Bijan Robinson delivered an impressive performance, racking up 194 rushing yards and crossing the end zone twice as the Atlanta Falcons took advantage of quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s return to secure a 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Atlanta, now 1-2 on the season, erased an early 7-0 deficit by unleashing a 27-point streak that swung the momentum in their favor, all while a chorus of jeers echoed through Lambeau Field. The Falcons outgained the Packers on the ground, 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 in 2012.
Green Bay had previously enjoyed a streak of 13 consecutive home‑opening victories from 2013 through 2025, tying the NFL record set by the Miami Dolphins 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 pass attempts for 256 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.
Atlanta's offense had sputtered during the first two weeks of the season while Cooper Rush was at the helm, making Penix's return a pivotal moment for the Falcons. 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, complementing Robinson's ground assault.
For Green Bay, quarterback Jordan Love completed 28 of 53 attempts, throwing for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Packers' rushing attack was nearly nonexistent, with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combining for just 17 yards on eight carries. Love's protection was compromised by injuries on the offensive line.
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. Rookie Jager Burton, a fifth‑round pick from Kentucky, earned his first career start at left guard, while 2025 second‑rounder Anthony Belton filled in at right tackle. Discipline issues that plagued Green Bay in its opening two games resurfaced on Thursday. The Packers opened the contest with a 7-0 lead 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 burst through for a 55‑yard run that set up his own three‑yard touchdown rush. Throughout the first two weeks, Green Bay had been flagged for an NFL‑high 26 penalties, a trend that continued in this matchup and further hampered their ability to sustain drives.
Robinson's long run also gave Atlanta its first snap inside an opponent's 20‑yard line of the season. Until then, the Falcons had been the first team since the 2008 Rams to go through the first two weeks without a single red‑zone rushing attempt.
The Falcons dominated the remainder of the first half, entering halftime with a 17-7 advantage. In the second quarter, kicker Nick Folk extended Atlanta's lead with a 44‑yard field goal with 4:48 left on the clock. After a blocked 47‑yard attempt by Trey Smack, Penix connected with tight end Austin Hooper on a five‑yard touchdown pass on third‑and‑goal with just 59 seconds remaining before the break. Green Bay squandered a red‑zone chance early in the second half when Love failed to find Christian Watson in the end zone on a fourth‑and‑one from the seven‑yard line.
Atlanta responded by widening the gap 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, but Love managed a late‑game strike, throwing a 15‑yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden with 8:18 left on the clock. The Falcons sealed the contest when Bijan Robinson punched in a two‑yard touchdown run, bringing the final score to 35-14.
The game highlighted Atlanta's resurgence with Penix back under center, a revitalized rushing attack led by Robinson, and a balanced passing game that kept Green Bay's defense guessing. For the Packers, injuries on the line and a continued lack of discipline proved costly, ending a historic streak of home‑opening victories.
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