The Atlanta Falcons desperately need a victory tonight.
The Atlanta Falcons are headed into a Thursday night showdown with the Green Bay Packers in a game that is about as close as you can get to a must-win here in the early portion of the season.
Sitting at 0-2 following two absolutely dreadful offensive performances, it's a bit of a reset button for Atlanta with Michael Penix Jr. back on the field which should change things drastically. Still, teams do not climb out of 0-3 holes often, and Atlanta is desperate for the kind of performance that gets them their first win.
Here are three keys to victory to help the Falcons get in the win column for the first time in the Kevin Stefanski era.
Don't Put Too Much on Penix
While Penix is of course a dramatic upgrade from Cooper Rush and Jack Strand, it's likely he is still going to be a bit rusty and need some time to settle into the game rather than coming out slinging it. Atlanta's passing attack should be instantly improved, however letting him get going with some quick throws not to mention success running the ball could go a long way.
In an ideal world, the defense looks more like it did Week 1 than Week 2 and Penix is able to let the game come to him rather than having to keep up with Green Bay.
Contain Jordan Love
Love and the Packers offense have looked a bit disjointed to begin the year, and the Falcons need to make sure that continues. Not allowing him to get going, bringing a constant pass rush and playing bend but don't break will go a long way towards helping Penix be able to do his job effectively.
Make Love uncomfortable early on and you have a much better chance to win the game.
Special Teams, Special Teams, Special Teams
Despite the fact that he has been one of the most accurate kickers in football the last two years, Nick Folk has missed three field goals over the first two weeks. This did not make much of a difference in Week 2 of course, but this is a game that should come down to a possession or two, and the Falcons need to get points every time they have the chance.
A big play in the return game from Zachariah Branch would go a very long way as well in giving Penix and the offense a short field, or even finding a way to steal some points on a return touchdown.
