The Atlanta Falcons face off against the Green Bay Packers in a Monday Night Football matchup at Lambeau Field. Here are pictures of gameday.
RB Steven Jackson runs for a touchdown
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball through the line.
WR Julio Jones fights through tackles after a catch.
WR Eric Weems catches a kick-off.
T Jake Matthews blocks his cousin, Packers' Clay Matthews
T Jake Matthews and his cousin Green Bay Packers Clay Matthews
Head Coach Mike Smith
RB Steven Jackson celebrates with QB Matt Ryan after scoring a touchdown
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball through the line.
WR Julio Jones makes a big catch in the second half
LB Joplo Bartu waits for the play.
T Jake Matthews blocks his cousin, Packers' Clay Matthews
LB Paul Worrilow breaks up a touchdown pass in the second half
QB Matt Ryan scrambles with the ball.
WR Julio Jones comes down with the ball
RB Jacquizz Rodgers runs the ball.
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass.
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball.
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball.
WR Julio Jones grabs the ball
WR Julio Jones is tackled after making a catch.
WR Eric Weems celebrates his touchdown
WR Julio Jones makes a catch as Packers' Micah Hyde comes in to make the tackle
WR Roddy White on the field before the game.
WR Julio Jones runs after making a catch
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball.
The Atlanta Falcons special teams attempts to block a kick by Packers K Mason Crosby.
RB Steven Jackson fights for yards on a run.
QB Matt Ryan warming up before the game.
WR Eric Weems stretches before the game.
QB Matt Ryan
T Ryan Schraeder
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball.
QB Matt Ryan warms up before the game.
Head coach, Mike Smith
CB Robert McClain
WR Eric Weems stretches before the game.
Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter
QB Matt Ryan warms up his arm before the game.
S William Moore
WR Harry Douglas and WR Eric Weems head to the field
K Matt Bryant
WR Julio Jones
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Wide receiver Julio Jones. While Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers could easily be considered for this spot after leading the Packers to 22 first downs in the first half and a dominant lead at halftime, Jones took over the second half with a memorable Monday Night Football performance. His 259 yards on 11 catches against Green Bay sparked the Falcons and allowed the team to climb back from a 31-7 deficit.
PLAY OF THE GAME: For the Falcons there's no doubt it was Jones' 79-yard reception on the opening drive of the second half. Jones' catch-and-run put the Falcons in position to start chopping away at that massive Green Bay lead and provided what the offense would need throughout the half.
"It definitely sparked us and gave us that fire to come out and compete to fight our tails off," fullback Patrick DiMarco said.
TURNING POINT: It's tough to argue that Jones' 79-yard reception didn't also serve as the turning point. Atlanta could easily have laid down after a 31-7 halftime deficit, but that play added a fire to the offense it had started to miss late in the first half.
INJURY ROUNDUP: Safety William Moore left the game in the first quarter with a foot injury and was announced as questionable to return. He did not come back into the game. … Defensive tackle Paul Soliai left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. He returned to the game in the second half. … Safety Kemal Ishmael left with a head injury in the third quarter and did not return to the game. … Wide receiver Julio Jones left the game late in the fourth quarter with a hip injury and did not return to the game.
JULIO-MY: We all know Jones is a special player, but perhaps even with all the ups and downs of the 2014 season, he's really starting to show just how special he can be. Jones racked up an impressive 259 receiving yards Monday night, the second straight week he set a career high in the statistic. Jones' effort against the Packers sets the franchise record for receiving yards in a game, besting Roddy White's 210 yards against San Francisco in 2009.
"Julio each week is getting better and better," teammate Harry Douglas said. "He's the dominant force that we all knew he would be, and he's showing why we took him in the draft when we took him. I've got 100 percent faith in Julio. He's a gamer. He's a baller. Whenever you can see a person you're close to like that progress each year and each week, it's a blessing."
SHORT WEEK UPCOMING: The Falcons have no time to dwell on Monday's loss as they're already a day behind in getting ready for Pittsburgh. The Falcons face the Steelers on Sunday in the Georgia Dome and preparations get underway Wednesday.
