Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Star running back Bijan Robinson rushed for an explosive 194 yards and two touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons thrashed the Green Bay Packers 35-14 on Thursday. Robinson’s destructive performance gave Atlanta its first win of the NFL season, while a shellshocked Lambeau Field booed as the Packers slipped to 1-2 with their first loss in a home opener since 2012.
Prior to Thursday, the Falcons had only managed 16 points across two defeats in which they did not have a single snap in the red zone. But they were boosted by the return from injury of quarterback Michael Penix Jr, who brushed off an early interception to complete 256 passing yards and a touchdown. “I’ve been fighting and scratching for a long time to get back to where I’m at today,” said Penix, who underwent surgery last November for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
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Penix hailed Robinson’s “unreal” performance, calling it “a blessing to be able to have somebody like that on your team.” By contrast, Packers quarterback Jordan Love managed 312 passing yards, but was let down by a lack of running options. Atlanta’s Robinson, selected eighth overall in the 2023 NFL draft, signed a new three-year, $75 million contract with the Falcons in August that briefly made him the top-paid running back in NFL history.
The 24-year-old proved his worth on Thursday night, comfortably out-rushing the entire Packers team, who ran for a paltry 17 yards total. After the Packers scored first via a Love touchdown pass to Christian Watson, Robinson made a superb, weaving 55-yard run to the red zone, before rushing for a touchdown on the next play. He was again at the heart of the next Falcons touchdown, with four rushes in a drive that ended with Penix’s touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper.
In the second half, Bijan Robinson made another stunning, 31-yard run down the right flank, before the Falcons’ other Robinson — running back Brian Robinson Jr — took the ball into the end zone for a 20-point lead. The Packers attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter with Love’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden. But it was Bijan Robinson again who put the game to bed, bursting through the Packers’ defense for a touchdown before a successful two-point conversion made it 35-14.
“I always say it’s God-given ability, but for me, I just read the first, second, third level…I know where the free hitter is every play,” said Robinson. “I’m pretty much playing peekaboo with the guys. I’m getting them out their gaps.” The Falcons managed two field goals, while the Packers missed their only attempt.
© 2024 AFP
