Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-25 · by Charles Odum The Associated Press
In a surprising comeback, the Atlanta Falcons won 35-14 against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, just days after their worst home loss in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who played his first game since tearing his ACL ten months ago, was crucial to this victory, completing 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. The Falcons’ balanced offense also saw Bijan Robinson rush for 194 yards and Drake London catch nine passes for 194 yards, contributing to a total of 498 yards in the game. Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Penix will remain the starter for their next game.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Just four days after their most lopsided home loss ever at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — which had fans booing in the first quarter — the Atlanta Falcons pulled off an overwhelming bounce-back win that restored hope for the season.
asserted
that → have → season
This time, it was the Green Bay Packers who heard boos from their fans.
asserted
who → hear → fans
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who played in his first game in 10 months, was a difference-maker for the Falcons (1-2) in their surprising 35-14 win at Green Bay on Thursday night.
asserted
who → play → night
Penix completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
asserted
Penix → complete → touchdown
After throwing an interception on the Falcons’ first drive, Penix went on to complete 16 of 18 passes in the final three quarters.
asserted
Penix → throw → quarters
For perhaps the final time this season, coach Kevin Stefanski was asked Friday if Penix would remain the starter in the Falcons’ next game.
asserted
Penix → ask → game
“Confirmed,” Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → confirm → ?
“I’m proud of how Mike played.
asserted
Mike → ’m → ?
I know he can build upon that.
asserted
he → know → that
I know he wants to be better.”
asserted
he → know → ?
Indeed, the much-anticipated quarterback competition between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa was never a race.
asserted
competition → anticipate → Penix
Penix’s recovery after tearing the ACL in his left knee during a loss to Carolina on Nov. 16 and Tagovailoa’s oblique injury left both inactive for the first two weeks.
asserted
recovery → tear → weeks
With Cooper Rush the starting quarterback, the Falcons scored a combined 16 points in their first two games, including an embarrassing 34-3 home loss to Carolina on Sunday.
asserted
Falcons → score → Sunday
With Penix behind center, the Falcons scored 27 unanswered points.
asserted
Falcons → score → points
Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards and Drake London added 194 receiving yards.
asserted
London → rush → yards
Atlanta’s balanced offense produced 498 yards — 242 rushing and 256 passing.
asserted
offense → produce → yards
Safety Jessie Bates III said he “absolutely” expected the Falcons to play like winners.
asserted
Falcons → say → winners
“We knew what this team was about,” Bates said.
asserted
Bates → know → what
I think, obviously, with Mike Penix coming back that brought us some juice.
asserted
that → think → juice
As a team, when you can stop the run and run the ball at that level that we did today, you’re going to win a lot of ball games like that.”
asserted
you → stop → that
What’s working
The Falcons played winning football on offense, defense and special teams.
asserted
Falcons → work → offense
Penix answered the quarterback question but Stefanski stressed the win was not about one player.
asserted
win → answer → player
The Falcons outrushed the Packers 242-17 — the fewest rushing yards allowed in team history.
asserted
Falcons → outrushe → history
Atlanta’s pass rush put constant pressure on Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love.
asserted
rush → put → Love
Zach Harrison’s blocked field goal attempt was a highlight for the special teams.
asserted
attempt → block → teams
What needs help
While tight end Austin Hooper had a touchdown catch, Kyle Pitts had only one catch for five yards.
asserted
Pitts → need → yards
Stefanski insisted again on Friday Pitts’ lack of targets in the first three games is not an indication of what he expects to come.
asserted
he → insist → what
“When a defense plays a certain way the ball goes where it goes,” Stefansk said.
asserted
Stefansk → play → ?
“Kyle is going to be a big part of this offense. ...
asserted
Kyle → go → offense
Stock up
Penix’s return had a dramatic impact on London’s production.
asserted
return → have → production
London had nine receptions for a career-high 194 yards.
asserted
London → have → yards
His 10 targets matched his combined total for the first two games.
asserted
targets → match → games
Tagovailoa, who had been inactive the first two weeks while recovering from an oblique injury, was Penix’s backup.
asserted
who → recover → injury
If the Falcons view undrafted rookie Jack Strand as a player with developmental value, Rush’s roster spot could be at risk if a need develops at another position and keeping four quarterbacks is a luxury the team can no longer afford.
uncertain
team → view → quarterbacks
Rush threw four interceptions and led only one touchdown drive in his two starts.
asserted
Rush → throw → starts
DE Samson Ebukam (hamstring) was inactive and CB A.J. Terrell (groin) was out for the first of at least four games after being placed on injured reserve.
asserted
Terrell → place → reserve
While Penix was in the spotlight, another important returning player was CB Billy Bowman, who had a tackle and two passes defensed after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.
asserted
who → return → injury
Key number
12 — While Cameron Thomas recorded Atlanta’s only sack, the Falcons had 12 pressures on Love, including four each by Thomas and Brandon Dorlus.
asserted
Falcons → record → Thomas
Stefanski described the pass rush as “outstanding” and having a big impact on Love’s effectiveness.
asserted
Stefanski → describe → effectiveness
“We love to get the sacks whenever we can, but you want to pressure quarterback and I thought he was under pressure quite a bit,” Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → love → pressure
…and 1 more, not listed.
The Aporia
