The NFL today update is dominated by a major Thursday Night Football result as the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14 at Lambeau Field on September 24, opening Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season with a statement victory.
The Falcons entered the game without a win after two weeks, while Green Bay had started the season 1-1. Atlanta changed the momentum dramatically behind the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., a huge performance from Bijan Robinson and an outstanding night from wide receiver Drake London.
With the Thursday game complete, attention now turns to the rest of NFL Week 3, which features 14 games on Sunday and a Monday Night Football matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears.
Falcons Beat Packers 35-14 in Thursday Night Football
Atlanta produced one of the biggest results of the early 2026 NFL season by beating Green Bay 35-14 at Lambeau Field.
The Packers scored first, but the Falcons responded with 27 consecutive points, turning the game into a comfortable Atlanta victory. Green Bay struggled to generate consistent offensive production, while Atlanta repeatedly found openings against the Packers defense.
The Falcons finished with 498 total yards, highlighting how effectively their offense performed throughout the game.
The victory moved Atlanta to 1-2, while Green Bay also dropped to 1-2.
Michael Penix Jr. Returns to NFL Action
One of the biggest storylines coming into Thursday night’s game was the return of Michael Penix Jr.
Penix made his first start of the 2026 season after being sidelined since suffering a season-ending knee injury last November. The Falcons had used Cooper Rush during their first two games while Penix and Tua Tagovailoa dealt with injuries.
Penix initially had a slow start, but he settled into the game and consistently connected with Atlanta’s playmakers.
His return gives the Falcons another major storyline to follow as the season continues.
Bijan Robinson and Drake London Lead Atlanta
The Falcons’ offensive stars produced huge numbers.
Running back Bijan Robinson recorded more than 200 scrimmage yards and scored two touchdowns, while wide receiver Drake London caught nine passes for 194 yards.
Their performances helped Atlanta control the game and maintain pressure on Green Bay throughout the second half.
For fantasy football players and NFL fans, Robinson and London are now two of the players generating significant attention heading into the next week.
Packers Struggle on Offense
Green Bay entered Week 3 after splitting its opening two games, but Thursday night’s performance exposed problems on both sides of the ball.
The Packers offense struggled to maintain rhythm, while the defense allowed Atlanta to produce nearly 500 yards.
Green Bay also entered the game dealing with several inactive players, including wide receiver Jayden Reed and offensive lineman Aaron Banks.
The Packers will now have to regroup before their next game.
NFL Week 3 Schedule: What Happens Next?
The NFL Week 3 schedule continues on Sunday, September 27, with a full slate of games.
Some of the most notable matchups include:
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Buffalo Bills
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Denver Broncos
- Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders
The week concludes Monday night when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Chicago Bears.
Chiefs vs Dolphins Is One of Week 3’s Key Games
The Kansas City Chiefs enter Week 3 at 2-0 after their overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Kansas City defeated Indianapolis 33-30, with Patrick Mahomes throwing for 382 yards and three touchdowns.
The Chiefs will now travel to Miami to face the Dolphins.
Miami, meanwhile, enters the matchup looking for a turnaround after losing its first two games. The Week 3 meeting therefore provides another major storyline for NFL fans heading into Sunday’s action.
Bills Continue to Attract Attention
The Buffalo Bills are another team generating significant attention after opening the season 2-0.
NFL.com’s Week 3 power rankings highlighted Buffalo’s explosive offense and Josh Allen’s strong start under head coach Joe Brady.
Allen’s performances have made the Bills one of the major storylines to monitor as the 2026 season develops.
Their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Rams vs Broncos: A Major Sunday Night Matchup
Sunday Night Football will feature the Los Angeles Rams against the Denver Broncos.
Both teams bounced back in Week 2 after disappointing opening performances, making this one of the more interesting matchups of Week 3.
The Rams also remain a major topic in early-season NFL discussions after Matthew Stafford’s strong Week 2 performance. ESPN’s latest power-ranking coverage continues to track the movement of teams across the league following the first two weeks.
What NFL Fans Should Watch This Weekend
Several storylines could dominate NFL coverage over the next few days:
Quarterback performances: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford and other quarterbacks are under the spotlight.
Injuries: Several teams are already dealing with important injuries, making the Week 3 injury reports particularly important for fans and fantasy football players.
Rookie and young-player performances: Early-season breakout performances can quickly change the outlook for teams.
Team records: With three weeks of the season underway, teams are beginning to separate themselves in their respective divisions.
NFL Today Update: The Bigger Picture
The 2026 NFL season is still in its early stages, so one or two games can dramatically change the conversation around a team.
Atlanta’s 35-14 victory over Green Bay is a clear example. The Falcons entered Thursday night at 0-2, but their convincing road win immediately changed the discussion surrounding their season.
For Green Bay, the loss raises questions about the team’s consistency after a 1-1 start.
Meanwhile, undefeated or strong-starting teams such as the Seahawks and Bills continue to receive attention, while several other teams are looking to stabilize their seasons in Week 3. NFL.com’s latest power rankings have Seattle and Buffalo at the top after two weeks.
The biggest NFL storylines will continue to develop as Sunday’s games arrive.
Final Takeaway
The latest NFL today update shows that the 2026 season is already producing unexpected results. The Atlanta Falcons’ 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers has become the opening headline of Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson and Drake London leading the way.
Now, NFL fans will turn their attention to Sunday’s games, including Chiefs-Dolphins, Chargers-Bills, Ravens-Cowboys and Rams-Broncos.
With the season still in its early weeks, the results of Week 3 could significantly reshape the NFL conversation heading into Week 4.
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