Packers booed as Matt LaFleur says team got a "butt-whooping" in 35-14 home loss to Falcons
The Green Bay Packers lost 35-14 to the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field on Thursday, and head coach Matt LaFleur said his team got a "butt-whooping." Their own supporters booed as the Falcons dominated after Green Bay had opened the scoring.
Atlanta had been beaten 34-3 at home by the Carolina Panthers on Sunday but produced 27 unanswered points at Lambeau Field to turn the game decisively in their favour. The Falcons amassed 498 yards of offence, including 242 rushing yards, while Green Bay totalled 328 yards with just 17 from nine carries.
LaFleur described the margin bluntly, saying: "They had 500 yards of offence, we had whatever it was - it was a butt-whooping." He added: "I'm not going to put it on one thing. We definitely have to respond better but that was at least a three-quarter butt-whooping right there."
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr's return from knee surgery was cited as helping Atlanta recover after a slow start to the season, and the Falcons' offence featured several standout performances. Running back Bijan Robinson rushed for two touchdowns and 194 yards and added 19 receiving yards, while Drake London recorded 194 receiving yards from nine catches; Brian Robinson Jr scored one of the Falcons' four touchdowns.
Green Bay opened the scoring through a Christian Watson touchdown, but Atlanta responded with scores from Bijan Robinson, Austin Hooper and Brian Robinson Jr, and kicker Nick Folk added two field goals. Matthew Golden's touchdown provided Green Bay with a late score, but Bijan Robinson's second touchdown late in the game sealed an emphatic Falcons victory.
The Packers were already without Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs and had lost two offensive linemen to injury in last week's win at the New York Jets, a combination noted in the aftermath of the defeat. Both teams now hold 1-2 records.
Green Bay will visit Tampa Bay next Sunday, while the Falcons travel to divisional rivals New Orleans a week on Monday.