In a game they desperately needed to win, the Packers did just that, shaking off a double-digit halftime deficit to win 22-21 against the Falcons at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Packers quarterback Matt Flynn connected with tight end Andrew Quarless on a two-yard touchdown with 12:01 left in regulation for the final margin of victory for Green Bay (6-6-1), which trailed 21-10 at the half. The touchdown was set up after the Packers’ Mike Neal forced Matt Ryan to fumble on a sack, with defensive lineman Johnny Jolly recovering for Green Bay.
The Falcons (3-10) had their chances down the stretch, but they couldn’t quite break through. First, Matt Bryant missed a 52-yard field goal with less than seven minutes left. Then, in the first play after the two-minute warning, the Falcons were stopped on a 4th-and-5 play at the Green Bay 33, as tight end Tony Gonzalez couldn’t haul in a Ryan pass that wasn’t quite on target.
Finally, on Atlanta’s last drive in the final minute, Harry Douglas dropped a pass that would have advanced the ball into Green Bay territory. On the next play, Ryan was intercepted by Jarrett Bush, which sealed the game for Green Bay.
With the win, the Packers are just a half-game behind Detroit (7-6) in the NFC North.
Flynn completed 24-of-32 passes for 258 yards with one TD and one interception for the Packers, who snapped a five-game winless streak. In defeat, Ryan threw for 206 yards with two TDs and one pick on 20-of-35 passing for Atlanta.