Check out the recap from the Falcons’ primetime win over the Packers
Atlanta looks for its first win after struggling with backup quarterbacks to start the season.
An 0-2 start and uncertainty at the quarterback position is not what Falcons fans thought they’d see heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the Packers in primetime.
But that’s where they are, after two lackluster games. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is set to return from his ACL injury suffered in November and take the reins of what could be a potent offense.
The Packers are playing their home opener after splitting their first two games on the road.
Here’s some pregame reading to get you up to speed:
- How Michael Penix Jr. knew he was ready for Falcons’ return
- Sugiura: Obstacles aplenty await Michael Penix Jr. in his return from injury
- How Falcons, Stefanski have fared in short weeks in recent years
- Weekend Predictions: Can Penix save the Falcons in Green Bay?
- Falcons ‘got to get it rolling’ with Kyle Pitts after slow start
Falcons at Packers
- Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Lambeau Field, Green Bay
- TV: Amazon Prime, Fox 5
- Records: Falcons 0-2, Packers 1-1
- Outlook: The Falcons hope the return of Penix will jump-start their struggling offense. Through their first two games, they haven’t taken a snap in the red zone and they’ve managed just one offensive touchdown.
FINAL: Falcons 35, Packers 14
What a difference four days can make.
Well, make that four days and Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback.
After a shaky first couple of drives, Penix found his rhythm and the Falcons dominated in a 35-14 win over the Packers on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.
Penix had a breakthrough game for the Falcons (1-2), finishing 18-of-25 for 256 yards and a touchdown, but his consistency and calm in a nationally televised primetime matchup may have helped turn the season around.
Mike check
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 25, 2026
TNF on PRIME | FOX 5 pic.twitter.com/4mpT7YyKIk
Falcons lead 35-14
Bijan Robinson (194 yards) scored his second rushing touchdown and Drake London (194 yards) pulled closer to 200 yards receiving with a big play to help set up a 2-yard touchdown run.
The Falcons were comfortably ahead, 33-14, and they went for the 2-point conversion, pushing the lead to 35-14. That was an unusual decision, and there will be some more talk about that later, potentially. Was something wrong with Nick Folk?
Falcons add a field goal for 27-7 lead
Another good drive adds to the Falcons' advantage.
The big play was a 68-yard pass play to Drake London, which set them up in the red zone again, and they finished with a 31-yard field goal from Nick Folk for a 27-7 margin.
Falcons 27, Packers 7
The Falcons take a 20-point lead on a 33-yard field goal from kicker Nick Folk, who remains perfect on the night. Penix hit London for a 68-yard gain on third-and-2, the highlight of a seven-play, 79-yard drive that extended the Falcons lead to 27-7.
End 3Q: Falcons 24, Packers 7
It's been more of the same for the Falcons, finishing the third quarter with a 17-point advantage. The offense has moved the ball effectively and the defense has held when it's needed to.
The Falcons have looked good on primetime TV, and if they can hold, this will be a big win.
Falcons go heavy, finish statement drive with statement play
After their defense forced a fourth-down stop on the other end, the Falcons' offense marched 92 yards on 10 plays, capped by a seven-yard run from Brian Robinson Jr. — behind seven offensive linemen.
An important play on the drive: Michael Penix Jr. hit Drake London for a 16-yard gain over the middle on third-and-7 to keep the drive alive and push the Falcons into the red zone.
A quick shoutout to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who's called quite the game. The Falcons have found balance between the run and pass, and Penix certainly appears comfortable.
Make that a 24-7 lead for Falcons
The Falcons look like a different team tonight. They're running well. They're passing well. Heck, they're kicking well.
It's all going in the right direction for a team that had a horrendous outing just four days ago in the home opener.
They went that entire drive with the combination of Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson, along with a 16-yard catch for Drake London. Brian Robinson's 7-yard touchdown run pushed the lead to 24-7 with less than four minutes left in the third quarter.
Falcons' defense holds
The Falcons' defense continues to play well, holding the Packers to a turnover on downs after they got to Atlanta's 7-yard line.
Green Bay QB Jordan Love seemed to find a flow in that drive, but after the Packers got inside the red zone, things stalled, with the Falcons holding on fourth-and-1 from the 7.
Penix 'settling in' during first half
The Falcons ran out the clock at the end of the second quarter and are holding a 17-7 lead over the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Michael Penix Jr. looked more comfortable, and with 114 passing yards and a touchdown, he's been a difference-maker.
"I think that's the word -- settling in. Mike obviously played for the first time. I'm proud of what's he's doing out there," coach Kevin Stefanski said at halftime on the Amazon Prime broadcast.
The biggest difference is having a run-pass split and making the defense play honest, rather than keying on the Falcons' run game.
Halftime: Falcons 17, Packers 7
The Falcons carry a 17-7 lead into the locker room, and they're statistically dominating the Packers thus far.
Total yards: Falcons 253, Packers 108
First downs: Falcons 15, Packers 6
Michael Penix Jr. is 13-for-20 passing for 114 yards, one touchdown and an interception, and before throwing away a screen pass on the final drive, he'd completed nine straight passes.
Bijan Robinson has rushed 15 times for 111 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Austin Hooper has two catches for 11 yards and a score. Receiver Drake London has recorded five grabs for 54 yards.