FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Falcons News Now is your go-to source for the real stories coming out of Flowery Branch each week. We're providing a one-stop shop for you to browse through all Falcons-related news at the end of every week of the 2025 season — who's winning reps, who's earning trust and what's happening in and around your favorite team.
From roster move analysis, practice intel, big-play highlights and so much more, this isn't just the news you need, it's what shapes Sundays in Atlanta.
Ultimately, if something matters to this locker room, it makes this newsletter.
So, if you eat, sleep and breathe Falcons football? This is your inside edge — every update, every storyline, all in one place. And this week? The Falcons are coming out of their bye to face the top dog in football in a prime-time slot. That's right, the Buffalo Bills are coming to town.
The News, Now
Key developments on the field and roster move analysis
The biggest news of the week involved the Falcons' defense being the highest ranked unit in all of football.
Five weeks into the season, the Atlanta Falcons have the top defense in the league. They rank No. 1 in total yards allowed per game (244), passing yards allowed per game (135) and first downs allowed per game (15). They've only given up eight touchdowns. They're getting off the field, too: With a third-down stop rate of 34.1%, which ranked sixth-best in the league.
The main injury news coming out of the Falcons' camp this week still revolved around A.J. Terrell. However, it was good news for the starting cornerback as both Terrell and head coach Raheem Morris signaled his return after two games off the field nursing a hamstring injury.
You can view all three Falcons injury reports below:
Thursday, Oct. 9: A.J. Terrell returns to practice
Friday, Oct. 10: Darnell Mooney misses second consecutive practice
Saturday, Oct. 11: Darnell Mooney ruled out of Monday Night Football, A.J. Terrell cleared
How did the rest of the league fair in Week 5 when the Falcons were on their bye? Tori McElhaney breaks it down in her weekly power rankings, while Will McFadden highlights the NFC South's performance.
Plus, check out this week's mailbags where Tori and Will answer your burning questions about the state of the Falcons.
Falcons Mailbag, No 1 via Tori McElhaney: Does Atlanta have enough wide receiver depth? What's new with Darnell Mooney?
Falcons Mailbag, No. 2 via Will McFadden: What wrinkles could the Falcons introduce after a week off? What sticks out about the matchup with the Bills?
Finally, this week's Nerdy Birds put a spotlight on the Falcons rookie class and how impactful they've been four games in. You can read that here.
Fan Zone Highlights
Tweets, videos, podcasts and throwback helmet content (!!!) you may have missed
The Atlanta Falcons video team released their seventh episode of the season of their longform content series, On The Rise. This episode recaps the Falcons bounce back from a tough loss in Carolina to redemption against the Commanders.
Falcons analysts Dave Archer, D.J. Shockley and Tori McElhaney joined host Taylor Vismor in studio for another roundtable, this time discussing what they believe the Falcons to be after four games in the book.
In the Nest
Behind-the-scenes stories, locker room insight into team culture
The Falcons brought in two big-time accolades over the bye week. Bijan Robinson was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month, while Xavier Watts was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month.
Robinson recorded a career-high 181 scrimmage yards in Week 4 and was the first Falcons running back to record 180+ scrimmage yards since 2017 (Devonta Freeman, 194). He has also recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards in all four games in 2025.
Meanwhile, Watts brought in his second career interception in Week 4 and became the fastest Falcon to reach 2-plus interceptions and 15-plus tackles over the last 30 seasons. He is one of just seven players to reach those marks in four career games or fewer over the last 10 seasons.
Off the field, they both made over headlines, too.
Robinson was spotted in JID's music video for his new song, "Sk8," which features Ciara and EarthGang.
For Watts, his Fighting Irish coaches and teammates spoke highly of his accolades this week. But for those who have known Watts for so long, his hot start was something they expected.
"Xavier Watts is a selfless, hard-working leader who is consistent in everything he does," Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said. "Nothing he is doing in the NFL is a surprise to his Notre Dame family."
Check out Terrin Waack's mini feature about Watts here.
Game Day Intel
Upcoming match previews and predictions
Falcons depth chart released for Week 6 vs. the Buffalo Bills
Who do the experts have taking the win Monday? Terrin Waack has got you covered with a comprehensive list in this week's Experts Picks.
Stats and milestones brought to you by StatsPerform:
- The Falcons are averaging 136.5 rush yards per game, the sixth-best mark in the NFL and have rushed for over 100 yards in each of their last three games. The Bills' run defense is allowing 145.6 rush yards per game, 28th in the NFL and have allowed 100+ yards rushing yards in four of their five games this season.
- The Falcons offensive line has allowed five sacks through four games this season, tied for their second-fewest sacks allowed through four games of a season all-time (2009 – two).
- Michael Penix Jr. threw for 313 passing yards and completed 76.9% of his passes against the Commanders, both career-highs (min. two attempts). It was the second 300-yard passing game of his career, making him the only Falcons quarterback to record multiple 300-yard passing games through the first seven starts of their NFL career.
Take in every detail of the iconic throwback uniforms of the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons will wear the throwbacks again this Monday night when they face off with the Buffalo Bills.
