Falcons roll past Packers 35-14 as Penix shines in season debut, Robinson runs wild

Michael Penix Jr. rewarded Atlanta's patience in his season debut, and the Falcons rode a dominant second half to a 35-14 win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

Penix completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards with a touchdown and an interception, shaking off an opening-drive pick by Xavier McKinney to settle in behind a Falcons offense that found its rhythm. The interception was about the only blemish on the night for the second-year quarterback, who handled Atlanta's decision to start him in Week 3 — with Tua Tagovailoa backing up — and rewarded the coaching staff's faith with the poise of a player shaking off a slow opening drive.

Bijan Robinson set the tone on the ground, carrying 29 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns, while Drake London matched him through the air with nine catches for 194 yards. The two-pronged attack tormented the Green Bay defense, which had no answer for Atlanta's play-action game after the break.

The Packers grabbed an early lead when Jordan Love found Christian Watson for a touchdown, but Green Bay managed just seven first-quarter points and was shut out in the second and third quarters while the Falcons pulled away. Love finished 28 of 53 for 312 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, a volume-heavy night undone by inaccuracy and a late pick as Lambeau emptied out.

Atlanta piled on 11 fourth-quarter points to salt the game away, moving to 1-2 with its first win of the season. The Packers, likewise 1-2, now face questions about a home loss that underscored their inconsistency through three weeks — and Green Bay's defense, missing bodies in the secondary, had no answer for Robinson all night.