Falcons vs Packers: Atlanta Wins 35-14 as Penix Jr. Returns
The Falcons are among the top NFL searches after a big win on Thursday Night Football over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Green Bay Packers on the road 35-14 on September 24, 2026 to end the Packers 13-game winning streak in home opens and provide Atlanta with its first home win in the 2026 season.
There was a lot of attention on the game because of the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson’s big night on the ground, the fantastic night by Drake London in the air and the tough night by Jordan Love and the Packers offense.
Meanwhile, queries related to the Falcons and Packers have been cropping up as part of another unrelated buzz bathe in the entertainment section, namely about Evangeline Lilly brain damage. Recently, the actress spoke about her medical history and the effects of a T.B.I. That story is far from the Falcons-Packers match but both are getting a lot of traction on the web.
This guide includes information on the Falcons game, the latest Packers score, player stats, Michael Penix Jr. return, Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kevin Stefanski’s coaching situation and the individual Evangeline Lilly health update.
Falcons vs Packers: Latest Score
The final score was:
Atlanta Falcons 35, Green Bay Packers 14
The game was played Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Falcons finished the night with 498 total yards, while the Packers recorded 328. Atlanta also controlled possession for 37:05 compared with 22:55 for Green Bay.
Falcons vs Packers final score by quarter
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 35 |
| Green Bay Packers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
The result moved both teams to 1-2 after three games.
If you were looking for the packers score, falcons score, tnf score or Thursday Night Football score, the results were Atlanta 35, Green Bay 14.
Falcons-Packers Game: What Happened at Lambeau Field?
Thursday night, the Falcons Packers game came into the contest with a lot of air of uncertainty.
After losing two games to Pittsburgh and Carolina, Atlanta came into the game at 0-2. The Falcons had not been scoring very well on the offensive side of the ball in their first two games, going 16-2 for the season.The Falcons were 16-2 on the season for scoring at the start of their first two games.
Green Bay had a 1-1 record after coming off the bench against the New York Jets in overtime on Sunday, Week 2. The Packers were also starting their home season at Lambeau Field where they won their last 13 home-opening games.
The biggest storyline for Atlanta was the return of Michael Penix Jr.
Penix missed the season due to an Achilles injury in November 2025 against Carolina. But his arrival immediately turned the Falcons offense on its head.
The effect was spectacular.
Atlanta had 498 yards total, 6 of 10 on third and downs, 242 yards on the ground and had possession for over 37 minutes.
The Falcons weren’t going to be another low-scoring offense, though, scoring 35 points instead.
Michael Penix Jr. Returns in Style
It was the return that was most significant to the Packers vs Falcons game, with Michael Penix Jr. coming in the middle of the game.
Previously, Atlanta considered Penix a key component of their long-term plans with the quarterback position and drafted him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
He suffered an injury to his ACL in 2025 and Atlanta started the season without him in 2026.
This left much uncertainty at the quarterback position.
Cooper Rush was the starter in the first two games and rookie Jack Strand was also in the game. The Atlanta offense was 0-2 heading into Week 3.
Then Penix returned.
Michael Penix Jr. threw 18-of-25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the game against Green Bay. He garnered a 101.4 passer rating and didn’t get sacked.
His numbers were significant but it was the offense’s operation that made a difference.
Charging the ball was a constant threat for Atlanta.
Penix had an opportunity to get on the ground with Drake London downfield, and Bijan Robinson was playing the ground game. Austin Hooper and other pass catchers also donated to the Falcons.
It was a big improvement for a team that had been having trouble finding offensive rhythm after the first two weeks.
Michael Penix Jr. Stats vs Packers
Here are the key Michael Penix Jr. stats from the Falcons-Packers matchup:
- Completions: 18
- Attempts: 25
- Completion percentage: 72.0%
- Passing yards: 256
- Passing touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 1
- Passer rating: 101.4
- Rushing: 2 carries, -2 yards
Penix was the first to pick it off on Atlanta’s first possession, but settled down from there and kept the Falcons on the offensive.
His touchdown pass was to Austin Hooper on a five-yard play in the endzone towards the end of the first half.
The touchdown was crucial because it put Atlanta up 17-7 at halftime.
Bijan Robinson Dominates the Packers
Bijan Robinson was the statistical star this year while Michael Penix Jr. was the headline quarterback news.
Robinson had 29 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns (6.7 yards per carry). He ran the most 55 yards.
It was one of the best single efforts of Week 3.
Robinson wasn’t just taking quick bucks.
He repeatedly found himself in explosive situations and made it Green Bay’s job to cover the whole field.
His 55-yard run got the game rolling for Atlanta, and he kept it going and finding holes in the Packers defense all night.
In rushing, the Falcons had 242 yards while Green Bay had just 17.
That difference tells much of the story.
Atlanta was in full possession of the ball.
Bijan Robinson final stats
- 29 rushing attempts
- 194 rushing yards
- 6.7 yards per carry
- 55-yard longest run
- 2 rushing touchdowns
- 2 receptions
- 19 receiving yards
Drake London Stats vs Packers
According to the game recap, London had nine receptions for 194 yards in the game.
It was a big night for an Atlanta receiver and provided Penix with a sure downfield target.
That was a huge night for an Atlanta receiver and gave Penix a reliable downfield target.
The fact that London was able to get separation and make plays after the catch kept Green Bay from just pushing the ball up the field against Bijan Robinson.
Atlanta had a well-rounded attack with Penix, London and Robinson all aboard.
The day Green Bay went to the running game, Penix was able to press the air.
Robinson was able to get his hands on the ground when Green Bay moved back, keeping him from explosive passes.
One of the main factors that allowed the Falcons to keep going on drives was that balance.
Atlanta Falcons Offensive Explosion
The most shocking aspect of the Falcons game was the speed of Atlanta’s offense.
The Falcons were 0-for-1 in attempting to score through the first two games.
The game was very different against Green Bay.
Atlanta recorded:
- 498 total yards
- 242 rushing yards
- 256 passing yards
- 25 first downs
- 6-for-10 on third down
- 37:05 time of possession
- 4-for-5 in the red zone
That is an enormous improvement.
The Falcons did not rely on one aspect of the offense.
They ran the ball successfully, passed efficiently and sustained long drives.
The 92-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter was particularly significant. Atlanta went 10 plays and 92 yards before Brian Robinson scored on a seven-yard run, extending the lead to 24-7.
Jordan Love Stats Against the Falcons
The Packers had to get a strong performance out of Jordan Love but the Atlanta defense and running game made things tough.
Love threw 28-of-53 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and a pick-off. He was fired once, and retired with a passer rating in the mid-70s.
The raw yards are impressive, but the efficiency was far less than what was found in Atlanta.
With Green Bay having a tough time getting the ball moving, Love was able to take 53 passes.
The Packers had a whopping 17 yards rushing on nine passes to the ground.
That rendered the offense more and more one-dimensional.
Jordan Love stats
- 28 completions
- 53 attempts
- 312 passing yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 1 sack
- 75.4 passer rating
Love did throw touchdown passes to Christian Watson, Matthew Golden.
However, Green Bay could not maintain enough offensive consistency to overcome Atlanta’s lead.
Tucker Kraft and the Packers Passing Game
The Packers had some great receivers on the field throughout the game, one being Tucker Kraft.
Kraft had three receptions for 23 yards.
Matthew Golden and Christian Watson also threw in production for Green Bay.
Golden had 65 receiving yards in the game-center statistics and Watson was the one who scored Green Bay’s first touchdown.
The Packers had great yards to the gain in the air, but their lack of rushing production hurt them in maintaining drives.
The 53 passes Green Bay had attempted more spoke to the game situation than anything else.
Falcons Defense Controls the Ground Game
Atlanta’s offense made headlines, but the defense had a major impact as well.
The Falcons held Green Bay to just 17 rushing yards.
That’s an amazing turnaround from the 242 rushing yards that the city of Atlanta had.
The Packers were in a lot of passing situations, giving the Falcons plenty of time to work on passing the ball and using Jordan Love.
Green Bay was still 311 net yards on the receiving end, but Atlanta kept the ball on the ground to give the advantage overall.
The Falcons also finished with a better third-down conversion rate, converting 60% compared with Green Bay’s 40%.
Kevin Stefanski and the New Falcons Era
The 2026 season represents a major organizational transition for the Atlanta Falcons.
On January 17, 2026, Kevin Stefanski was appointed as the head coach of the team, making him the 20th head coach in franchise history. He had previously coached with the Minnesota Vikings organization for many years and was head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
Stefanski came into town with a reputation for running the ball and ball control.
The first Falcons coaching staff he was on was under Tommy Rees, the offensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, the defensive coordinator, and Bill Callahan, the offensive line coach.
The win over Green Bay was an early demonstration of a balanced Falcons offense.
Atlanta didn’t give Penix the sole responsibility of carrying the offense, but it made him a big contributor and kept its quarterback in a more well-rounded play.
That formula proved to be very effective against Green Bay.
Matt LaFleur and the Packers
Meanwhile, Matt LaFleur continues to be the main man for the Green Bay offense.
The Packers went into 2026 with hopes and optimism for Jordan Love and a young group of skill players.
However, against Atlanta, Green Bay’s inability to run the ball proved to be a problem.
The Packers only gained 17 yards rushing and averaged 1.9 yards per rushing attempt.
That put the pressure on LaFleur’s offense to play a heavy passing game.
Love had 53 total attempts, with Green Bay having just nine rushing.
The Packers were also without a significant fourth down play in the third quarter when Love’s pass to Christian Watson was incomplete in the end zone.
Atlanta quickly responded with a long scoring drive.
Packers Score Last Night: What Was the Final Result?
If fans were looking for packers score last night, packer score, packer game or green bay packers score then the conclusion was:
Falcons 35 — Packers 14
The game will be played Thursday night at Lambeau Field on September 24, 2026.
The Packers went first and were up 7-0, when Atlanta found Bijan Robinson to score a touchdown.
From there, the Falcons gradually took control.
Atlanta led 17-7 at halftime.
The Falcons then scored again in the third quarter to make it 24-7 before adding more points in the fourth.
Green Bay’s late touchdown made the score 27-14, but Atlanta answered with another Bijan Robinson touchdown to close out the scoring.
Falcons Schedule: What’s Next?
After the win at Green Bay on Thursday night, Atlanta’s next game is on the road.
The Falcons will host the New Orleans Saints in Week 4 on Oct. 5, and then travel to Baltimore Oct. 11 for a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The upcoming Week 4 game will be one of the key games for Kevin Stefanski’s team.
The Falcons lost their opening two games but have now won their first game.
The key question is whether the offense seen against Green Bay can become the team’s normal identity.
Obviously, Michael Penix will be a prominent story with the health of the ball carrier, and Bijan Robinson and Drake London will provide the offense with two big weapons.
What Michael Penix Jr.’s Return Means for Atlanta
Penix’s return puts the discussion back on the Falcons quarterback situation.
Cooper Rush and rookie Jack Strand had been used by the Hawks in his absence, and Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined due to his ACL injury.
Penix’s ability to play against Green Bay proved the worth of the investment that came from Atlanta.
He finished the game with an early interception, but managed to throw 72% of his passes for 256 yards.
More importantly, his presence opened up the rest of the offense.
Bijan Robinson received more opportunities.
Drake London became a major receiving weapon.
Atlanta was able to sustain drives.
The Falcons therefore have a much different offensive outlook with Penix Jr. under center.
Falcons vs Packers Match Player Stats
Here is a quick overview of the major Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers match player stats.
| Player | Team | Key stats |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Penix Jr. | Falcons | 18/25, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Bijan Robinson | Falcons | 29 carries, 194 yards, 2 TDs |
| Drake London | Falcons | 9 receptions, 194 yards |
| Brian Robinson | Falcons | 10 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD |
| Jordan Love | Packers | 28/53, 312 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Matthew Golden | Packers | 65 receiving yards |
| Christian Watson | Packers | TD reception |
| Tucker Kraft | Packers | 3 receptions, 23 yards |
These numbers demonstrate the contrasting styles of the game.
Atlanta won with balance and explosive rushing.
Green Bay relied heavily on the passing game.
Why Lambeau Field Mattered?
Lambeau Field was supposed to provide Green Bay with a major home-field advantage.
The Packers had won 13 consecutive home openers before Thursday night’s game.
The run was broken with a 35-14 defeat to Atlanta.
The result was therefore notable beyond the standings.
The Falcons were coming into the game undefeated and had a Packers team coming off of an overtime win.
Instead, Atlanta controlled the game for much of the night.
The 37:05 possession advantage was particularly important.
The Packers’ defenses were denied any opportunities as the Packers played shutout, keeping the ball out of the hands of Green Bay.
Falcons News After the Packers Game
The Falcons will have a few big storylines that will be prominent in the coming portion of the season.
First is Penix.
His return from the ACL injury gives Atlanta its intended starting quarterback back on the field.
Second is Robinson.
A 194-yard rushing performance demonstrates how important the running game can be to Stefanski’s offense.
Third is London.
His 194 receiving yards gave Atlanta a major explosive threat outside the numbers.
Fourth is the defense.
One of the biggest numbers of the night was holding Green Bay to 17 rushing yards.
The Falcons can’t assume that all opponents will be playing as poorly as they did, but it does give them a very good base of statistics to assess the team.
Packers News After the Loss
Green Bay’s biggest worry is balance on offense.
Jordan Love threw 53 passes.
The Packers ran the ball only nine times and produced 17 rushing yards.
That imbalance placed enormous pressure on the passing attack.
Green Bay also struggled to capitalize on important opportunities.
The Packers had a fourth down opportunity inside Atlanta territory, but it was no good, and Atlanta turned it around with a 92-yard touchdown drive.
The Packers will need to address those issues as the season continues.
The schedule is still very long for them and losing one game in Week 3 doesn’t finish an NFL season.
Thursday Night Football This Week: Final Takeaways
One of the most significant Week 3 results came in the Falcons vs. Packers game on Thursday Night Football.
Atlanta entered the game 0-2.
Green Bay entered 1-1.
The Falcons then traveled to Lambeau Field and won 35-14.
The biggest numbers tell the story:
498 total yards for Atlanta.
242 rushing yards for Atlanta.
194 rushing yards for Bijan Robinson.
194 receiving yards for Drake London.
256 passing yards for Michael Penix Jr.
328 total yards for Green Bay.
17 rushing yards for Green Bay.
The game also ended Green Bay’s 13-game winning streak in home openers.
For Atlanta, it was much more than a win in the standings.
It was a demonstration of what the offense can look like with Michael Penix Jr. back at quarterback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Falcons score against the Packers?
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14 on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Lambeau Field.
What was the Packers score last night?
The Packers scored 14 points against Atlanta. The final score was Falcons 35, Packers 14.
How did Michael Penix Jr. play against Green Bay?
Michael Penix Jr. completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He finished with a 101.4 passer rating.
How many yards did Bijan Robinson have?
Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards on 29 carries and scored two touchdowns.
How many receiving yards did Drake London have?
Drake London finished with 194 receiving yards on nine receptions.
Who is the Falcons head coach?
Kevin Stefanski is the Atlanta Falcons head coach. The team hired him in January 2026 as the 20th head coach in franchise history.
Final Thoughts
The Falcons left Lambeau Field with one of the most eye-catching wins of the early 2026 NFL season.
Atlanta’s 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers featured a spectacular return from Michael Penix Jr., a dominant rushing performance from Bijan Robinson, and a huge receiving night from Drake London.
Penix’s return was particularly important because Atlanta had entered the game 0-2 and had struggled to generate offense. His 256 passing yards helped unlock an offense that ultimately produced 498 total yards.
