Final
Coverage: NBC
8:20 PM ET, October 9, 2011
Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
Top Performers
Passing: A. Rodgers (GB) - 396 YDS, 2 TD
Rushing: M. Turner (ATL) - 16 CAR, 56 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: J. Jones (GB) - 5 REC, 140 YDS, 1 TD
ATLANTA -- Aaron Rodgers was down early, but hardly down and out.
In the end, the result was the same.Another win for the Super Bowl champs in Atlanta.More From ESPN.com
The Packers sent the Falcons into a spin last January. Sunday night showed Atlanta's still stuck there, writes Pat Yasinskas. Blog
A Repeat Performance?
The Packers became the first defending Super Bowl champion since the 2007 Colts to win their first five games. Two of the last five defending champs to start with at least five wins have gone on to repeat.
Defending Champions to Win 1st 5 Games
12-team Playoff Format (Since 1990)
| Team | Started | Postseason result |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Packers | 5-0 | ? |
| 2007 Colts | 7-0 | L, Div Playoffs |
| 2004 Patriots | 6-0 | W, Super Bowl |
| 2000 Rams | 6-0 | L, Wild Card |
| 1998 Broncos | 13-0 | W, Super Bowl |
| 1990 49ers | 10-0 | L, NFC Championship |
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Half The Battle
Sunday's loss for the Falcons was just their second under Mike Smith when leading at halftime, snapping a 23-game win streak.
Losses When Leading At Halftime
Falcons Under Mike Smith
| 2008 | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| Week | 11 | 5 |
| Opponent | Broncos | Packers |
| Halftime lead | 6 | 8 |
| Result | L, 24-20 | L, 25-14 |
| * - Mike Smith became head coach in 2008 | ||
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Top Fantasy Performers
Looking for Week 5's fantasy football stars and busts? Stay up to date with ESPN.com's scoring leaders.
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Game notes
The Falcons lost two members of their secondary in the first half. Safety William Moore went out with a shoulder injury, while nickel back Chris Owens was sidelined by a head injury. ... Charlie Peprah and Jarrett Bush had interceptions for the Packers. ... Jones went out early in fourth with a hamstring injury after running a deep route down the sideline. ... Atlanta RB Michael Turner has gone three straight games without reaching 100 yards. He was held to 56 on 16 carries.
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ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 9: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers heads to the field for the game against the...
(Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)Team Stat Comparison
GB | ATL | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 19 | 18 |
Passing 1st downs | 14 | 11 |
Rushing 1st downs | 5 | 5 |
1st downs from Penalties | 0 | 2 |
3rd down efficiency | 9-15 | 5-11 |
4th down efficiency | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Total Plays | 63 | 55 |
| Total Yards | 426 | 251 |
| Yards per play | 6.8 | 4.6 |
| Total Drives | 10 | 10 |
| Passing | 369 | 156 |
Comp - Att | 26-39 | 18-32 |
Yards per pass | 9.5 | 4.9 |
Interceptions thrown | 0 | 2 |
Sacks - Yards Lost | 4-27 | 1-11 |
| Rushing | 57 | 95 |
Rushing Attempts | 20 | 22 |
Yards per rush | 2.9 | 4.3 |
| Red Zone (Made-Att) | 0-3 | 2-2 |
| Penalties | 6-55 | 5-44 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
Fumbles lost | 1 | 0 |
Interceptions thrown | 0 | 2 |
| Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Possession | 33:11 | 26:49 |
Scoring Summary
| FIRST QUARTER | GB | ATL | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD | 08:15 | Roddy White 5 Yd Pass From Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant Kick) | 0 | 7 | |
| SECOND QUARTER | GB | ATL | |||
| TD | 12:26 | Michael Turner 1 Yd Run (Matt Bryant Kick) | 0 | 14 | |
| FG | 05:26 | Mason Crosby 32 Yd | 3 | 14 | |
| FG | 00:08 | Mason Crosby 35 Yd | 6 | 14 | |
| THIRD QUARTER | GB | ATL | |||
| FG | 05:28 | Mason Crosby 56 Yd | 9 | 14 | |
| TD | 03:42 | James Jones 70 Yd Pass From Aaron Rodgers (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) | 15 | 14 | |
| FOURTH QUARTER | GB | ATL | |||
| TD | 14:51 | Greg Jennings 29 Yd Pass From Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby Kick) | 22 | 14 | |
| FG | 01:10 | Mason Crosby 30 Yd | 25 | 14 | |
Research Notes
Matt Ryan was effective on the first two drives of the game, as he threw for 80 yards and guided the Falcons to 14 points. Ryan struggled the rest of the game, however, as the Falcons were held scoreless and he threw for only 7 more yards than he did on the first two drives. [+]Matt Ryan Passing
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NEXT LEVEL: Matt Ryan's passing fortunes depended on how deep he threw the ball Sunday night. Ryan, on passes shorter than 10 yards, completed 75 percent and threw his only touchdown. When he threw the ball 11 or more yards, he completed only 25 percent and was picked off twice. [+]Matt Ryan by Throw Distance
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NEXT LEVEL: Aaron Rodgers entered Week 5 as the league leader in play-action completions (32), yards (506) and touchdowns (5). On Sunday against the Falcons, Rodgers completed 5-of-11 passes off play-action for 134 yards and two touchdowns though he had vastly different results based on which feature back was on the field. [+]Aaron Rodgers Play-Action Passing
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Mike McCarthy becomes just the third Packers head coach to start 5-0, joining Vince Lombardi and Curly Lambeau. Needless to say, his name might be REALLY famous sometime down the line... [+]Packers Head Coaches To Start Season 5-0 - Franchise History
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Losses When Leading At Halftime | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| Week | 11 | 5 |
| Opponent | Broncos | Packers |
| Halftime lead | 6 | 8 |
| Result | L, 24-20 | L, 25-14 |
| * - Mike Smith became head coach in 2008 | ||
Longest Active Win Streaks - When Leading At Halftime
| Steelers | 15 |
| Saints | 10 |
| Chargers | 8 |
| Ravens | 7 |
| *Falcons 23-game streak snapped Sunday | |
Fewest Int at Time of 100th Career Pass TD - NFL History
| Int | Date of 100th TD | |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Rodgers | 34 | Sunday |
| Philip Rivers | 43 | Dec. 13, 2009 |
| Dan Marino | 44 | Sept. 7, 1986 |
The Packers became the first defending Super Bowl champion since the 2007 Colts to win their first five games. Two of the last five defending champs to start with at least five wins have gone on to repeat.
Defending Champions to Win 1st 5 Games
12-team Playoff Format (Since 1990)
| Team | Started | Postseason result |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Packers | 5-0 | ? |
| 2007 Colts | 7-0 | L, Div Playoffs |
| 2004 Patriots | 6-0 | W, Super Bowl |
| 2000 Rams | 6-0 | L, Wild Card |
| 1998 Broncos | 13-0 | W, Super Bowl |
| 1990 49ers | 10-0 | L, NFC Championship |
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