Running back Bijan Robinson amassed 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns to propel the Atlanta Falcons to a 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. The contest marked the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. from a left ACL injury, anchoring a dominant offensive performance that quieted a home crowd which had initially cheered as Green Bay took an early lead.
The Falcons improved to 1-2 on the season by erasing a 7-0 deficit with 27 unanswered points. Atlanta’s ground game overwhelmed the Packers, generating 242 rushing yards compared to just 17 for Green Bay. For the Packers, who also fell to 1-2, the defeat ended a notable streak: it was their first home-opener loss since a 30-22 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. Green Bay had previously won 13 home openers from 2013 through 2025, tying an NFL record set by the Miami Dolphins between 1976 and 1988.
Penix Returns and the Falcons Ground Game Take Over
Michael Penix Jr. completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception in his first game action since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on November 16, 2025, against the Carolina Panthers. With Cooper Rush having started the first two weeks of the season while the offense struggled to find rhythm, Penix provided an immediate spark alongside a historic rushing and receiving tandem.
Robinson and wide receiver Drake London made NFL history at Lambeau Field by becoming the first teammates to each record at least 150 yards of offense against the Packers on their home turf. London hauled in 9 receptions for 194 yards, matching Robinson’s explosive output and keeping the Green Bay secondary off-balance throughout the evening.
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love finished 28 of 53 for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Operating behind an offensive line missing Aaron Banks (toe injury) and Zach Bako-Bewele — who tore a patellar tendon on Sunday and will miss the remainder of the season — Love found few answers in the running game, where MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combined for just 17 yards on 8 carries.
Discipline Issues and Turning Points
Penalty troubles that plagued the Packers during their first two outings resurfaced in prime time. Holding a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter, Green Bay forced what appeared to be an incomplete pass on a third-down play, only for Brenton Cox Jr. to draw a roughing-the-passer penalty. On the very next snap, Robinson broke free for a 55-yard run, setting up his own 3-yard touchdown plunge that ignited Atlanta’s 27-point scoring run.
The Packers had totaled a league-record 26 penalties through the first two weeks of the season, and undisciplined moments repeatedly stalled their momentum against the Falcons. Atlanta capitalized by building a 17-7 halftime advantage.
Green Bay squandered a golden scoring opportunity on its opening possession of the second half when Love failed to connect with Christian Watson in the end zone on a fourth-and-goal from the 7-yard line. The Falcons immediately marched 87 yards across 12 plays, extending their lead to 24-7 on a 6-yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson.
Kicker Nick Folk added a 31-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Although Love connected with Matthew Golden on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 8:18 remaining, Bijan Robinson capped the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach.
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