Bijan Robinson delivered a spectacular performance, racking up 194 rushing yards and finding the end zone twice as the Atlanta Falcons took advantage of quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s return and overwhelmed the Green Bay Packers with a 35-14 victory on Thursday night. The Falcons, now standing at 1-2, erased an early 7-0 deficit by stringing together 27 unanswered points, a surge that unfolded amid a chorus of boos echoing through Lambeau Field. Atlanta's ground attack proved dominant, accumulating 242 rushing yards compared with Green Bay's modest 17 on the ground. The loss marked the first time the Packers have been defeated in a home opener since a 30-22 setback to the San Francisco 49ers back in 2012.
That defeat ended a remarkable stretch of 13 consecutive home-opening wins that spanned from 2013 through 2025, a streak that 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 left‑ACL suffered in a November 16 loss to Carolina, completed 18 of 25 pass attempts for 256 yards, threw one touchdown and one interception.
This was his first meaningful action since the injury, and his presence helped revive an Atlanta offense that had been nearly stagnant during the first two weeks of the season when Cooper Rush was at the helm. The Falcons' offensive resurgence was also fueled by the connection between Robinson and rookie wide receiver Drake London, who both surpassed 150 yards from scrimmage in the same game – a first for any pair of teammates at Lambeau Field. London hauled in nine receptions for 194 yards, providing a deep‑threat complement to Robinson's ground dominance. On the other side of the ball, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love completed 28 of 53 attempts for 312 yards, delivering two touchdowns but also throwing an interception.
The Packers' rushing attack was anemic, with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combining for just 17 yards on eight carries. The offensive line struggled with injuries: left guard Aaron Banks was sidelined with a toe issue, 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 fifth‑round pick Jager Burton, a former Kentucky player, earned his first career start at left guard, while 2025 second‑rounder Anthony Belton took over at right tackle.
Discipline problems that plagued Green Bay in its opening two games resurfaced on Thursday. The Packers opened the contest with a 7-0 lead and seemed poised to extend it when Brenton Cox Jr. was flagged for roughing the passer on a third‑and‑11 play late in the first quarter. The penalty gave Atlanta a fresh set of downs, and Robinson seized the opportunity with a 55‑yard rush that set up his own three‑yard touchdown run, shifting momentum in the Falcons' favor.
Throughout the first two weeks of the season, Green Bay had already accumulated an NFL‑high 26 penalties, a trend that continued to hinder their ability to sustain drives. Robinson's lengthy run also allowed Atlanta to finally snap inside the opponent's 20‑yard line for the first time this season. Prior to this game, the Falcons had been the first team since the 2008 Rams to go the first two weeks without a single red‑zone play.
The Falcons capitalized on that breakthrough, dominating the remainder of the first half and heading into the locker room with a 17-7 advantage. Special teams contributed to the growing gap when Nick Folk drilled a 44‑yard field goal with 4:48 left in the second quarter. Later, Zach Harrison blocked Trey Smack's 47‑yard field‑goal attempt, and Penix capitalized on the ensuing short field by delivering a five‑yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper on third‑and‑goal with just 59 seconds remaining before halftime. The second half began with Green Bay squandering a red‑zone chance on its opening drive, as Love failed to connect with Christian Watson on a fourth‑and‑one play from the seven-yard line.
Atlanta answered by extending its lead to 24-7 on the next possession, highlighted by Brian Robinson's seven‑yard touchdown run that capped a 10‑play, 92‑yard drive. Folk added a 31‑yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, pushing the Falcons' lead further. Love managed to find the end zone with a 15‑yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden with 8:18 left, but the damage was already done. Bijan Robinson sealed the victory with a two‑yard rushing touchdown, completing his dominant performance.
Beyond the scoreboard, the game underscored several broader themes for both franchises. For Atlanta, the return of Penix signaled a potential turning point in a fledgling offense that had struggled to generate momentum without a fully healthy quarterback. The synergy between Robinson and London suggested a dynamic dual‑threat that could keep defenses guessing throughout the season. Conversely, Green Bay's inability to protect its quarterback, coupled with an injury‑plagued offensive line and a penalty habit, highlighted areas needing immediate attention if the Packers hope to reclaim their early‑season dominance.
Looking ahead, the Falcons will aim to build on this decisive win, hoping to translate the confidence gained from a commanding performance into consistency over the remaining schedule. Meanwhile, the Packers must address their line injuries, improve discipline, and find ways to diversify their offensive play‑calling to avoid reliance on a single quarterback under pressure.
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