The Atlanta Falcons delivered a commanding 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, with running back Bijan Robinson producing a stellar performance and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. making a successful return from injury. The win snapped Green Bay’s historic home-opener winning streak, drawing loud boos from the Lambeau Field crowd.
Robinson finished with 29 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as the focal point of Atlanta’s offense. Wide receiver Drake London also made a significant impact, hauling in nine passes for 194 yards. The duo became the first teammates in NFL history to each record at least 150 yards from scrimmage in a game against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Penix, making his first appearance since tearing his ACL on November 16, completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His return provided a much-needed spark for an Falcons offense that struggled significantly during the first two weeks under starter Cooper Rush.
The Packers entered the game with a 7-0 lead but saw their momentum vanish as Atlanta scored 27 consecutive points. Green Bay’s offensive line was severely compromised, missing left guard Aaron Banks due to a toe injury and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele, who suffered a torn patellar tendon and is ruled out for the season. Rookie Jager Burton and second-round pick Anthony Belton filled the void but struggled to contain Atlanta’s rushing attack, which outrushed Green Bay 242 yards to 17.
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love threw for 312 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, but poor discipline plagued his team. The Packers committed an NFL-high 26 penalties through the first two weeks, and that trend continued on Thursday. A critical roughing-the-passer call on Brenton Cox Jr. erased a potential third-and-11 stop, setting up Robinson’s 55-yard run and subsequent touchdown.
The loss marks Green Bay’s first home opener defeat since 2012, ending a streak of 13 consecutive home-opener wins that stood alongside the Miami Dolphins’ record. Atlanta improves to 1-2, while Green Bay drops to 1-2 after wasting a red-zone opportunity late in the second half when Love failed to connect with Christian Watson on fourth-and-one.
That roughing call on Cox was the game right there. Erased a crucial third-down stop and gave Atlanta fresh life. Pretty glaring.
Lambeau magic is finally broken for the Packers. A 13-game home opener streak ends this way? Brutal for Green Bay fans.
Is 26 penalties really the real problem here? That’s just undisciplined football on every single drive. Tough to win like that.
Fascinating stat about Robinson and London. Never seen that duo put up numbers like that at Lambeau before.