The Atlanta Falcons didn’t lose in Week 5, but it still kinda feels like they did. While the Falcons were resting, the rest of the NFC South (the Saints, Panthers, and the Buccaneers) all picked up wins, tightening what is already a brutal divisional race.
While the Falcons were resting, the rest of the NFC South (the Saints, Panthers, and the Buccaneers) all picked up wins, tightening what is already a brutal divisional race.
Despite that, in NFL Spin Zone’s Lou Scataglia's latest Power Rankings, the Falcons actually jumped five spots to No. 18 despite not actively taking the field.
Small, yes, but it's a notable sign that there’s still optimism around this team, even if the results haven’t matched their potential.
Week 5 bye serves the Falcons with the perfect reality check
Atlanta’s first month was just about as uneven as it gets.
After getting embarrassed 30-0 by Carolina in Week 3, the Falcons bounced back with a much sharper effort against Washington.
Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. finally looked comfortable pushing the ball downfield, averaging over 11 yards per completion while getting Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London all involved.
The question is, coming out the bye, can the Falcons sustain that?
The Falcons are all in on the Penix era, and that means growing pains. The former No. 8 overall pick has shown flashes of elite arm talent, but he’s still learning the speed and timing of the NFL game.
Sure Atlanta’s offensive identity is forming around him, but that process takes time.
The good news for Atlanta is that Penix doesn’t have to be perfect right now. The Falcons have a deep, well-balanced roster and a defense under Raheem Morris that’s good enough to keep them in games while the offense continues to settle in.
At 2-2, the Falcons sit second in the NFC South. The Buccaneers have the early advantage with their explosive offense and Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner Emeka Egbuka, but no one in this division looks unbeatable.
In fact, for all their ups and downs, the Falcons are really just one solid stretch away from climbing right back to the top.
Their rise to No. 18 in NFL Spin Zone’s Week 6 rankings reflects that potential. This isn’t a broken team, just one searching for consistency.
And now with the rest of the NFC South heating up, Penix and company have no time to waste turning potential into production.
The bye is over. The questions are louder. And for the Falcons, the answers will have to come on the field, and that starts against the reigning MVP.