Bijan Robinson delivered a standout performance, rushing for 194 yards and two touchdowns, as the Atlanta Falcons took full 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 1-2 on the season, erased an early 7-0 deficit by piling on 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 meager 17.
The loss marked the Packers' first home opener defeat since a 30-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. That loss snapped a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive home opener victories that spanned from 2013 to 2025, a run that had tied 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 passes for 256 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. Atlanta had struggled offensively in the first two weeks with Cooper Rush at the helm, making Penix's return a catalyst for the team's resurgence.
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 rushing dominance. On the other side, Green Bay's quarterback Jordan Love completed 28 of 53 attempts for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. However, the Packers' running attack sputtered, with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combining for just 17 yards on eight carries.
Love contended with an offensive line 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, the Packers inserted rookie Jager Burton, a fifth‑round pick from Kentucky, as the starting left guard, while 2025 second‑rounder Anthony Belton took over at right tackle. Despite these adjustments, discipline issues resurfaced for Green Bay. After taking an early 7-0 lead, a roughing‑the‑passer penalty on Brenton Cox Jr.
gave the Falcons a fresh set of downs. Robinson seized the moment, breaking off a 55‑yard run that set up his own three‑yard touchdown plunge. Green Bay's penalty woes have been a recurring theme, as the team logged an NFL‑high 26 penalties in the first two weeks of the season.
Robinson's long run also gave Atlanta its first snap inside an opponent's 20‑yard line this year, ending a streak that made the Falcons the first team since the 2008 Rams to go two weeks without a red‑zone rushing attempt. The Falcons continued to dominate the first half, entering the break with a 17-7 advantage. Kicker Nick Folk extended the lead with a 44‑yard field goal with 4:48 left in the second quarter.
After a blocked 47‑yard field‑goal attempt by Trey Smack, Penix connected on 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; Love's pass to Christian Watson fell incomplete on fourth‑and‑one from the seven-yard line.
Atlanta answered by widening the gap to 24-7 on the next drive, capping a 10‑play, 92‑yard march with a seven‑yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson. Folk added a 31‑yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but Love managed to find Matthew Golden for a 15‑yard touchdown with 8:18 left, providing a brief spark for the home crowd.
Nonetheless, Bijan Robinson sealed the game with a two‑yard touchdown run, cementing a comprehensive win for the Falcons. Beyond the scoreboard, the game highlighted several broader storylines. The Packers' inability to protect the quarterback and maintain discipline has become a glaring concern, especially given the high penalty count that has plagued them since the season opened.
Their offensive line injuries have forced the coaching staff to rely on inexperienced starters, which has contributed to inconsistent protection and a stifled rushing attack. For Atlanta, Penix's return signaled a turning point. After two weeks of limited production under Cooper Rush, the veteran's poise in the pocket and ability to execute the play‑action game opened up the offense, allowing both the ground and aerial attacks to flourish.
The synergy between Robinson and London provided a dual‑threat that the Packers could not contain, showcasing the Falcons' potential if they can stay healthy and maintain this level of execution. Looking ahead, the Falcons will aim to build on this momentum, hoping to translate the confidence gained from a dominant performance into a consistent winning stretch. Meanwhile, the Packers must address their penalty discipline, protect Love more effectively, and find ways to revitalize their rushing game if they hope to break the streak of home‑opener defeats and reestablish themselves as a playoff contender.
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