Bijan Robinson delivered a standout performance, rushing for 194 yards and crossing the end zone twice as the Atlanta Falcons took advantage of quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s return and routed the Green Bay Packers 35-14 on Thursday night. The Falcons, now 1-2, overcame an early 7-0 deficit by scoring 27 unanswered points, a surge that unfolded amid a chorus of boos echoing through Lambeau Field. Atlanta's ground game proved dominant, amassing 242 rushing yards compared with Green Bay's modest 17. The loss marked the Packers' first home opener defeat since a 30-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 2012, snapping a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive home opener victories that spanned from 2013 to 2025—a record they shared with the Miami Dolphins, who also won 13 straight home openers between 1976 and 1988.
Penix, returning from a torn ACL suffered in a November 16 loss to Carolina, completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. This was his first meaningful action since the injury, and his presence helped stabilize an Atlanta offense that had struggled to generate any momentum during the first two weeks when Cooper Rush was at the helm.
Robinson and wide receiver Drake London made history by becoming the first 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 rushing dominance. On the other side, Green Bay's quarterback Jordan Love completed 28 of 53 attempts for 312 yards, delivering two touchdowns but also throwing an interception. The Packers' running backs, MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson, combined for a meager 17 yards on eight carries, underscoring the team's inability to establish a credible ground threat.
Love operated behind an offensive line hampered by 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 season. Rookie Jager Burton, a fifth‑round selection from Kentucky, earned his first career start at left guard, while 2025 second‑round pick Anthony Belton took over at right tackle. Despite these adjustments, the Packers continued to struggle with discipline, a theme that reappeared on Thursday.
After initially leading 7-0, Green Bay appeared to force a third‑and‑11 incompletion late in the first quarter, but a roughing‑the‑passer penalty on Brenton Cox Jr. nullified the play.
On the very next snap, Robinson burst through for a 55‑yard run, setting up his own three‑yard touchdown rush. The Packers have been penalized at an alarming rate, committing an NFL‑high 26 penalties in the first two weeks of the season, a trend that has contributed to stalled drives and lost field position. Robinson's long run also gave Atlanta its first opportunity inside the opponent's 20‑yard line this season; prior to that, the Falcons were the first team since the 2008 Rams to have no red‑zone plays in the opening two weeks.
Atlanta seized control of the first half, entering the locker room with a 17-7 lead. Kicker Nick Folk extended the advantage with a 44‑yard field goal with 4:48 remaining in the second quarter.
After Zach Harrison blocked Trey Smack's 47‑yard attempt, Penix connected with tight end Austin Hooper on a five‑yard touchdown pass on third‑and‑goal with just 59 seconds left before halftime. The second half began with Green Bay squandering 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 responded by widening the gap to 24-7 on the next possession, as Brian Robinson (no relation to Bijan) punched in a seven‑yard touchdown after a methodical 10‑play, 92‑yard drive.
Folk added a 31‑yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to 27-7. Love managed to find some rhythm, throwing a 15‑yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden with 8:18 left, but the damage was already done. Bijan Robinson capped the scoring with a two‑yard rush, sealing a 35-14 victory for the Falcons.
Beyond the box score, the game highlighted several broader storylines. Atlanta's resurgence under Penix suggests the quarterback may finally be returning to his pre‑injury form, providing a much‑needed spark to an offense that had looked stagnant early in the year. Robinson's explosive performance reaffirms his status as one of the league's premier running backs, capable of breaking long runs and finishing at the goal line.
Meanwhile, the Packers' inability to protect their quarterback and maintain discipline on the field raises questions about their preparation and depth, especially with key linemen sidelined. Looking ahead, the Falcons will aim to build on this momentum, hoping to translate their early-season success into a playoff push. For Green Bay, the loss serves as a stark reminder that even a historically strong home‑opener streak can be broken when injuries and penalties combine to undermine execution.
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