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Falcons Rout Packers in Penix Jr.'s Return
Confirmed
In Short: In a surprising Thursday Night Football matchup, the Atlanta Falcons routed the Green Bay Packers 35-14 at Lambeau Field.
Brian Robinson Jr. scored one of four touchdowns for the Falcons, contributing to their dominant performance.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur admitted his team got a 'butt-whooping,' acknowledging the Falcons' superior play.
The Falcons' defense stifled Packers quarterback Jordan Love, taking advantage of a Green Bay offensive line that was missing two starters and running back Josh Jacobs.
Michael Penix Jr., who had been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL last November, made his return and played a crucial role in the Falcons' victory.
Penix was 18-of-25 passing for 256 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while also opening up the running game, which was dominant to the tune of 244 yards.
Falcons wide receiver Drake London had a standout performance with nine catches for 194 yards.
The Falcons' defense ended 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.
Penix's return reignited the Falcons' offense, which had struggled in the first two weeks of the season, scoring just 16 combined points.
Despite the Packers' depleted roster, the loss marked a significant setback for Green Bay, who had been off to a solid start defending the run until Thursday.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Penix's hard work and resilience, noting his emotional journey back to the field.
Fans of both teams reacted strongly to the game, with Falcons supporters celebrating their first win of the season and Packers fans expressing frustration with their team's performance.
What this adds
The Falcons' defense also stymied the Packers' offense, leading to speculation about head coach Matt LaFleur's future.
Penix's performance was particularly impressive given his recent injury and the Falcons' cautious approach to his return.
The Falcons' victory marked the most points allowed by the Packers in a home opener since 1971.
Background
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14 in a surprising Thursday Night Football matchup.
Jack Strand is expected to serve as Rush’s backup if Penix and Tagovailoa remain unavailable. The Falcons are managing Penix’s return carefully due to his knee injury, which has kept him on the sidelines since last season.
What's confirmed
- Brian Robinson Jr. scored one of four touchdowns for the Falcons, contributing to their dominant performance.
- Packers head coach Matt LaFleur admitted his team got a 'butt-whooping,' acknowledging the Falcons' superior play.
- The Falcons' defense stifled Packers quarterback Jordan Love, taking advantage of a Green Bay offensive line that was missing two starters and running back Josh Jacobs.
- Michael Penix Jr., who had been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL last November, made his return and played a crucial role in the Falcons' victory.
- Penix was 18-of-25 passing for 256 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while also opening up the running game, which was dominant to the tune of 244 yards.
- Falcons wide receiver Drake London had a standout performance with nine catches for 194 yards.
- The Falcons' defense ended 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.
- Penix's return reignited the Falcons' offense, which had struggled in the first two weeks of the season, scoring just 16 combined points.
- Despite the Packers' depleted roster, the loss marked a significant setback for Green Bay, who had been off to a solid start defending the run until Thursday.
- Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Penix's hard work and resilience, noting his emotional journey back to the field.
- Fans of both teams reacted strongly to the game, with Falcons supporters celebrating their first win of the season and Packers fans expressing frustration with their team's performance.
What's still developing
- 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.
- The Packers were already without defensive star Micah Parsons and running back Josh Jacobs but lost two offensive linemen to injury in last week's win at the New York Jets.
- Although the hosts took the lead through a Christian Watson touchdown, the Falcons then took charge with Bijan Robinson, Austin Hooper and Brian Robinson Jr all getting into the endzone while Nick Folk added two field goals.
- Matthew Golden's touchdown stopped the rot for the Packers but Bijan Robinson claimed his second score late on to seal an emphatic win for the Falcons.
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- The Packers are dealing with numerous injuries entering this game, but it's their first appearance at home on the year and they would surely like to come away with a win.
- The Falcons are fourth-to-last in offensive success rate and dead last in EPA per play, according to Tru Media.
- We obviously have no idea how healthy Penix is after his latest knee surgery, but he has been cleared to play and has been fully practicing for a while now.
- It's difficult to know exactly what to expect from the Falcons' offense, because we haven't actually seen the Falcons' offense on the field just yet.
- Penix hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in his 14 career appearances.
- 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.