ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons took an early lead against the Washington Commanders and never let it go, winning their Week 4 matchup Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Final score: 34-27
Why it's important: The Falcons responded well after being shut out a week prior and now enter their bye riding a win. A 2-2 record should feel much better than 1-3, especially with the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers waiting for Atlanta after the break. Both were 3-0 entering Week 3.
Key takeaway: The offense quelled many concerns that swirled in the lead-up to Sunday's game. A wide receiver (Drake London) and tight end (Kyle Pitts Sr.) each caught a touchdown pass for the first time this season. There were multiple explosive plays, too, including three that went for more than 25 yards.
Key moment: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw a dart to running back Bijan Robinson during the Falcons' first drive of the second half that picked up 69 yards. Penix then finished the job with a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. That score pushed the Falcons ahead by two possessions, taking away the game from the Commanders.
Standout performance: Michael Penix Jr. The quarterback wasn't perfect – as evidenced by the third-quarter interception – but he ran a very balanced offense for the first time this season. The Falcons successfully ran the ball, gaining 131 yards rushing, but also speckled the field with passes and finished with 313 yards passing. Last week, the Falcons had 131 and 201, respectively. Penix had the first multi-interception game of his young career, including his first-ever pick-six, and was benched for backup Kirk Cousins. This was a good rebound performance from the second-year pro.
Player milestone:
- With his 14-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, running back Bijan Robinson reached 25 touchdowns from scrimmage in 38 career games. He's the second-fastest Falcons player to reach 25 scrimmage touchdowns, trailing only running back Gerald Riggs, who did so in 36 career games.
- Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had the longest completion of his career in two different ways. His 43-yard deep pass to wide receiver Drake London in the second quarter was his longest in air yards. Then, his 69-yard swing pass to Robinson in the third quarter was his longest in general.
- Inside linebacker Kaden Elliss and edge rusher Leonard Floyd combined for a sack in the second quarter. Elliss has recorded at least half a sack in six of his last 10 games. That's tied for most by a linebacker since Week 13 last year.
- Safety Xavier Watts picked off Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota in the third quarter, giving him two interceptions this season. He's the first Falcons rookie with multiple interceptions since linebacker Deion Jones had three in 2016.
Injury updates:
- Tight end Feleipe Franks injured his arm and was deemed questionable to return early in the second quarter. He returned to play in the same quarter.
- Cornerback Natrone Brooks went down after a hard hit during a kick return in the second quarter. He was later ruled out with a concussion.
- Wide receiver Darnell Mooney was ruled out in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.
A quick tweet: The Falcons editorial staff of Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden and Terrin Waack share their gut reactions to Sunday's outcome in 280 characters or less.
- McElhaney: Now that's more like it.
- McFadden: When everything is in sync, the Falcons look like a mighty tough team to beat.
- Waack: The Falcons should be feeling much better heading into the bye.
Setting the storylines:
- Cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. was ruled inactive for the second consecutive game. Dee Alford started opposite Mike Hughes in his place.
- Commanders head coach Dan Quinn announced Friday that Jayden Daniels was not cleared to play due to his knee injury, so Marcus Mariota started. Mariota played for the Falcons in 2022.
- Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson moved from the coaches’ booth to the sideline in Week 4 to help improve play-calling communication.
- The Falcons struggled to return the knuckleball kick in Week 3, so the special teams unit repped it a lot this week in practice.
- Seven of the 14 NFL experts pulled each week predicted the Falcons would beat the Commanders.
- Catch up on all the news that came out in the lead-up to Sunday's game in one spot here.
Looking forward: The Falcons have a bye in Week 5. They'll return to action Oct. 13 with the Buffalo Bills coming to Atlanta for Week 6.
