The Atlanta Falcons are currently sitting at 0-2, have yet to run a single play from the red-zone in 2026, and the offense has been as lifeless as it gets. But then again, that's what you expect what Cooper Rush is starting games--but this hasn't been the ideal start to the Kevin Stefanski era.
But with another week comes another opportunity to get back in the win column, and this week's opponent is the Green Bay Packers. Under the bright lights of primetime, the Falcons will head to Lambeau Field to face the Packers in Michael Penix Jr.'s first start since his November ACL tear.
According to The AJC's Daniel Flick, in six seasons as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kevin Stefanski went 5-0 on Thursday Night Football, and was 4-0 following a loss on Sundays. Hopefully that trend can continue to prevent Atlanta from dropping to 0-3, but reigning victorious will be easier said than done in a raucous road atmosphere.
The saving grace here is that both teams enter this one missing some key players. Green Bay's offense has struggled without Josh Jacobs, while the Dirty Birds are going to be without two defensive starters in A.J. Terrell (who was placed on IR) and edge rusher Samson Ebukam.
As you probably saw on this site already, I have been talking to expert on the Falcons' opponents leading up to their matchups, and as you again already saw, I spoke to Packers' expert and Lombardi Ave. site expert Freddie Boston on this Falcons-Packers matchup and Atlanta's hopes of pulling off the upset tonight.
Packers expert lets Falcons fans know what to expect in Week 3 on TNF
Q: Despite being 1-1, the Packers have gotten off to a shaky start to the 2026 season. What factors would you attribute the slow start to? Are you still confident in their chances of winning the NFC North?.
A: Confident? Probably not. But the NFC North does look wide open.
Offensive line issues are at the heart of the Packers' slow start. Jordan Love was under siege against Brian Flores' defense in Week 1, and the entire fourth-quarter collapse stemmed from poor protection. While it improved somewhat against the Jets, Love seemed to lack trust in his blockers, and who could blame him?
Alarm bells are ringing loudly. The Packers need to figure out their offensive line problem fast
Q: Speaking of the Packers' slow start, I've seen a lot of buzz about Matt LaFleur's job security. Would you say that Matt LaFleur is on the hot seat right now, and do you think they should consider moving on from him?
A: I think opinions inside and outside the walls of 1265 Lombardi Ave differ wildly. Packers fans already have their pitchforks out, but I don't get the sense there's any real jeopardy over Matt LaFleur's job. Not yet, at least.
The team handed LaFleur a multi-year extension in the offseason and expressed full confidence in him. That doesn't make him immune to pressure if the Packers' season falls apart, but I think we're a long way off LaFleur truly having to worry about his job.
The Packers lost both Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs in free agency and likely won't have Jayden Reed on Thursday night. But with A.J. Terrell now on IR, the Falcons will be down their top corner, so should they be more worried about neutralizing Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, or a mix of both?
A: It's both. Love is targeting Watson and Golden early and often, and they've both contributed with some big-time plays in the opening two weeks. Watson has 10 catches on 19 targets for 188 yards, while Golden has 10 catches on 18 targets for 153 yards. The only notable difference is Watson finding the end zone three times.
Watson's home-run ability makes him the scarier prospect of the two – he's impossible to stop with the ball in open space, as he proved on his 81-yard touchdown catch-and-run against the Vikings. But Golden is showing breakout signs. He's getting open with ease.
Both receivers had some uncharacteristic drops in the rain at MetLife, but either one could go big on Thursday night.
Q: One of the most important storylines entering this matchup is that the Packers again won't have Micah Parsons. How has the pass-rush (and this defense) fared without him? Who has stepped up in his absence?
A: Surprisingly well. It was a concern all summer long, but Jonathan Gannon has to be delighted with the pass rush through two games. Lukas Van Ness is beginning to look like the No. 13 overall pick, with 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hits already. He has already surpassed last season's sack total.
Per PFF, Van Ness' nine pressures are tied for seventh among all edge rushers. He's had some support, too, with Brenton Cox Jr., rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton, and Karl Brooks combining for 14 pressures, while Edgerrin Cooper has two sacks.
Q: Without Josh Jacobs we've seen Green Bay's run game struggle to get going. What do you think the Packers need out of MarShawn Lloyd or Kaleb Johnson to change that?
A: MarShawn Lloyd made some bad reads against the Jets and missed some potentially big gains. Vision might be his biggest issue right now. Kaleb Johnson looked more threatening.
Neither running back had much to work with, though, and it comes back to the offensive line woes. Josh Jacobs is one of the best in the league at fighting for yards after contact, and the Packers miss that. Lloyd needs to improve, but it's tough work running behind this line.
Q: Who were the big training camp/summer standouts for the Packers? Who impressed the most through the first two games?
A: Matthew Golden and Lukas Van Ness were among the summer standouts, and it's translating into regular-season success. Both have made an immediate impact. Another standout was rookie offensive lineman Jager Burton. The Packers were forced to give him some reps against the Jets due to injuries at guard, and he passed his first test by not allowing a single pressure. Keep an eye on Burton if he gets a chance on Thursday.
Q: The Falcons' offense has struggled to date, but Michael Penix Jr. is set to make his first start of the season on Thursday? How do you think the Packers' defense match up not only with Penix, but this Atlanta offense as a whole compared to if Cooper Rush was starting again?
A: The Falcons' weapons are undoubtedly a concern, but Jonathan Gannon's defense has looked up to the challenge. Running backs are averaging just 2.9 yards per carry against the Packers, the second-lowest in the league. Gannon is finding ways to generate pressure – Van Ness is on fire, but the Packers have also gotten creative by pulling out some corner blitzes.
Penix's return will make it tougher, no doubt, but the Packers will believe they can make life difficult for him.
Q: What is the biggest strength of the Packers' roster and one area of weakness the Falcons could exploit in Week 3?
A: The weakness is an easy answer: the offensive line. Expect Za'Darius Smith to cause a few problems in his return to Lambeau Field. It'll be his mission to spoil the day in Green Bay's home opener, and he looks as good as ever.
The Packers' strength is Jordan Love and the passing game. Even when Brian Flores had a Vikings defender in Love's lap on seemingly every play in Week 1, Love still found a way to generate multiple explosive plays and throw for 387 yards and two touchdowns - he had a pick on a deflected pass.
Green Bay's line is an issue, as is the run game, but Love is talented enough to overcome that, especially with Watson, Golden, and Tucker Kraft to lean on.
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