Bijan Robinson Runs for 194 Yards as Falcons Rout Packers 35-14/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 256 yards in his return from a torn ACL, while Drake London recorded a career-high 194 receiving yards. Atlanta outgained Green Bay 242-17 on the ground and ended the Packers’ NFL-record-tying streak of 13 consecutive home-opening victories.
Quick Look
- Falcons defeated Packers 35-14 at Lambeau Field.
- Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
- Drake London caught nine passes for a career-high 194 yards.
- Michael Penix Jr. completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards.
- Atlanta scored 27 consecutive points after trailing 7-0.
- The Falcons outrushed Green Bay 242-17.
- Jordan Love threw for 312 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
- Green Bay lost its first home opener since 2012.
- Atlanta improved to 1-2, while Green Bay fell to 1-2.
Deep Look
Falcons overwhelm Packers at Lambeau Field
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons ended their offensive struggles with a commanding 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
Atlanta fell behind 7-0 before scoring 27 unanswered points and taking control of the game in front of a frustrated Lambeau Field crowd.
The Falcons dominated the running game, outgaining Green Bay 242-17 on the ground.
The result gave Atlanta its first victory of the season and dropped both teams to 1-2.
Atlanta finally reaches the red zone
Atlanta’s offensive breakthrough came after an historically ineffective opening two weeks.
The Falcons had not run a single play inside an opponent’s 20-yard line through their first two games, becoming the first NFL team since the 2008 St. Louis Rams to go two weeks without reaching the red zone.
That changed dramatically against Green Bay.
“That was the weight off the shoulders — just getting back to the red zone,” Robinson said. “And we knew we had to punch it in every opportunity we get when we get down there. That was the main focus — to get the ball down there and let’s put the ball in the end zone. When we scored, it was definitely something we enjoyed, and we kept on doing it.”
Once Atlanta reached scoring territory, it repeatedly converted its opportunities into touchdowns.
Penix returns from torn ACL
Michael Penix Jr. completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his first appearance since tearing the ACL in his left knee.
The quarterback suffered the injury during Atlanta’s loss to Carolina on Nov. 16.
Penix’s return immediately improved an offense that had struggled with Cooper Rush starting the first two games.
Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski praised Penix for the work required to return from the significant knee injury.
“I’m proud of him,” Stefanski said. “It’s not easy to rehab from injuries. That’s a tough thing to do, that he’s put himself through — the extra workouts in the weight room, the extra treatments in the training room, all those times that he’s out in the field and he’s running when no one’s watching.”
Penix finished the game healthy and expressed relief about completing his return successfully.
“It felt great to get a win. It felt great to come out of there healthy. Just blessed, just blessed,” Penix said.
Robinson and London make NFL history
Robinson and wide receiver Drake London delivered historic performances for Atlanta.
London caught nine passes for a career-high 194 yards, matching Robinson’s rushing total.
They became the first pair of teammates to each produce at least 190 yards from scrimmage in a road game since Lawrence McCutcheon and Ron Jessie accomplished the feat for the Rams against Miami on Oct. 3, 1976.
Robinson described his relationship with London as extending far beyond football.
“Me and Drake, that’s my real-life brother,” Robinson said. “I call him my blood brother. We do everything together.”
Their combined production helped Atlanta control the game and repeatedly exploit Green Bay’s defense.
Packers’ penalty changes momentum
Green Bay took an early 7-0 lead and appeared to force Atlanta into a third-and-11 incompletion late in the first quarter.
However, Packers defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. was penalized for roughing the passer, extending the drive.
Robinson broke free for a 55-yard run on the next play. He then scored on a 3-yard carry to tie the game.
The sequence shifted the game’s momentum and continued a troubling pattern for the Packers.
Green Bay entered Thursday with an NFL-leading 26 penalties through its first two games.
Falcons take control before halftime
Atlanta dominated the remainder of the first half and carried a 17-7 advantage into the locker room.
Nick Folk gave the Falcons their first lead with a 44-yard field goal with 4:48 remaining in the second quarter.
Atlanta defensive lineman Zach Harrison then blocked Trey Smack’s 47-yard field-goal attempt, denying Green Bay a chance to reduce the deficit.
Penix capitalized by throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper on third-and-goal with 59 seconds left before halftime.
Green Bay wastes red-zone opportunity
The Packers had an opportunity to regain momentum during their opening possession of the third quarter.
Green Bay advanced to Atlanta’s 7-yard line but failed to score when Jordan Love could not connect with Christian Watson in the end zone on fourth-and-1.
The turnover on downs allowed Atlanta to preserve its 10-point lead.
The Falcons continued pulling away, while boos grew louder inside Lambeau Field.
Love throws for 312 yards in defeat
Love completed 28 of 53 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
His touchdown passes went to Watson and Matthew Golden, but Green Bay struggled to finish drives and received virtually no production from its running game.
MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combined for only 17 yards on eight carries.
The imbalance forced Love to attempt 53 passes while playing behind a depleted offensive line.
Injured offensive line struggles
Green Bay played without left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele.
Banks was sidelined by a toe injury. Bako-Bewele tore his patellar tendon Sunday and will miss the remainder of the season.
Rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton made his first NFL start at left guard. Anthony Belton, a second-round selection in the 2025 draft, started at right tackle.
The reshuffled line struggled to create running lanes and protect Love consistently.
Packers’ home-opening streak ends
The defeat marked Green Bay’s first home-opening loss since a 30-22 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2012.
The Packers had won 13 consecutive home openers from 2013 through 2025.
That run tied the NFL record established by the Miami Dolphins, who also won 13 straight home openers from 1976 through 1988.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said the team must use its upcoming extended break to confront its mistakes.
“We’ve got a couple extra days here, and everybody’s got to take a long, hard look at themselves,” LaFleur said. “We’ve got to find solutions and just come back ready to work.”
Injury report
Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell did not play after being placed on injured reserve with a groin injury earlier in the week.
Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was evaluated for a concussion during the second half.
Green Bay guard Jacob Monk injured his quadriceps late in the fourth quarter.
Up next
The Falcons will visit the New Orleans Saints on Monday, Oct. 5.
The Packers will play at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 4.
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