The Inexperienced Bay Packers (1-1) will try to win their second recreation in 5 days when Matt LaFleur’s workforce hosts the Atlanta Falcons (0-2) for the house opener at Lambeau Subject on “Thursday Night time Soccer” to open Week 3 of the NFL season. That is the primary of 9 residence video games for the Packers through the common season. Can the Packers kick off the house schedule with a primetime win in Michael Penix Jr.’s return to the sphere for the Falcons?
5 issues to observe and a prediction for Week 3:
Commercial
Contents
1. Rebuilt offensive line
Every little thing begins with the offensive line, which will not have starters Zach Bako-Bewele (knee, out for season) and Aaron Banks (toe, dominated out) towards the Falcons. With out Bako-Bewele and Banks, count on Anthony Belton to begin at proper sort out, whereas both Donovan Jennings or rookie Jager Burton will begin at left guard. Atlanta does not blitz a ton, however Jeff Ulbrich’s protection is producing stress on 41.7 p.c of opponent dropbacks, rating seventh total. This will likely be a problem for the offensive line, which hasn’t blocked effectively sufficient within the run or go recreation. Can returning residence assist settle the offensive entrance? The Packers will likely be inconsistent on offense till the road settles.
2. Bottling up Bijan
Solely 4 gamers have extra whole touches than Bijan Robinson via two video games. The Falcons needed to funnel their complete offense via Bijan whereas beginning backup quarterbacks through the first two weeks, so do not count on Atlanta to be fairly as one-dimensional on Thursday evening. However containing Robinson, the offense’s coronary heart and soul, continues to be the largest key for the Packers protection. Put the sport in Michael Penix Jr.’s palms in his first begin again from a knee damage. The Packers are permitting solely 2.9 yards per rush and have a workforce run stuff price of over 20 p.c. Robinson can be a harmful pass-catcher (79 catches a 12 months in the past), so the Packers must know the place No. 7 is on each snap.
Commercial
3. Who begins quick?
Beginning quick is at all times vital, however it’s particularly vital on Thursday nights. The Packers will likely be coming off a street extra time recreation and have some accidents alongside the offensive and defensive traces. The Falcons simply misplaced 34-3 and are touring away from residence on a brief week. Each groups will wish to construct some confidence early on Thursday evening after shaky begins to the 2026 season. The Packers have to play with vitality and urgency to begin the house opener. The Falcons may very well be a determined workforce coming off final week’s loss, and so they’ll get a spark with the return of their quarterback.
4. The return of Z
Former Packer edge rusher Za’Darius Smith is returning to Inexperienced Bay as the highest pass-rusher for the Falcons. He leads the workforce with 2.5 sacks and eight pressures throughout solely 34 pass-rushing snaps. Smith may be 34 years outdated, however he nonetheless seems slippery and harmful as a rusher. Additionally, former Bear defensive lineman Gervon Dexter has been wonderful from the inside, producing eight pressures. For an offensive line needing to search out its footing, the Packers should maintain Smith and Dexter out of the backfield on Thursday evening.
Commercial
This may be a Packers workforce that should win with protection and particular groups early on within the 2026 season. And contemplating the struggles of the Falcons offense to begin the 12 months, it is potential Thursday evening will function loads of punts. Does Skyy Moore have an encore? He’s trying like a field-flipping weapon to begin 2026. Till the offense stabilizes, it is potential the Packers will want a few quick fields to attain sufficient to win. Takeaways are one option to create a brief discipline, however an extended kick or punt return is all of a sudden a potential avenue for the Packers particular groups.
Prediction: Packers 20, Falcons 16 (2-0)
On a scale of 1-10, my confidence degree in a Packers victory just isn’t excessive, perhaps a 5 or 6. If the Falcons had any type of pulse, this may really feel like a real toss up recreation given the state of the offensive line, and the way a lot of what has ailed the Packers is centered on the offensive line’s play via two weeks. That mentioned, if there is a extra troubled offensive workforce getting into Week 3, it is the Falcons, who’re returning their quarterback however nonetheless have huge issues. Total, the Packers protection has been an actual energy, so even when Inexperienced Bay’s offense struggles to maintain drives as soon as once more, I believe a takeaway or two will most likely swing the sport in the correct path. Successful ugly would possibly simply be the way in which ahead till the rebuilt offensive line settles in. Protection. Particular groups. Do not mess it up on offense. That needs to be the plan for Thursday evening.
This text initially appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Falcons: 5 issues to observe and a prediction for Week 3