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| GB | 
| ATL | 
Falcons with a repeat performance in 34-23 win over Packers
ATLANTA (AP) New season. New stadium. Same ol' result.
Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons picked up where they left off against the Green Bay Packers, building a big halftime lead on the way to a dominating 34-23 victory Sunday night. The rematch of last season's NFC championship game was essentially a repeat: Ryan threw for 252 yards and a touchdown, Devonta Freeman had a couple of scoring runs, and Desmond Trufant darted to the end zone off an attempted pass by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers that was ruled a fumble.
''We came out aggressive,'' said Julio Jones, who had five catches for 108 yards. ''We did a great job and got after them.''
Back in January at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta earned a trip to the Super Bowl by racing to a 31-0 edge early in the third quarter on the way to a 44-21 blowout of the Packers.
In the first regular-season NFL game at $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium - and the first sporting event in which the facility's camera lens-like roof was open - the Falcons put on quite a show to mark the occasion.
They were ahead 24-7 at halftime and 31-7 less than a minute into the third period.
Unlike the Super Bowl , Atlanta (2-0) made sure this lead stood up.
Ryan threw for 201 yards in the first half, getting Jones involved in the offense. Freeman rushed for 84 yards, and Tevin Coleman chipped in with 42 on the ground plus a touchdown catch. Trufant not only scored a defensive touchdown, he came up with a crucial interception near the end of the first half.
''That's when we really come to light,'' coach Dan Quinn said. ''Different weapons. You never know who's going to be the one.''
After struggling a bit offensively in a season-opening victory at Chicago that was preserved with a goal-line stand in the closing seconds, the Falcons dominated right from the start in an early showdown for conference supremacy.
''If we get down to a tie-breaker, this game could be a big one,'' Rodgers said, already looking far down the road.
On the opening possession, Ryan guided a nine-play, 86-yard drive that was reminiscent of the league's highest-scoring team a year ago. Jones hauled in two passes for 53 yards and the Falcons didn't get to third down until they were at the Green Bay 1. Freeman powered in from there to make it 7-0.
The Packers (1-1) responded with a 75-yard drive of their own, capped by Ty Montgomery's 1-yard TD run. But it was downhill from there for Rodgers and his offense, which was missing both of its starting tackles and lost receiver Jordy Nelson early on with a quadriceps injury.
Atlanta led 17-7 after Freeman's second TD run from 2 yards out and Matt Bryant's 51-yard field goal. Then, the game totally got away from Rodgers and the Packers near the end of the first half. Three penalties in four plays - one a disputed offensive pass interference that wiped out a 36-yard gain - pushed Green Bay back to its own 3 before Rodgers lofted a terrible pass down the right sideline that was picked off easily by Trufant at the 36.
Ryan hit Mohamed Sanu with a 21-yard pass, setting up a 3-yard scoring pass to Coleman with 24 seconds remaining .
On the second play of the second half, Trufant turned it into a rout .
Rodgers was plastered by 2016 sack leader Vic Beasley Jr. attempting to throw, the ball wobbling out of his hand for what appeared an incomplete pass. But Trufant wisely scooped it up and scooted into the end zone for what was ruled a 15-yard touchdown. The call stood when the replay didn't show conclusively that the pass went forward.
''A big play by him with the interception at the end of the half,'' Quinn said, ''then a smart play to start the second half on the forced fumble.''
The Packers finally showed a bit of life with a couple of fourth-quarter touchdowns, including Rodgers' 300th career scoring pass .
It wasn't nearly enough.
INJURIES
Green Bay: Already short-handed up front, the Packers lost several more players during the game. Nelson was the most prominent injury, but also going down were defensive tackle Mike Daniel (hamstring), receiver Randall Cobb (shoulder) and cornerback Davon House (quad). In addition, backup safety Kentrell Brice was forced out by a groin injury.
Atlanta: On the first touchdown of the night, right tackle Ryan Schraeder was knocked out of the game with a concussion. The Falcons also lost Beasley (hamstring) and defensive lineman Courtney Upshaw (ankle).
MILESTONES
Rodgers' first touchdown pass came on a 33-yard, fourth-down pass to Davante Adams, who made a brilliant play to keep his feet inbounds while kicking the pylon. No. 300 for Rodgers was as short as you can get, a little left-handed shovel pass to Montgomery from the 1.
''They all count,'' Rodgers quipped.
Bryant's first field goal was his 200th since joining the Falcons in 2009, making him the first Atlanta kicker to reach that figure. He also connected in the third quarter from 53 yards.
UP NEXT
Green Bay: Return to Lambeau Field to face the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) next Sunday.
Atlanta: Travel to Detroit to take on the Lions (1-0), who face the New York Giants on Monday night.
---
Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/paul%20newberry
---
For more AP NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
| 
                    
                        
                            A. Rodgers
                        
                    
                    8 QB 343 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, INT, 8 RuYds  | 
                                    
                         
                            21
                         
                        
                            FPTS
                         
                     | 
                            |
| 
                    
                        
                            D. Freeman
                        
                    
                    34 RB 84 RuYds, 2 RuTDs, 16 ReYds, 2 RECs  | 
                                    
                         
                            21
                         
                        
                            FPTS
                         
                     | 
                            
| Team Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time of Pos | - | - | 
| 1st Downs | 0 | 0 | 
| Rushing | 0 | 0 | 
| Passing | 0 | 0 | 
| Penalty | 0 | 0 | 
| 3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| 4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 | 
| Total Plays | 0 | 0 | 
| Avg Gain | 0 | 0 | 
| Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 | 
| Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 | 
| Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 | 
| Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 | 
| Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 | 
| Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Touchdowns | ||
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 | 
| Passing TDs | 0 | 0 | 
| Other | ||
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 | 
| Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 | 
| Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Return Yards | ||
| Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 | 
| Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% | 
| Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% | 
| Safeties | 0 | 0 | 
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS | 
| 
                                         
                                                A. Rodgers 
                                                12 QB
                                             
                                                                                            21 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    A. Rodgers | 33/50 | 343 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS | 
| 
                                         
                                                T. Montgomery 
                                                88 RB
                                             
                                                                                            22 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    T. Montgomery | 10 | 35 | 1 | 7 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Cobb 
                                                18 WR
                                             
                                                                                            7 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    R. Cobb | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                A. Rodgers 
                                                12 QB
                                             
                                                                                            21 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    A. Rodgers | 2 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Williams 
                                                30 RB
                                             
                                                                                            0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    J. Williams | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS | 
| 
                                         
                                                D. Adams 
                                                17 WR
                                             
                                                                                            15 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    D. Adams | 10 | 8 | 99 | 1 | 33 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. Montgomery 
                                                88 RB
                                             
                                                                                            22 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    T. Montgomery | 7 | 6 | 75 | 1 | 23 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Cobb 
                                                18 WR
                                             
                                                                                            7 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    R. Cobb | 9 | 6 | 60 | 0 | 18 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Bennett 
                                                80 TE
                                             
                                                                                            4 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    M. Bennett | 11 | 5 | 47 | 0 | 18 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                G. Allison 
                                                81 WR
                                             
                                                                                            2 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    G. Allison | 5 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Rodgers 
                                                82 TE
                                             
                                                                                            2 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    R. Rodgers | 4 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. Davis 
                                                11 WR
                                             
                                                                                            0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    T. Davis | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Williams 
                                                30 RB
                                             
                                                                                            0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    J. Williams | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                A. Ripkowski 
                                                22 FB
                                             
                                                                                            0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    A. Ripkowski | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF | 
| 
                                         
                                                B. Martinez 
                                                50 ILB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    B. Martinez | 5-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Jones 
                                                27 SAF
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Jones | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                H. Clinton-Dix 
                                                21 FS
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    H. Clinton-Dix | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Randall 
                                                23 CB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Randall | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Brice 
                                                29 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    K. Brice | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                N. Perry 
                                                53 OLB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    N. Perry | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                C. Matthews 
                                                52 OLB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    C. Matthews | 2-3 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                Q. Rollins 
                                                24 CB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    Q. Rollins | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Burnett 
                                                42 SS
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. Burnett | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. King 
                                                20 CB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    K. King | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Lowry 
                                                94 DE
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Lowry | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. House 
                                                31 CB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. House | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Evans 
                                                25 DB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. Evans | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                G. Allison 
                                                81 WR
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    G. Allison | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Thomas 
                                                48 ILB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Thomas | 1-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Clark 
                                                97 NT
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    K. Clark | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Ryan 
                                                47 ILB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Ryan | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                Q. Dial 
                                                91 DT
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    Q. Dial | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Fackrell 
                                                51 OLB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    K. Fackrell | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Mays 
                                                32 RB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Mays | 0-0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS | 
| 
                                     
                                            M. Crosby 
                                            2 K
                                         
                                                                                    0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                M. Crosby | 1/1 | 28 | 2/2 | 5 | 
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG | 
| 
                                         
                                                J. Vogel 
                                                8 P
                                             
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Vogel | 3 | 39.7 | 1 | 47 | 
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD | 
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD | 
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS | 
| 
                                         
                                                M. Ryan 
                                                2 QB
                                             
                                                                                            16 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    M. Ryan | 19/28 | 252 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS | 
| 
                                         
                                                D. Freeman 
                                                24 RB
                                             
                                                                                            21 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    D. Freeman | 19 | 84 | 2 | 17 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. Coleman 
                                                26 RB
                                             
                                                                                            10 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    T. Coleman | 6 | 42 | 0 | 35 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Ryan 
                                                2 QB
                                             
                                                                                            16 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    M. Ryan | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. Gabriel 
                                                18 WR
                                             
                                                                                            1 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    T. Gabriel | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS | 
| 
                                         
                                                J. Jones 
                                                11 WR
                                             
                                                                                            10 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    J. Jones | 9 | 5 | 108 | 0 | 34 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                M. Sanu 
                                                12 WR
                                             
                                                                                            8 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    M. Sanu | 6 | 5 | 85 | 0 | 24 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Hardy 
                                                14 WR
                                             
                                                                                            1 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    J. Hardy | 2 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Freeman 
                                                24 RB
                                             
                                                                                            21 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    D. Freeman | 2 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. Gabriel 
                                                18 WR
                                             
                                                                                            1 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    T. Gabriel | 3 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                A. Hooper 
                                                81 TE
                                             
                                                                                            0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    A. Hooper | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                T. Coleman 
                                                26 RB
                                             
                                                                                            10 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    T. Coleman | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                A. Roberts 
                                                19 WR
                                             
                                                                                            0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    A. Roberts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF | 
| 
                                         
                                                R. Alford 
                                                23 CB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    R. Alford | 7-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Campbell 
                                                59 OLB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Campbell | 6-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                K. Neal 
                                                22 SS
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    K. Neal | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                B. Poole 
                                                34 CB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    B. Poole | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Jones 
                                                45 MLB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Jones | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                R. Allen 
                                                37 FS
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    R. Allen | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Riley 
                                                42 OLB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Riley | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Trufant 
                                                21 CB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Trufant | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                V. Beasley 
                                                44 OLB
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    V. Beasley | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Poe 
                                                92 DT
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Poe | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                J. Crawford 
                                                95 DE
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    J. Crawford | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                D. Shelby 
                                                90 DE
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    D. Shelby | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 
                                         
                                                A. Clayborn 
                                                99 DE
                                             
                                            
                                            
 
  | 
                                    A. Clayborn | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS | 
| 
                                     
                                            M. Bryant 
                                            3 K
                                         
                                                                                    0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                M. Bryant | 2/2 | 53 | 4/4 | 10 | 
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG | 
| 
                                         
                                                M. Bosher 
                                                5 P
                                             
                                            
 
  | 
                                    M. Bosher | 4 | 41.3 | 3 | 50 | 
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD | 
| 
                                         
                                                A. Roberts 
                                                19 WR
                                             
                                                                                            0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    A. Roberts | 2 | 15.5 | 16 | 0 | 
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD | 
| 
                                         A. Roberts 19 WR 
                                                                                            0 FPTS 
 
  | 
                                    A. Roberts | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |