Rodgers-Tonyan Connection Beats Atlanta Falcons, 30-16

Aaron Rodgers and his Packers aren’t stopping, with the team from Green Bay posting its fourth straight victory since the beginning of the season. Last night, the boys in green-yellow uniforms beat the Atlanta Falcons, 30-16, remaining perfect in 2020 season.

“I like where we’re at,” Rodgers said following the game. “I really do. I like the diversity in our approach.”

The Packers’ quarterback threw four touchdowns last night, three of them to Robert Tonyan, the 26-year old tight end, who was his primary target when it came to executing. Tonyan stepped up in the situation when Green Bay had three of its receivers sidelined for various reasons. Matt LaFleur couldn’t count on Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, and Marcedes Lewis for this contest.

Yet, that wasn’t a problem.

“Aaron had a nice little look in his eye tonight, so I just was trying to roll with that,” explained Tonyan. “Like I’ve said before, when plays come to me, I’ve got to make them.”

Tonyan’s TDs were decisive for the final result. He and Rodgers had a blitz in the late part of the first half, scoring two touchdowns in less than two and a half minutes. Rodgers connected with Tonyan for a 19-yard YD pass with 2:28 to go, and after that, for an 8-yarder with 46 seconds until the end.

That would hand the Packers a 17-point lead at the break, 20-3. Once Atlanta scored its first TD with 7:40 inside the third period, it seemed that Dan Quinn’s side reached a breath of fresh air. However, the Packs quickly stopped their swing with another Rodgers-Tonyan combination. This time it was a 21-yard pass that landed in the end zone.

Green Bay’s QB had four touchdown tosses in tonight’s match. Rodgers was 27 of 33 for 327 yards, again without an interception. Besides three to Tonyan, one pass for score went to Aaron Jones. Packs’ QB had 111 yards form the scrimmage, 71 on the ground, and 40 through the air. Tonyan ended the game with 98 receiving yards, Jamaal Williams with three fewer.

Robert Tonyan's third TD of the night! #GoPackGo @RobTonJr

📺: #ATLvsGB on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/DLrzavslwc pic.twitter.com/fmaFJ9t0qt

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2020

Za’Darious Smith sacked Matt Ryan three times, with the LB disrupting the entire offense of the guests. Overall, Falcons’ QB suffered four sacks, for 36 negative yards. He was under heavy pressure throughout the whole event, which is why he didn’t have a single TD pass.

Ryan threw for 285 yards, 28 of 38, without being picked or fumbling the football. Julio Jones picked up an injury during the second half, leaving the game and not returning. Arguably the best WR in the league had issues coming into this contest, with his hamstring being vulnerable.

The only one who was notable among the Falcons was Todd Gurley with two touchdowns. He didn’t have some shiny numbers when it comes to productivity; just 57 yards on 16 carries, but at least he managed to bring some points to Atlanta’s side.

With 0-4 record, the Falcons are in a bad position, and their head coach is in jeopardy of losing his job. Last night we saw Bill O’Brien’s departure from Houston, and that is something which could happen to Quinn in the near future. The strategist who led the Falcons to a Super Bowl strongly believes that the team has what it takes to bounce back.

“In my heart, in my head and everything I believe in, I know that we can,” Quinn said. “I know that the second quarter of our season will look a hell of a lot different from our first. That’s, in fact, what I told the team. Nothing’s been decided yet.”

Falcons have a clash with the Carolina Panthers next week, and that they need to win. Meanwhile, the Packers have a week off, after which they travel to Tampa Bay.