Packers vs. Falcons: 3 Things to Watch Thursday Night

After two weeks on the road, the Packers are finally coming home.

Green Bay hosts the Atlanta Falcons Thursday night at Lambeau Field after escaping New York with a 20–17 overtime victory.

The Packers are 1–1, Atlanta is 0–2, and both teams enter the short week with plenty to prove.

Here are three things I’ll be watching Thursday night.

1. Can Green Bay Finally Clean Up the Penalties?

We have to start here.

The Packers committed 12 penalties in Week 1.

They followed that with 14 more against the Jets.

Twenty-six penalties for 231 yards through two games.

That’s not sustainable.

Green Bay overcame those mistakes against New York, but eventually they’re going to cost this team another game.

Playing at Lambeau should eliminate some of the communication challenges that come with playing on the road.

Now the Packers need to prove they can play disciplined football.

2. Welcome Back, Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta is making a change at quarterback.

Michael Penix Jr. will make his season debut Thursday after working his way back from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season.

That immediately makes Atlanta more interesting.

Penix has weapons around him, including Drake London, Kyle Pitts and one of the league’s most dangerous running backs in Bijan Robinson.

But there is a difference between being medically cleared and immediately finding your rhythm in an NFL game.

And making your return on a short week at Lambeau isn’t exactly an easy assignment.

Green Bay needs to make Penix uncomfortable early.

3. Can the Packers Stop Bijan Robinson?

This might be the biggest matchup of the night.

Atlanta’s offense revolves around Bijan Robinson, and Green Bay can’t allow him to control the game.

The Packers defense made several huge plays against the Jets, particularly late in the game.

Now the challenge is being consistent for four quarters.

If Green Bay can contain Robinson and put Atlanta into obvious passing situations, it gives the pass rush opportunities to attack a quarterback playing his first game since suffering a major knee injury.

If Robinson gets rolling?

Thursday night could become much more uncomfortable than Packers fans expect.

A Chance to Build Some Momentum

The Packers haven’t played particularly clean football through two weeks.

They’re also one fourth-quarter collapse away from being 2–0.

That’s why Thursday feels important.

Green Bay survived New York.

Now the Packers have an opportunity to return home, clean up the mistakes and put together their first complete performance of the season.

Atlanta will be desperate at 0–2.

Penix gives the Falcons a new element offensively.

And Robinson is capable of changing a game by himself.

Green Bay shouldn’t take this matchup lightly.

But if the Packers can eliminate the penalties, stop the run and pressure Penix?

They should have an opportunity to give Lambeau Field something to celebrate in its first game of the 2026 season.