Heading into Thursday Night Football, it's important for Atlanta Falcons to know that these aren't your daddy's Green Bay Packers. During the Aaron Rodgers era, they had a terrific offense but were often let down by their defense, which could never seem to come up with a stop when they needed it in big games.
These days it's the other way around, as Green Bay has a pedestrian offense paired with an elite defense.
Despite not having Micah Parsons in the lineup, the Packers have started out the year strong on this side of the ball. Heading into Week 3, Green Bay ranks fifth in fewest yards allowed and have been effective against both the run and the pass.
Meanwhile, the Packers are particularly vulnerable on offense right now as star running back
Josh Jacobs remains in limboon the Commissioner's Exempt List and they'll be missing two of their offensive line starters: right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and left guard Aaron Banks.
That's good news for the Falcons' defensive front-seven, which has been surprisingly sharp despite missing top two edge rushers, Jalon Walker and James Pearce.
Through two games defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has fielded the stingiest run defense in the NFL and one of the better pass rushes, allowing just 63 yards per game on the ground and ranking in the top five in pressures despite blitzing less often than only one other team in the league so far.
The Packers also have two defensive tackles listed as questionable: Javon Hargrave and Anthony Campbell will likely be game-time decisions.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Packers injury report provides sliver of hope for Falcons
