GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) — After two dramatically different games to open the season, the Green Bay Packers are back at Lambeau Field for a primetime matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football.

Green Bay enters Week 3 at 1-1, looking for some consistency after a roller-coaster start.

The Packers opened the season with a frustrating loss to the Minnesota Vikings before escaping East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a victory over the New York Jets in Week 2.

Now, Jordan Love and the Packers return home with a chance to move above .500 in front of a Lambeau Field crowd already filling Green Bay hours before kickoff.

Atlanta will bring another challenge — and a new quarterback.

The Falcons announced Michael Penix Jr. will start Thursday night as he returns from a knee injury that kept him out of the first two games of the season.

Penix was selected eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, a move that drew attention after Atlanta signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract earlier that offseason.

Penix eventually took over the starting job during his rookie season and entered 2025 as Atlanta's starter. His season was later cut short after he suffered a left knee injury against the Carolina Panthers and underwent surgery to repair a partially torn ACL.

Thursday will mark his return to the starting lineup.

Packers navigating early injuries

Green Bay is already dealing with several injuries just three weeks into the season.

Zach Bako-Bewele is out for the season, adding another loss to an offensive line that has already dealt with injuries and uncertainty.

Wide receiver Jayden Reed will also miss Thursday night's game, leaving Love and head coach Matt LaFleur to work with a thinner group of offensive weapons.

Still, the Packers have options.

Christian Watson remains one of Green Bay's top downfield threats, while Matthew Golden will have another opportunity to take on a larger role in the passing game.

Golden has put together a solid opening two weeks after an offseason filled with expectations surrounding the former first-round pick.

Tight end Tucker Kraft could also become particularly important if Atlanta is able to pressure Love. Kraft gives Green Bay a reliable option in the middle of the field and could serve as a safety valve when plays break down.

For Love, protecting the football will be critical as Green Bay looks to establish some offensive rhythm after an uneven first two weeks.

Van Ness looks to build on breakout performance

One of the biggest positives to come out of Green Bay's Week 2 victory was the play of Lukas Van Ness.

The edge rusher delivered one of the strongest performances of his career against the Jets and will look to carry that momentum into Thursday night.

Green Bay will need its defense at its best against an Atlanta offense that features two of the NFL's most dangerous skill-position players.

Running back Bijan Robinson gives the Falcons a threat both as a runner and receiver, making containing him one of Green Bay's biggest defensive priorities.

Atlanta also has wide receiver Drake London on the outside.

That will put pressure on a Packers secondary led by safeties Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams to prevent explosive plays and make Penix uncomfortable in his return.

For Green Bay, the formula is straightforward: limit Robinson, pressure Penix and avoid giving Atlanta easy opportunities.

Primetime returns to Lambeau

Long before kickoff, the atmosphere around Green Bay had already shifted into game mode.

Fans poured into the city throughout the day, with tailgates underway around Lambeau Field ahead of the Packers' first Thursday night home game of the season.

After one loss, one win and plenty of drama through the first two weeks, Thursday night offers Green Bay an opportunity to settle in.

A win would move the Packers to 2-1 and give them some momentum heading deeper into the season.

Under the lights at Lambeau, the next chapter of Green Bay's season begins Thursday night.