylines to watch for Packers in Week 3
Who starts along the offensive line, and who's healthy?
The Packers' offensive line has been a major question mark so far this season, and there's even more uncertainty now.
Zach Bako-Bewele is out for the rest of the season, which makes Anthony Belton the starter at right tackle. But with Aaron Banks ruled out, does Jager Burton finally start, or will they stick with Donovan Jennings? Who are the backups? Travis Glover? The newest addition to the practice squad, Cordell Volson?
There are almost endless questions up front and it's a major concern.
Can the Packers' offense bounce back?
Despite all of the Packers' offensive line issues against Brian Flores' defense in the season opener, they still generated 419 total yards, including 387 through the air. The problem is that it all fell apart in the fourth quarter, and the offense hasn't recovered since.
The protection was much better in Week 2 against the Jets (that's a low bar to clear, admittedly). Not perfect by any means, but better. Love, though, seemed to lack trust in the five starters ahead of him, and he was about as uncertain in the pocket as we've seen from him. It's hard to blame him.
If ever there were a get-right game, this is it.
Atlanta's defense had no answer for Bryce Young in Week 2, who threw for 287 yards with three touchdown passes in the Panthers' 34-3 blowout win. The Falcons have been much tougher against the run, but Love can take advantage of a secondary missing A.J. Terrell.
Can Jonathan Gannon's defense handle the Falcons' weapons?
While the Falcons have problems at quarterback, the same can't be said of the supporting cast. The Packers have plenty to worry about, with Bijan Robinson, Brian Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts coming to town.
Gannon's unit has impressed so far, particularly against the run, allowing just 2.9 yards per carry through two games – only the Los Angeles Chargers have a better record. Opponents haven't exactly dominated them through the air, either, with the Packers owning the No. 8 pass defense at this early stage of the season.
A big reason is a pass rush that has already generated seven sacks, powered by the dominant play of Lukas Van Ness. That has been one of the surprise positives, especially with Micah Parsons still sidelined.
Za'Darius Smith returns to Lambeau Field
Speaking of pass rushers, the Packers will see a familiar face on the other sideline. Za'Darius Smith came out of retirement to sign with the Falcons this summer, and he has flown out of the gates, making 2.5 sacks in the opening two games.
Not much has gone right for the Falcons, but Smith's play is one of the few positives. That's a concern for a struggling Packers' offensive line that will likely have Anthony Belton and Jacob Monk starting on the right side.
Green Bay knows as well as anyone how Smith can take over a game. That can't happen on Thursday night.
Prediction
Packers 27, Falcons 17
After successfully predicting a walk-off Trey Smack field goal last week, I'm feeling pretty good about this one. Yes, there are questions about the offensive line. Yes, Jordan Love is coming off a rough game. But the Falcons are in disarray. Four days after Bryce Young tore apart their secondary, Love could do the same.
Jonathan Gannon's defense has made an impressive start, and they should have enough to restrict the Falcons' many weapons on offense. Michael Penix Jr. returning will help, but it's not exactly like he has dominated in his NFL career to date.
In 14 games, Penix has completed just 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions, with an 85.8 passer rating. And he's coming off a major injury.
The Packers make it 14 consecutive wins in home openers, a record dating back to 2013.
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