The Atlanta Falcons will take a healthier Michael Penix Jr. into Thursday night’s road game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, looking to avoid an 0-3 opening after an offense led by Cooper Rush failed to find consistency over its first two games.
Falcons look for offensive reset with Penix
Penix is set to start after returning to health, giving Atlanta a more settled answer at quarterback as Kevin Stefanski prepares the game plan. The Falcons will need Penix to quickly reconnect with their leading receiving threats, Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr., against a Green Bay defense that has played zone coverage on 70.5% of opposing passing snaps.
- Bijan Robinson has averaged 18.5 rushing attempts per game, making him the expected centerpiece of Atlanta’s offense.
- The Falcons could lean heavily on outside-zone runs and play-action concepts built from the same looks.
- Green Bay has yielded just 2.9 yards per carry through two weeks, the NFL’s second-best mark.
- London has favorable opportunities against split-safety zone looks, particularly on intermediate routes breaking toward the middle of the field.
- Pitts has only four targets this season, but his involvement could rise with Penix back under center. In nine starts by Penix last season, Pitts surpassed 34.5 receiving yards seven times and averaged 5.9 targets.
Atlanta’s passing game may face an early test if Penix shows signs of rust. He did not play during the preseason, and he is operating in a new offense after his most recent starting stretch. Still, the Falcons expect designed throws for both London and Pitts while Robinson handles a significant workload.
Love and Packers passing game carry the spotlight
Jordan Love has completed 52.1% of his passes through two games, but Green Bay has still generated downfield production. Love has delivered eight completions of at least 20 yards, tied for fifth-most in the league entering Thursday.
Christian Watson has been the Packers’ primary vertical threat, with three touchdown catches in the first two weeks. Matthew Golden is also emerging as a major option after drawing 18 targets over the opening two games while playing a large share of the team’s routes.
- Watson’s speed gives Green Bay a chance to attack isolated coverage and create explosive gains.
- Golden could see an expanded role if the Packers again struggle to establish their running game.
- Tight end Tucker Kraft has run at least 22 routes in each game and remains a red-zone option off seam routes and play-action.
- Green Bay’s backfield has operated by committee and has yet to produce a clear lead playmaker.
The Falcons allowed Bryce Young to throw for 287 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2, an outcome that puts added focus on Atlanta’s ability to defend the middle of the field and prevent Love from finding rhythm throws. The Packers could also look for ways to get Watson isolated outside.
Pressure packages could shape the opener at Lambeau
Green Bay’s offensive line enters the game short-handed and young in key spots, creating a potential opening for Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to feature his pressure packages. Atlanta will aim to force sacks, punts and field-goal attempts rather than allow the Packers’ passing game to build momentum at home.
For Green Bay, the defensive priority will be winning early downs against Robinson. If the Packers limit Atlanta’s rushing efficiency and force Penix into longer passing situations, their zone-heavy approach could make a difficult first road start even more challenging.
Thursday’s matchup gives the Falcons a chance to stabilize their season behind Penix, while the Packers will try to pair their explosive passing game with enough rushing production and protection to control the tempo in their Lambeau Field home opener.
