Packers, Falcons tied at 7 after one

GREEN BAY – The Falcons and Packers traded opening TD drives on Sunday at Lambeau Field and headed to the second quarter tied at 7.

The Falcons got the ball first and drove down the field for a touchdown, but not without some controversy. On back-to-back receptions by WR Julio Jones, covering 28 and 19 yards, Packers interim head coach Joe Philbin challenged both receptions. The Packers thought CB Jaire Alexander had dislodged the ball as Jones fell to the ground on the first one, and that Jones didn’t get both feet in bounds on the second one.

But both rulings stood, taking away Philbin’s challenges for the rest of the game, and four plays later Jones scored on a 16-yard reception on a crossing route, giving the Falcons the early lead.

The Packers quickly answered. QB Aaron Rodgers completed two throws to rookie WR Equanimeous St. Brown for 12 yards total to start, then hit WR Randall Cobb for 8, WR Davante Adams for 21 (on third-and-2) and rookie WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling for 14 for a first down in the red zone. Three plays later, Adams hauled in a 7-yard TD strike, and the game was tied.

Packers DL Kenny Clark exited the game on the second play of the Falcons’ next drive. RB Tevin Coleman ran three straight times for 19 yards, and TE Austin Hooper caught an 11-yard pass. RB Ito Smith then ran twice for 8, and QB Matt Ryan found WR Mohamed Sanu for 8 yards to convert on third-and-2. On the next third-and-2, Ryan lost the handle on the ball as he attempted to throw, and the ball went backwards for a 16-yard loss, with Coleman recovering for the Falcons.

K Matt Bryant then came up woefully short on a 53-yard field goal attempt, the Falcons’ first missed field goal of the season.

The Packers followed with a three-and-out, as a deep shot for TE Jimmy Graham on second down was broken up near the goal line. Rodgers was sacked on third down as the quarter expired.

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