Falcons Seek First Win vs. Injured Packers

The Green Bay Packers will host the Atlanta Falcons for their first "Thursday Night Football" game of the 2026 season at historic Lambeau Field. The Packers enter the game with a 1-1 record, while the Falcons are searching for their inaugural win at 0-2.

Green Bay's season began with a 39-point loss to Minnesota. However, Jordan Love and the team rallied in Week 2, overcoming a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Jets 20-17 in overtime. This victory came at a cost, with wide receiver Jayden Reed sidelined by a neck injury and tackle Zach Bako-Bewele out for the season due to a knee injury. Guard Aaron Banks is also unavailable for Thursday's game, further depleting the offensive line.

The Packers are also without running back Josh Jacobs, who is on the Commissioner's exempt list. This situation places additional pressure on Love and the passing game, as Green Bay has struggled to establish a ground attack.

Meanwhile, Atlanta is desperate for a turnaround after an uninspiring 0-2 start. The Falcons have managed only 16 points combined and are the sole NFL offense yet to reach the red zone this season. This marks the fourth instance since 1978 that a team has failed to achieve this through two games.

Michael Penix Jr. is set to return to the starting lineup for the Falcons for the first time since his ACL tear last season. His return offers hope for Atlanta's offense, featuring Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts.

This game also serves as Green Bay's 2026 home opener, meaning the Falcons will face the challenging atmosphere of Lambeau Field. USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates and highlights for the Week 3 contest. Fans in local markets can watch on NBC 26 in Green Bay and Fox 5 in Atlanta, while others can stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.