Falcons rout Packers 35-14 as Penix returns and Robinson dominates

The Atlanta Falcons overwhelmed the Green Bay Packers 35-14 at Lambeau Field on Thursday night, erasing an early 7-0 deficit with 27 consecutive points. Atlanta outrushed Green Bay 242 yards to 17 and reached the red zone repeatedly after failing to run a single play inside the opponent's 20-yard line during the first two weeks.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his first game since tearing the ACL in his left knee on November 16. Coach Kevin Stefanski praised Penix's rehabilitation effort and the extra work he put in away from the spotlight.

“That was the weight off the shoulders — just getting back to the red zone.”

Running back Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Drake London caught nine passes for a career-high 194 yards. They became the first teammate duo with at least 190 scrimmage yards each in a road game since the Rams' Lawrence McCutcheon and Ron Jessie in 1976.

Green Bay fell to 1-2 and lost a home opener for the first time since 2017. The Packers managed only 17 rushing yards and allowed pressure on 42% of Jordan Love's dropbacks with an average time-to-pressure of 2.28 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats.