Bijan Robinson delivered a spectacular performance, racking up 194 rushing yards and finding the end zone twice, as the Atlanta Falcons seized a 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The win came shortly after quarterback Michael Penix Jr. returned to the lineup, and it unfolded amid a chorus of boos echoing through Lambeau Field. Atlanta, now sporting a 1-2 record, erased an early 7-0 deficit by stringing together 27 unanswered points, effectively taking control of the game.
The Falcons outgained the Packers on the ground by a wide margin, amassing 242 rushing yards compared to Green Bay's meager 17. The loss marked the Packers' first home opener defeat since a 30-22 setback to the San Francisco 49ers back in 2012. That defeat ended a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive home opener victories that spanned from 2013 to 2025, a run that tied the NFL record held by the Miami Dolphins, who also won 13 straight home openers between 1976 and 1988.
Penix, making his first appearance since tearing the ACL in his left knee during a November 16 loss to Carolina, completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. Atlanta had struggled offensively in the first two weeks of the season, relying on Cooper Rush to start at quarterback, but Penix's return injected much‑needed momentum. Robinson and wide receiver Drake London made history by becoming the first pair of teammates to each record at least 150 yards from scrimmage against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
London hauled in nine receptions for 194 yards, providing a potent aerial complement to Robinson's ground assault. Green Bay's quarterback Jordan Love threw for 312 yards, completing 28 of 53 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception. However, the Packers' rushing attack sputtered, as MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combined for just 17 yards on eight carries.
Love contended with an offensive line that was missing key pieces: left guard Aaron Banks was sidelined with a toe injury, and right tackle Zach Bako‑Bewele suffered a torn patellar tendon that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. In response, rookie Jager Burton, a fifth‑round pick from Kentucky, earned his first career start at left guard, while 2025 second‑rounder Anthony Belton took over at right tackle.
Discipline issues that plagued Green Bay in its opening two games resurfaced on Thursday. The Packers initially led 7-0 and appeared to force a third‑and‑11 incompletion late in the first quarter, only for Brenton Cox Jr.
to be penalized for roughing the passer. On the very next play, Robinson broke free for a 55‑yard run that set up his own three‑yard touchdown sprint, shifting momentum firmly to Atlanta. Throughout the first two weeks, Green Bay had been flagged for an NFL‑high 26 penalties, a trend that continued to hinder their ability to sustain drives. Robinson's lengthy carry also gave Atlanta its first opportunity inside the opponent's 20‑yard line this season, a milestone the Falcons had not achieved since the 2008 Rams, who went the first two weeks of that season without a single red‑zone play.
The Falcons dominated the remainder of the first half, entering the halftime break with a 17-7 lead. Nick Folk extended Atlanta's advantage by nailing a 44‑yard field goal with 4:48 left in the second quarter. After Zach Harrison blocked Trey Smack's 47‑yard field‑goal attempt, Penix connected with tight end Austin Hooper on a five‑yard touchdown pass on third‑and‑goal with just 59 seconds remaining before the half.
In the second half, Green Bay squandered a red‑zone chance on its opening drive when Love failed to find Christian Watson on a fourth‑and‑one from the seven‑yard line. Atlanta answered by widening the gap to 24-7 on its next possession, capped by Brian Robinson's seven‑yard touchdown run that concluded a 10‑play, 92‑yard drive. Folk added a 31‑yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but Love managed to rally his team with a 15‑yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden with 8:18 left on the clock.
However, the Falcons sealed the contest when Bijan Robinson capped the scoring with a two‑yard touchdown run, cementing a 35-14 triumph. The game highlighted the stark contrast between the two franchises: Atlanta's balanced attack, bolstered by a healthy Penix and a dominant ground game, versus Green Bay's injury‑plagued line and recurring penalty woes. The Falcons' ability to string together long runs and capitalize on red‑zone opportunities underscored their offensive versatility, while the Packers will need to address both discipline and personnel gaps if they hope to rebound.
Looking ahead, the Falcons aim to build on this momentum, hoping to translate their early-season success into a playoff run. Meanwhile, the Packers must regroup, tighten up their protection schemes, and find ways to reduce costly penalties that have already cost them dearly in the opening weeks. Fans can continue to follow the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every minute of the playoffs and the upcoming Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. For those interested in flexible viewing options, Sky Sports offers the latest deals and the ability to stream games without a contract via the NOW platform.