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Falcons Upset Packers in Penix Jr.'s Return
Confirmed
In Short: Michael Penix Jr. led the Falcons to a 35-14 victory over the Packers in his first start since an ACL injury.
In a stunning upset, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14 on Thursday night at Lambeau Field, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. making his first start since tearing his ACL in November.
Penix Jr., who had been sidelined for the first two games of the season, threw for 256 yards and a touchdown, going 18-of-25 while leading the Falcons' offense to a dominant performance.
The Falcons' defense also shone, stifling Packers quarterback Jordan Love and taking advantage of a Green Bay offensive line missing two starters and running back Josh Jacobs.
Penix's return reignited the Falcons' offense, which had struggled in the first two weeks of the season, scoring just 16 combined points.
The Falcons' running game was particularly effective, racking up 244 yards on the ground, while wide receiver Drake London had nine catches for 194 yards.
Penix's performance was crucial as the Falcons had been off to a 0-2 start, with their offense described as 'lifeless' and having yet to run a single play from the red zone in 2026.
The Packers, despite being 1-1, have faced issues with their offensive line and quarterback play, contributing to their slow start to the season.
Penix's return provided a much-needed boost for the Falcons, who now have a fighting chance to turn their season around.
The Packers, meanwhile, face questions about head coach Matt LaFleur's job security, with the team's defense struggling to contain the Falcons' offense.
With Penix Jr. leading the way, the Falcons' offense showed significant improvement, ending their season-long drought in the red zone and scoring a decisive victory.
Penix's performance and the Falcons' overall improvement suggest that the team may be on the verge of a turnaround, despite their 0-2 start.
What this adds
The Falcons' defense's strong performance against the Packers' offense was a key factor in the upset.
Penix Jr.'s return and performance provided a significant boost to the Falcons' morale and prospects for the rest of the season.
What's confirmed
- In a stunning upset, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14 on Thursday night at Lambeau Field, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. making his first start since tearing his ACL in November.
- Penix Jr., who had been sidelined for the first two games of the season, threw for 256 yards and a touchdown, going 18-of-25 while leading the Falcons' offense to a dominant performance.
- The Falcons' defense also shone, stifling Packers quarterback Jordan Love and taking advantage of a Green Bay offensive line missing two starters and running back Josh Jacobs.
- Penix's return reignited the Falcons' offense, which had struggled in the first two weeks of the season, scoring just 16 combined points.
- The Falcons' running game was particularly effective, racking up 244 yards on the ground, while wide receiver Drake London had nine catches for 194 yards.
- Penix's performance was crucial as the Falcons had been off to a 0-2 start, with their offense described as 'lifeless' and having yet to run a single play from the red zone in 2026.
- The Packers, despite being 1-1, have faced issues with their offensive line and quarterback play, contributing to their slow start to the season.
- Penix's return provided a much-needed boost for the Falcons, who now have a fighting chance to turn their season around.
- The Packers, meanwhile, face questions about head coach Matt LaFleur's job security, with the team's defense struggling to contain the Falcons' offense.
- With Penix Jr. leading the way, the Falcons' offense showed significant improvement, ending their season-long drought in the red zone and scoring a decisive victory.
- Penix's performance and the Falcons' overall improvement suggest that the team may be on the verge of a turnaround, despite their 0-2 start.
What's still developing
- As you probably saw on this site already, I have been talking to expert on the Falcons' opponents leading up to their matchups, and as you again already saw, I spoke to Packers' expert and Lombardi Ave. site expert Freddie Boston on this Falcons-Packers matchup and Atlanta's hopes of pulling off the upset tonight.
- But with another week comes another opportunity to get back in the win column, and this week's opponent is the Green Bay Packers.
- And the Falcons were able to end a 27-drive streak without a red zone snap, which is tied for the second longest to start a season over the past 45 years.
- Stat to know: In the first quarter, the Falcons ended their streak of 27 consecutive drives to start the season without taking a snap in the red zone.
- Only once in Love's career as a starter have the Packers come back to win when trailing by double digits at halftime, and that was in his first home start in 2023 (down 17-0 against the Saints, they came back to win 18-17).
- The Packers have salvaged seasons before after 1-2 starts, and edge rusher Micah Parsons will be back in a few weeks, but even that might not matter.
- Most surprising performance: The Packers were off to a solid start defending the run -- until Thursday.
- Stat to know : When Love heaved it to no one on fourth-and-1 from the Falcons' 7-yard line to start the second half, it was the Packers' fourth failed fourth-down conversion in as many attempts to start this season.
- A lot is riding on Penix Jr. stepping seamlessly into Kevin Stefanski’s offense.
- The Falcons’ 0-2 start doesn’t tell the entire story.
- Penix will make his long-awaited return after suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 11 last season.
- Penix should also help Atlanta take better care of the football.