Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Atlanta 34 at Green Bay 37 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Atlanta Falcons: Mike Vick looks legit as a starting QB. He held together well in the pocket when facing blitzes and made his progressions smoothly, often finding his 3rd or 4th option when he needed to. He also didn't hesitate to run the ball if the situation deemed it necessary. Scored on a called bootleg. Did give up sacks and take hits where he should have thrown the ball away. Not a big deal now but something to watch should he take a beating week after week. Warrick Dunn is clearly the focus of the running game both in the Red Zone and between the 20's. Was not lifted at the Goalline. Duckett got some spot carries but Dunn was definitely the focus of the running game. Green Bay Packers: Ahman Green had three fumbles in this game. This is potentially huge because it was fumbling that got him moved out of Seattle. They may not all show up in the box score but he put the ball on the ground on three occasions. Left the game with a stomach injury but returned and looked fine. Favre didn't seem to lock in on any one receiver. He spread that ball around well between his RBs, WRs, and TEs. Still has the fire and excitement of a kid playing out there. Terry Glenn's debut as a Packer was solid but not spectacular. One big play in each half for a total of 60 yards. Although he did look comfortable in the new offense. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Atlanta Falcons QB: Mike Vick - Stood up well against a decent Packer pass rush. Threw all of his passes with accuracy going 10-10 to start the game. Designed runs were also very effective for him. One mistake he made often was throwing the ball too hard to receivers running short routes when he was under pressure. Should have had another TD pass that TE Reggie Kelly dropped. WR: Willie Jackson- Starter. Looked like Vick's go-to guy early in the game and was targeted often in the first quarter. He did have a catch and fumble late in the first half that seemed to cost him some looks in the second half. JJ Stokes - Brian Finneran- Not much of a factor with just two catches. Did drop a wide-open pass that would have netted 20-30 yards. RB: Warrick Dunn- The starter and main ball carrier for the whole game. He ran up the middle effectively and he used his speed to get the corner on pitchouts. Was particularly effective on screens and as an outlet receiver for Vick. Ran hard in the red zone and was not lifted for Duckett at the goal line. T.J. Duckett - Used pretty sparingly in the running game but had a nice per-rush average of 6.5 yards. A non-issue in the passing game with just one catch for zero yards. Was not inserted in the red zone as some people had thought. Did show good burst up the middle and good speed to get to the corner. TE: Alge Crumpler- Just two catches but had the touchdown. Reggie Kelly - Dropped a sure touchdown pass in the second half. Did not have any catches on the day. Falcons Pass Defense: Put decent pressure on Favre and recorded two sacks. Falcons Rush Defense: Just couldn't stop Ahman Green. Kept falling for a draw play from a fake reverse. GB ran the play 5-6 times in the game for significant yards every time. Falcons Special Teams - Jay Feely was 2 for 2 with one coming from 52 yards. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Green Bay Packers QB: Brett Favre - Spread the ball around effectively to all of his receivers and didn't seem locked in to anyone in particular. Made all of the throws effectively, especially the shorter crossing routes to his RBs and TEs. Eight different receivers caught passes. WR: Donald Driver - Made the most of his targets from Favre. Had some nice catches in traffic that gave Favre the confidence to keep throwing to him. Did draw a 52-yard pass interference penalty early in the game that could have been a huge catch. Terry Glenn - Solid but not spectacular. Got open and made the catches from the slot position but wasn't heavily targeted by Favre. Javon Walker - Finished with just 4 catches but had the touchdown. Favre clearly has confidence in him as the TD was from the Red Zone at the end of the 3rd Quarter in a tight game. Really got involved in the running game with some excellent downfield blocking. RB: Ahman Green - Ran very hard both inside and outside. Used a ton in the passing game and responded well. Did come out of the game in the second half with a stomach injury that gave the goal line carry and touchdown to Rondell Mealey. The injury was not severe and Green did finish the game. Was stuffed on a 1 yard run at the Atlanta goal line. William Henderson - Got the goal line call and scored from 1 yard out. Could be trouble for Green if this continues but Henderson only got the call when Green couldn't get in. Rondell Mealey - A very effective spot filler for Green. Ran hard up the middle and around the end. Had a nice 11-yard catch and run. TE: David Martin- Just two catches but had the TD. Split time and targets pretty evenly with Bubba Franks. Maybe the ugliest "Lambeau Leap" in history. Packers Pass Defense had a tough time keeping Vick in the pocket. They did sack him 4 times but let him break containment on numerous occasions. Vick is such a special athlete that no defense will be able to keep him bottled up all night. Packers Rush Defense was nothing special, allowing high y.p.c. averages for all three Atlanta runners. Packers Special Teams had a fair day. Ryan Longwell missed a 42-yard attempt wide-left but hit the 34-yard attempt to win the game.