Falcons pull off thrilling last-minute win against the Packers

It looked like the Atlanta Falcons weren’t going to be able to pull off a win against the visiting Green Bay Packers, but they managed to do so with a late-game touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Mohamed Sanu for a final score of 33-32.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 246 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. With Eddie Lacy on injured reserve and James Starks inactive due to injury, Rodgers was also the Packers’ leading rusher in the loss with 60 yards on the ground.

The Packers were also missing wide receiver Randall Cobb and tight end Jared Cook, but Rodgers still managed to spread the ball around. Aside from Jordy Nelson, Rodgers hit three different receivers — Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis and Geronimo Allison — for their first career touchdown receptions.

For the Falcons, the win snaps a two-game losing streak, and fans can stop worrying about a repeat of last season, when Atlanta started 6-1 and then hit a six-game losing streak to finish 8-8. The Falcons took care of the football and didn’t commit any turnovers against the Packers, but penalties were a problem. They finished the day with seven penalties for 46 yards.

Atlanta was missing one key player, too, with running back Tevin Coleman sidelined with a hamstring injury. Terron Ward, who was activated from Atlanta’s practice squad to fill in for Coleman, was the Falcons’ leading rusher with 46 yards.

After the Packers scored late in the fourth quarter on a 7-yard pass to Janis and Rodgers extended Green Bay’s lead to six points with a two-point conversion, the Falcons had an opportunity to regain a lead. They did so with just 31 seconds remaining on an 11-yard pass from Ryan to Mohamed.

Green Bay had one more opportunity to finish with a win, trailing 33-32, but the Falcons’ defense, which had struggled to contain Rodgers all day, forced a three-and-out, securing the win.