Bijan Robinson runs wild, Michael Penix solid as Falcons win, but what’s wrong with Packers

Atlanta Falcons Offense Ends Red Zone Drought Against Green Bay

The Atlanta Falcons finally found the end zone in a big way after one of the most futile offensive stretches in NFL history. Through their first two games, the Falcons struggled to get anything going on offense. That drought ended emphatically on Thursday night as Atlanta erased an early 7-0 deficit by rattling off 27 consecutive points against a restless crowd. Once the Atlanta Falcons finally reached the red zone, they kept coming back again and again. Atlanta (1-2) erased an early 7-0 deficit by scoring 27 straight points to take control amid a chorus of boos at Lambeau Field. The Falcons outrushed the Packers 242 yards to 17. It was a stunning turn of events for an Atlanta offense that had struggled in the first two weeks of the season.

Michael Penix Jr. Sparks Atlanta Offense in Injury Return

The catalyst for the turnaround was the return of Michael Penix Jr., who started under center in his first action since tearing the ACL in his knee. Penix went 18 of 25 for 256 yards with one touchdown pass. The final stat line looks more impressive when you consider Penix started the game with an interception, settling into the game from there. Penix leaned on his top option through the air, feeding Drake London who parlayed nine catches into 194 yards, with no other pass-catcher surpassing the 19 receiving yards of running back Bijan Robinson. The Falcons improve to 1-2 on the young season while handing the Packers their first home opener loss in 14 years. Penix has all the look of an upside QB2 and deserves streaming consideration ahead of a road matchup with the Saints.

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Bijan Robinson and Drake London Make NFL History Against Green Bay

With Penix back orchestrating the huddle, the Falcons’ ground and air attacks completely overwhelmed the Green Bay defense. Their 498 yards on offence included 242 rushing yards, while Green Bay’s total 328 yards featured just 17 from nine carries. The Atlanta Falcons put the rest of the league on notice Thursday night, thanks in large part to the incredible performances of running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London. The duo torched the Packers’ defense all night long at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, as the Falcons came away with a 35-14 victory. So good were Robinson and London that they managed to make history. Bijan Robinson and Drake London have 3 games with the former gaining 150+ rushing yards and the latter gaining 150+ receiving yards. That is the most such games by any RB/WR duo in the NFL since 2023, Will McFadden of Atlanta’s official site shared via a social media post on X, formerly Twitter. McFadden also noted that This is the most games by any RB/WR duo in NFL history!

Matt LaFleur Admits Packers Suffered a Butt-Whooping at Lambeau

The home opener turned sour quickly for the Packers. The Green Bay Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur said his team got a “butt-whooping” as they lost 35-14 at home to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. The Packers were booed by their own fans as they were well beaten by a Falcons team that lost 34-3 at home to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Although a depleted Green Bay opened the scoring at Lambeau Field, the Falcons hit back with 27 unanswered points. They had 500 yards of offence, we had whatever it was – it was a butt-whooping, said LaFleur. I'm not going to put it on one thing. We definitely have to respond better but that was at least a three-quarter butt-whooping right there. The Green Bay Packers finally opened Lambeau Field for the first time this regular season, where they hoped to make it 14 straight home openers where they’ve come away with a victory on Thursday night against a struggling Atlanta Falcons team. Instead, the Packers were blown out by an 0-2 team on their home turf.

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