Bijan Robinson delivered a standout performance, rushing for 194 yards and scoring two touchdowns, as the Atlanta Falcons seized a 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The win came shortly after the Falcons reinstated quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who guided the offense with confidence and helped the team dominate the contest. Atlanta, now 1-2 on the season, overcame an early 7-0 shortfall by piling on 27 unanswered points, a surge that unfolded amid a chorus of boos echoing through Lambeau Field. The Falcons’ ground attack proved decisive, amassing 242 rushing yards compared with the Packers’ meager 17 on the ground.
The loss marked a historic moment for Green Bay. The Packers suffered their first home‑opening defeat since a 30-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 2012, snapping a streak of 13 consecutive home‑opening victories that had spanned from 2013 through 2025. That run had tied the NFL record set by the Miami Dolphins, who also won 13 straight home openers between 1976 and 1988. Penix, returning from a torn ACL in his left knee sustained during a November 16 loss to Carolina, completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
This was his first meaningful action since the injury, and his poise helped steady an Atlanta offense that had struggled to generate momentum during the first two weeks of the season when Cooper Rush was at the helm. Robinson’s explosive play was complemented by wide receiver Drake London, who together became the first pair of teammates to record at least 150 yards from scrimmage each against the Packers at Lambeau Field. London hauled in nine receptions for 194 yards, providing a potent aerial threat that kept the Green Bay defense on its heels.
On the other side of the ball, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love completed 28 of 53 attempts for 312 yards, throwing for two touchdowns but also tossing an interception. The Packers’ running game sputtered, with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combining for just 17 yards on eight carries. Their offensive line was hampered by injuries, missing left guard Aaron Banks, who was dealing with a toe issue, and right tackle Zach Bako‑Bewele, who suffered a torn patellar tendon that will sideline him for the remainder of the season.
Rookie Jager Burton, a fifth‑round selection from Kentucky, earned his first start at left guard, while 2025 second‑round pick Anthony Belton took the snap at right tackle. Despite these new faces, the Packers continued to struggle with discipline, a theme that had plagued them in the opening two games and resurfaced on Thursday.
The game opened with Green Bay taking a 7-0 lead, and a potential third‑and‑11 incompletion was nullified when Brenton Cox Jr. was penalized for roughing the passer. On the very next play, Robinson broke free for a 55‑yard rush that set up his own three‑yard touchdown run, shifting momentum to Atlanta. Penalties have been a glaring issue for the Packers, who entered the season with an NFL‑high 26 infractions over the first two weeks.
Robinson’s long run also gave Atlanta its first snap inside the opponent’s 20‑yard line of the season, a milestone the team had not reached since the 2008 Rams, who similarly failed to run any red‑zone plays in the first two weeks of that campaign. The Falcons continued to dominate the first half, heading into the break with a 17-7 advantage. Kicker Nick Folk extended the lead with a 44‑yard field goal with 4:48 remaining in the second quarter.
After a blocked 47‑yard field‑goal attempt by Trey Smack, Penix connected with tight end Austin Hooper on a five‑yard touchdown pass on third‑and‑goal, giving Atlanta a 24-7 lead just before halftime. In the second half, Green Bay squandered a red‑zone opportunity on its opening drive when Love failed to find Christian Watson on a fourth‑and‑one from the seven‑yard line. Atlanta responded by stretching the lead to 24-7 on the next possession, as Brian Robinson capped a 10‑play, 92‑yard drive with a seven‑yard touchdown run. Folk added a 31‑yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, pushing the score to 27-7.
Love managed to get a late‑game score, throwing a 15‑yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden with 8:18 left, but the Falcons sealed the outcome when Bijan Robinson punched in a two‑yard rushing touchdown, finalizing a 35-14 victory. The game highlighted the stark contrast between the two franchises. Atlanta’s offense, now back under Penix’s leadership, displayed balance and explosiveness, while Green Bay’s defense struggled to contain a versatile attack that combined power running with precise passing. The Packers will need to address both their disciplinary issues and the injuries plaguing their offensive line if they hope to rebound in the weeks ahead.
Looking ahead, the Falcons aim to build on this momentum, hoping to translate their red‑zone efficiency and dynamic playmaking into a sustained winning streak. For the Packers, the focus will shift to repairing their line, reducing penalties, and finding consistency at quarterback as they attempt to halt a troubling slide.
Fans can continue to follow the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every game, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Viewers also have the option to explore the latest Sky Sports subscription deals or stream games without a contract via the NOW platform.