5 Winners and Losers from Packers Week 2 Loss to Falcons

The Green Bay Packers were 15 minutes away from beginning the season 2-0 with two road victories. They led 24-12 heading into the fourth quarter, but could not garner any more points nor stop the Atlanta Falcons before falling 24-25 for their first loss of the season.

It was a tough way to go out for Green Bay, but it should be considered a great learning opportunity for the youngest team in the NFL. The Packers played hard until the end and should hold their heads high because of it.

Let’s delve into the Packers’ winners and losers from their Week 2 loss to the Falcons.

Here are five winners and losers from the Green Bay Packers embarrassing Week 2 meltdown at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons.

Packers Winner: Daniel Whelan and Anders Carlson

Through two games, Anders Carlson is showing everyone why the Packers’ coaching staff stuck with him through thick and thin throughout the preseason. After being perfect in the season-opener, he made his lone field goal attempt (a 33-yarder) and all three of his extra points.

Daniel Whelan also showed off his leg, booming punt after punt against the Falcons. He punted fourth times for a 49.8-yard average and a long of 59. Green Bay went young at both specialist positions, but they’ve been solid to start the season.

Packers Loser: AJ Dillon

Dillon is entering the final year of his contract and had a golden opportunity on Sunday to prove his worth to future suitors. With Aaron Jones down with a hamstring injury, Dillon was the lead back. Unfortunately, he was terrible, carrying the rock 15 times for only 55 yards–a 3.7 yards per carry average. He looked lackluster and often fell over on the first tackle attempt. He shouldn’t be in Green Bay’s long-term plans unless something changes.

Packers Loser: Joe Barry

Joe Barry and this defense promised dramatic changes this season and we saw some of it in their season-opener. However, it was more of the same in Week 2. The Packers’ defensive backs were often lined ten or more yards behind the line of scrimmage, allowing the Falcons to throw all the short passes and screens they wanted to. That played right into their hands and gave them some easy yardage throughout the entire game. This unit gave up 446 total yards, including 211 on the ground, and looked like their usual Swiss cheese selves.

Packers Winner: Rookie Wide Receivers

The bright side is that the Packers’ rookie wide receivers stepped up in Jones and Christian Watson’s absence and look like the real deal. Dontayvion Wicks had two receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown, while Jayden Reed had four catches for 37 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie tight end Luke Musgrave added another two receptions for 25 yards. The Packers look like they have something with this group of pass-catchers.

Packers Loser: Injuries

Green Bay was missing their three best offensive players to start the game–David Bakhtiari, Jones and Watson–and lost Elgton Jenkins in the middle of it. Jenkins reportedly sprained his MCL and will undergo further testing on Monday to determine the severity. Hopefully, they can get the former three back next week, but it’s looking like Jenkins will be out for several weeks at a minimum.