GREEN BAY, Wis. – Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones turned in a dominating and record-breaking performance to help lead a furious rally before leaving the game with was announced as a hip injury.
He set a franchise record with 259 yards receiving as he caught 11 passes out of 17 targets and scored one touchdown.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Falcons receiver Roddy White set the previous record of 210 yards receiving set at San Francisco in 2009.
The 259-yard bundle of explosive plays was the top performance by any receiver in the NFL
this season, besting Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins who posted 238 yards in a game against the Tennessee Titans earlier this season.
Jones’ 259 yards were the most by a receiver in a single game since Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon posted 261 yards on 14 catches in December of last season.
Let’s move on to the grades.
GAME BALL: Julio Jones (see above).
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
C-minus – Quarterback: Matt Ryan overcame and early interception to lead the rally. He completed 24 of 39 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns. He registered a passer rating of 116.9. Ryan has led the Falcons to a 37-4 record when he posts a passer rating of 100-or-higher during his career, including a 3-2 record this season. The interception was grisly and the main reason his grade is so low.
D – Running backs: The Falcons rushed for 91 yards on 24 carries. Running back Steven Jackson has 16 carries for 50 yards. The team's longest run from scrimmage was a 15-yard scramble by quarterback Matt Ryan.
A — Wide receivers/Tight ends: Julio Jones finished with 11 catches (on 17 targets) for a franchise-record and career-high 259 yards and a touchdown. The Packers had no answer for Jones, who left the game with a hip injury with under three minutes to play. Roddy White, Harry Douglas and Eric Weems all caught touchdown passes.
C-plus — Offensive Line: There were no holes in the run game. Matt Ryan was sacked once and hit four times. Jon Asamoah left the game with a back injury. Gabe Carimi took over for him at right guard. Left tackle Jake Matthews had another solid outing. Asamoah and Schraeder were playing well together. Carimi gave up one hurry on eight passing snaps. He played 13 snaps.
D — Defensive line: Defensive end Kroy Biermann was shook in the open field by Aaron Rodgers on his 10-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson. Biermann was spying him on the play before he got shook. Paul Soliai left the game, but returned. The Packers were able to get to the outside of the defense on their stretch runs and take advantage of the outside running lanes.
D — Linebackers: Paul Worrilow (five), Joplo Bartu (four) and Prince Shembo (five) were not stout against the run.
C-minus — Defensive backs: Falcons safety Dwight Lowery led the team in tackles with 13 and he forced a fumble. William Moore left the game with a foot injury and did not return. Cornerback Desmond Trufant had five tackles and one pass defensed.
C-minus — Special teams: The Falcons had a field goal blocked and couldn't spring returner Devin Hester, who averaged 26.3 yards on six kickoff returns. Also, the onside kick attempts were not very good nor creative.
C-minus — Coaches: The Falcons called another pass play on third-and-1 on their second position. The stop allowed the Packers to pull ahead. The defensive plan was to keep Rodgers from taking deep shots. The Falcons dropped back and normally sent just four rushers. The coaches must receive some credit for getting the team to play in the second half, when they could have checked out after being down 24 points at the half.
NEXT UP: The Falcons (5-8) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
About the Author
