GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Have the real Atlanta Falcons stood up?
After one of the most futile offensive stretches in NFL history over the first two weeks of the season, the Falcons looked reborn in a 35-14 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. Michael Penix Jr.'s return from a torn ACL reignited the team's offense in an impressive performance on the road in primetime against a depleted Packers team playing without edge rusher Micah Parsons (ACL) and running back Josh Jacobs (commissioner exempt list).
Penix was 18-of-25 passing for 256 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He settled down after throwing a pick on his third pass.
Penix's presence opened up the running game, which was dominant to the tune of 244 yards. Bijan Robinson had 194 of those with a touchdown and Brian Robinson Jr. added a touchdown, as well. Falcons wide receiver Drake London had nine catches for 194 yards.
The Falcons' defense stymied Packers quarterback Jordan Love all game, taking advantage of a Green Bay offensive line that was missing two starters and Jacobs.
Love was 28-of-52 for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interceptions. The Packers had only 17 rushing yards.
Over the first two weeks of the season, the Falcons, led by third-string quarterback Cooper Rush, scored 16 combined points, a league low. Atlanta had 17 points by halftime Thursday night. And the Falcons were able to end a 27-drive streak without a red zone snap, which is tied for the second longest to start a season over the past 45 years.
Jeff Hanisch/Imagn Images Atlanta Falcons (1-2) QB performance: It started off disastrously for Penix, who threw an interception on his first series of the game. But the third-year quarterback settled in nicely in his season debut once the second quarter hit. Penix was 13-of-15 passing in the second and third quarters -- with a touchdown to tight end Austin Hooper -- and a perfect 5-of-5 on third downs over that stretch.
Stat to know: In the first quarter, the Falcons ended their streak of 27 consecutive drives to start the season without taking a snap in the red zone. That is tied with the 1997 Detroit Lions for the second longest streak in the past 45 seasons, per ESPN Research. The 1992 Patriots had the longest at 34.
Trend to watch: The Falcons put star cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. (groin) on injured reserve earlier this week, but the team's secondary got a boon from the return of corner Billy Bowman Jr., who tore an Achilles last November. Bowman, C.J. Henderson and Avieon Terrell, AJ's younger brother, did a great job keeping quarterback Love in check despite the loss of Terrell, whom Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich calls one of the league's top boundary corners. -- Marc Raimondi