Falcons’ 35-14 Win Over Packers Silences PTI’s ‘20-Point Loss’ Prediction

Key points

• Michael Penix Jr. threw for 256 yards and a touchdown in a 35-14 win over Green Bay, snapping the Packers' 13-year home-opener winning streak.
• Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser predicted a 20-point Packers victory on Pardon the Interruption, a prediction that was immediately invalidated by the Falcons' performance.
• The Falcons had started the season with two losses due to injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Penix, forcing third-stringer Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand to play.
• Green Bay’s offense struggled with an injured offensive line and poor pass protection, with head coach Matt LaFleur admitting the team is not in a good place.
• Penix’s recovery from a third ACL surgery was highlighted by teammates as a display of resilience, particularly after he cried in the locker room during the final preseason game.

Background

The Falcons began the 2026-27 season with a 0-2 record after both Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. missed the first two weeks with injuries. This resulted in two starts for Cooper Rush, who was eventually replaced by undrafted rookie Jack Strand following a 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The team had previously struggled with organizational changes, including the departure of Kirk Cousins and the firing of the previous head coach and general manager.

How outlets are covering it

Pardon the Interruption hosts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser were highly critical of the Falcons, with Wilbon predicting a 20-point Packers win and Kornheiser calling the team 'terrible' and 'awful.' In contrast, the Atlanta Falcons' official site emphasized Penix's resilience and his 101.4 quarterback rating, while the Green Bay Packers' official site focused on the team's collective failures, with Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love acknowledging the need for improvement across all units.

Why it matters

The Falcons' victory marks a significant turnaround for a franchise that was widely mocked for its organizational decisions and quarterback instability. It also highlights the fragility of pregame predictions in the NFL, as the Packers' 13-year home-opener winning streak was ended by a team that was considered a likely blowout loss just days prior.

What to watch

The Falcons will face three consecutive weeks of nationally televised games, while the Packers will have a long weekend to address their offensive line and pass protection issues. Both teams will need to determine if their current rosters can sustain performance through a long season.