Two things were abundantly clear following the Falcons' 35-14 win over the Packers on Thursday night. Atlanta is a completely different team with Michael Penix Jr., and Green Bay is in serious trouble.
The visiting Falcons manhandled the Packers (1-2) Thursday night, handing Green Bay its first loss in a home opener since 2012. The Falcons' offense ripped off 498 yards, their defense held the Packers to just 17 yards on the ground, and their special teams blocked a field goal attempt that set up Atlanta's third score of the first half. Atlanta led 17-7 at halftime and 24-7 after three quarters.
Green Bay briefly made it interesting after making it a 13-point game in the fourth quarter, but Atlanta put the game on ice after they responded with their sixth scoring drive of the night. The Falcons then threw salt on the wounds by going for and converting a two-point conversion.
Penix, playing in his first game in 10 months, overcame a slow start to throw for 256 yards and a score (with an interception) on 18 of 25 yards passing. The Falcons (1-2) also received monster games from Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Robinson rumbled for 194 yards and two scores, while London caught nine passes for 194 yards.
While Atlanta's offense was firing on all cylinders, it was the complete opposite story for the Packers, who were playing without wideout Jayden Reed and two starters on the offensive line. Love ended up throwing for 312 yards, but he threw nearly as many incompletions (25) as completions (28). Green Bay's lack of a running game did him no favors.
Understandably, Green Bay's offense will take the brunt of the criticism, but Thursday night's loss was a complete team loss.
The Packers had a field-goal attempt blocked late in the first half, which proved to be a turning point in the game. Instead of tying the score, Atlanta trailed by 10 points after the Falcons scored on their ensuing drive after the block.
Defensively, the Packers had some mental lapses that included not covering London on his 68-yard catch and run that helped the Falcons put the game away. Green Bay is now 1-6 without Micah Parsons, who is still on the team's reserve/PUP list.
Offensively, it was ugly. Without Josh Jacobs, the Packers' running game continues to be nonexistent. That undoubtedly hurt the Packers' passing game as Atlanta often forced Green Bay into obvious passing situations on third down.
Thursday night's outcome should compel Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst to aggressively look for ways to improve his offense between now and Green Bay's next game. One option could be to see whether the Giants would be interested in trading for Najee Harris, a former 1,000-yard running back.
Green Bay's lone bright spot was Matthew Golden, who played like a No. 1 receiver. He caught five passes for 100 yards and a score that included a 45-yard catch that set up Green Bay's first touchdown.
The Packers also received a solid game from Christian Watson, who caught seven passes on 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Penix showed major signs of rust early; he started 4 of 11 and threw an interception on Atlanta's first series. Penix and the Falcons' offense started to hit their stride on their third series after Robinson ripped off a 55-yard run that put Atlanta in the red zone for the first time this season.
Bijan Robinson's success opened things up for Penix and London.
While it was only one game, Penix's performance should provide optimism for Falcons fans. Their team, after all, is in arguably the NFL's wide-open NFC South, a division the Falcons could have won in recent years if they had had more stability at quarterback.
The best part about Atlanta playing on prime time is the chance to watch the league's best running back ... maybe since Barry Sanders.
Yes, there have been some great running backs since Sanders, but none have had Robinson's combination of elusiveness, power and speed. Robinson is a more compact version of Sanders and plays the game similarly to Jim Brown, who is arguably the best running back of all time.
Atlanta pulls off a big upset and do so in emphatic fashion. The Falcons will improve to 1-2, while the Packers fall to 1-2.
Impressive game from Michael Penix Jr., who finishes with 256 yards on 18 of 25 passing.
The Falcons respond to GB's TD with yet another scoring drive. Robinson does the honors from two yards out for his second score of the night. Atlanta throws salt on the wounds by going for two and converting as Penix hits Chris Blair in the back of the end zone.
Falcons 35, Packers 14 with 3:33 to play.
Really nice TD grab by Golden makes it a 27-14 game with 8:18 left. Easily the Packers' best drive of the night so far. Golden looking like a No. 1 receiver tonight.
Packers could still make this a game, but their defense is going to need to force a three-and-out here.
Falcons increase their lead to 27-7 early in the fourth quarter. Barring something crazy, this one's over.
If I'm Matt LaFleur, I'm looking for anything positive that GB can take out of this game. Starting with a scoring drive here.
Penix hits Drake London (who was wide open) on a 68-yard catch and run as Atlanta is in position to add to their 24-7 lead. Massive breakdown in Green Bay's secondary there.
Atlanta scored the only points of the quarter on Brian Robinson's TD run. They're in command of this game as we head to the fourth quarter.
Maybe the only positive for the Packers is they could get favorable field position if they can force a Falcons punt here. Another positive is GB, down 17, can stop worrying about establishing the run.
Packers punt again after Love throws it nowhere near Matthew Golden on third-and-11. Even had Love thrown it close to Golden, it would have been a tough completion as Golden was double covered.
The Falcons had 16 points on the season entering tonight. They have 24 late in the third quarter following Brian Robinson's seven-yard TD run that capped off a very impressive 92-yard drive.
I'm sorry, but if you can't appreciate Bijan Robinson, you don't like football. He's the most elusive back I've seen since Barry Sanders, and it's not close.
Green Bay's promising drive ends with no points after Love is forced to throw it away and out of the end zone on fourth and goal. Big props to Atlanta's pass rush that forced Love to throw it away.
Win or lose, the Packers' running game needs an infuse of talent. They need to start looking for trade partners ASAP.
Packers quickly get into field goal range on three completions on Love, who looks much sharper on this drive than he did in the first half.
Score: Falcons, 17-7
First downs: Falcons 15-6
Third downs: Falcons 2-5, Packers 1-6
Total yards: Falcons 253-108
Red zone: Falcons 2-2, Packers 1-1
TOP: Falcons 19:53
Penix: 13-20, 114 yards, TD, INT
Love: 9-19, 96 yards, TD
Robinson: 111 yards and a TD on 15 carries
Falcons: 139 yards on 20 carries
Packers: 12 yards on 5 carries
Golden: 53 yards on 2 catches (6 targets)
London: 5 catches (on 6 targets) for 54 yards
Atlanta parlays the blocked FG into its third scoring drive of the night. Penix's touchdown pass to Austin Hooper capped off an eight-play, 63-yard drive.
Falcons are hoping to add to their 10-7 lead before halftime. Penix is now up to 11 of 17 passing after starting 4 of 11.
Falcons keep their 10-7 lead after Zach Harrison blocks Trey Smack's 47-yard attempt. Falcons are beating Green Bay in all three phases.
Packers now in field goal range after a 34-yard pass interference penalty. That's the second-longest play tonight for the Packers' offense, which has really struggled tonight.
Some old school, ground and pound football by the Falcons has given them a 10-7 lead with 4:48 left until halftime. That was an eight-play, 38-yard drive that saw Robinson get two carries for 18 yards. He's up to 95 yards on 11 carries in addition to one catch for 17 yards.
Fans watching tonight are being treated to a unique talent in Bijan Robinson. He's turning no or minimal gains into first down runs. It's unreal. Haven't seen a running back with his skillset since Barry.
Drake London doesn't seem pleased after the Falcons have to punt after crossing midfield. It's clear that he and Penix are still working through things.
Penix had a nice completion on that drive to Jahan Dotson on a slant, but you can tell that he's still getting acclimated to live reps. He's just 5 of 11 for 44 yards so far.
Atlanta is putting together another impressive drive. Penix is finding his rhythm, and Brian Robinson has been a nice change of pace on the ground to Bijan. He's up to 31 yards on three carries.
While Green Bay had momentum for most of it, the first quarter ends with the two teams tied at seven. The Falcons just had their best drive of the year, but it's fair to wonder if the Falcons' offense can continue leaning this much on Robinson.
The Falcons are now 1 for 1 this year in the red zone after Robinson scores on a three-yard run. The score was set up by Robinson's blistering 55-yard run. He's already up to 73 yards on seven carries.
Love rolls out and hits Christian Watson for a short TD. Packers take the lead with 5:13 left in the opening quarter. The score was set up by Golden's 44-yard catch.
Incredible turnaround and catch by Matthew Golden put the Packers in Falcons territory. Love had struggled to that point. Golden stepping up with Jayden Reed out.
Penix is really struggling tonight. The Falcons went conservative on the drive, and it led to an initial first down. But when the running game stalled, Penix was unable to pick up a first down and was nearly picked off on third and long.
Green Bay was going to go for it on fourth-and-four, but a false start penalty forces a punt. The Packers aren't able to cash in on McKinney's pick.
Love was inaccurate on that drive, especially on his third-down pass to Christian Watson. Watson was wide open, by Love's pass was off the mark.
Atlanta's first drive ends with Penix getting picked off by Xavier McKinney. Horrible throw by Penix, but not sure why the Falcons called that play. Need to keep it simple early for Penix, who hasn't played in 10 months
A short run and a 16-yard catch and carry by Robinson has put the Falcons near midfield on their first drive. Falcons making sure Robinson getting involved early.
The game is underway. The Falcons will get the ball first.
It's been 25 seasons since the Falcons handed the Packers their first-ever home playoff loss. Led by Michael Vick, the Falcons rolled to a 27-7 win in Green Bay on a chilly Saturday night. Atlanta's defense held Brett Favre to just 20 of 42 passing with two interceptions.
