Packers pull off an unlikely upset over the Falcons 33-25

By Darrell Laurant | Sunday, November 13, 2005 | ( 0 )

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Ryan Longwell lived up to his name Sunday afternoon in Atlanta, and Brett Favre lived up to his legend.

Longwell hit field goals of 41, 48, 18 and 46 yards, the last one set up by one of Favre's trademark scrambles, and the Green Bay Packers stunned the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome, 33-25.

Most stunning of all was the performance of Packer running back Samkon Gado, who rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns against a strong Atlanta defense. Just a few weeks ago, Gado was unemployed after being cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, and during an injury-plagued college career at Division 1-A Liberty University, he started only twice. His goal was to be a doctor.

Actually, the Green Bay Packers could have used another doctor this season as a tsunami of injuries washed away the team's top three running backs and two of its best wide receivers. Gado got his chance after Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport were lost for the season and Rashard Lee committed a costly fumble early in last week's game with Pittsburgh. His running style might best be compared to the Energizer Bunny -- he carries the ball a lot (25 times Sunday), and he never stops moving forward.

Green Bay wasn't given much of a chance against the Michael Vick - Warrick Dunn led Falcons, but the Pack seized the momentum early. Green Bay drove 74 yards to score on its first possession, Favre completing four passes for 60 yards (he threw for 252 on the day) and Gado scoring from nine yards out through a big hole ripped open by an inspired offensive line.

Moments later, Dunn fumbled when walloped from behind by Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Mark Roman recovered on the Atlanta Falcons' 21-yard line. Gado reeled off a 17-yard run, his longest of the day, then caught a short TD pass from Favre. Atlanta managed to tie the score on a 21-yard Vick-to-Dunn pass and Vick's short touchdown run, but Longwell's first field goal just before halftime put Green Bay ahead for good.

Atlanta committed six turnovers, the last one -- Roddy White's fumble that Nick Barnett returned to the Falcon two-yard line -- setting up Gado's third score and salting the game away.

The Green Bay Packers are now 2-7. The Atlanta Falcons fall to 6-3.

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