Bijan Robinson delivered an outstanding performance, rushing for 194 yards and scoring two touchdowns, 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. The Falcons, now 1-2, overcame 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, amassing 242 rushing yards compared to Green Bay's meager 17.
The loss marked a historic moment for the Packers, who suffered their first home opener defeat since a 30-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. Prior to this game, Green Bay had enjoyed a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive home opener victories spanning from 2013 to 2025, a record they shared with the Miami Dolphins, who also recorded 13 straight home opener wins between 1976 and 1988. Penix, returning from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered 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 struggled in the first two weeks of the season, relying on Cooper Rush as the starter, but Penix's return injected the much‑needed spark. Robinson and rookie 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.
Green Bay's quarterback Jordan Love threw 28 of 53 passes for 312 yards, connecting on two touchdowns but also throwing an interception. The Packers' running game faltered, with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combining for just 17 yards on eight carries. Love operated behind 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 season.
In response to those injuries, 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. Unfortunately for Green Bay, discipline issues that plagued them in their first two games resurfaced on Thursday.
After initially leading 7-0, the Packers forced what appeared to be a third‑and‑11 incompletion late in the first quarter, only to have Brenton Cox Jr. penalized for roughing the passer. The very next play saw Robinson break free for a 55‑yard rush, setting up his own three‑yard touchdown run.
Green Bay entered the contest with an NFL‑high 26 penalties over the first two weeks, a trend that continued to hinder them. Robinson's explosive run also gave Atlanta its first snap inside an opponent's 20‑yard line of the season, a milestone the Falcons had not reached since the 2008 Rams, who were the last team to go two weeks without a red‑zone rushing attempt.
Atlanta continued to dominate the first half, entering the halftime break with a 17-7 lead. Nick Folk extended the Falcons' advantage with a 44‑yard field goal with 4:48 remaining in the second quarter.
After Zach Harrison blocked Trey Smack's 47‑yard field‑goal attempt, Penix capitalized on a third‑and‑goal situation, delivering a five‑yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper with just 59 seconds left before halftime. The second half began with Green Bay squandering a red‑zone opportunity on their opening drive; Love failed to find Christian Watson in the end zone 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, further widening the gap. Love managed to connect on a 15‑yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden with 8:18 left, but the Falcons sealed the game when Bijan Robinson punched in a two‑yard rush for his second touchdown of the night. Beyond the scoreboard, the game highlighted several broader themes for both franchises.
For Atlanta, the return of Penix not only revived their passing attack but also seemed to lift the entire offensive unit, providing a balanced attack that forced the Packers to defend both the air and the ground. Robinson's near‑200‑yard rushing total underscored his emergence as a premier dual‑threat back in the league, capable of breaking long runs and finishing in short‑yardage situations. Drake London's 194 receiving yards demonstrated the Falcons' ability to stretch the field, giving Penix a reliable target downfield.
Conversely, Green Bay's loss exposed lingering concerns about depth and discipline. The injuries to key offensive linemen left Love exposed, contributing to the high number of sacks and pressures the Packers endured. Moreover, the continued penalty problems—now a league‑leading 26 in just two weeks—highlighted a need for stricter coaching and better on‑field focus.
The Packers' inability to convert red‑zone opportunities, coupled with a stagnant rushing attack, suggests that their offensive scheme may need adjustments to better support Love and to diversify their play‑calling. Looking ahead, the Falcons will aim to build on this momentum, hoping that Penix can stay healthy and continue to develop chemistry with his receivers while Robinson remains a constant threat on the ground.
For the Packers, the challenge will be to regroup, address the offensive line injuries, and curb the penalty woes that have already cost them dearly. Both teams have clear paths forward, and the remainder of the season promises to be a test of resilience and adaptation.
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