Across the last two weeks, the Atlanta Falcons have become living, breathing proof that you should not judge a book by its opening chapter. It's a long season, and there are ample opportunities for things to change, and in the NFL, things change at the drop of the hat and are never as they seem.
With Michael Penix Jr. out of the lineup for the first two weeks, The Falcons started the season off 0-2 and averaged eight points per game with Cooper Rush starting. They genuinely looked like one of the worst teams in football and were primed for a top pick in the 2027 Draft, but that was short-lived.
Since Penix returned in Week 3, this team has kicked things into second gear. Between two 21-point victories on primetime in Weeks 3 and 4, Atlanta is averaging 40 points per game, nearly 460 total yards per game, and have proved the team we saw the first two weeks isn't who this team actually will be this year. If anything, the last two weeks are more indicative of their direction.
The Falcons are a team that when they have the quarterback play, the offense can be electric. The run game has been humming, the play-action game is starting to come alive thanks to Penix and Tommy Rees, and the offensive line is showing up thanks to Bill Callahan.
This team hasn't made the playoffs in ages, but they look like possible contenders for the first time since Matt Ryan's playing days.
The Atlanta Falcons are finally being seen as a possible playoff contender
The annoying part about this league is how people can get bogged down by knee-jerk reactions. Too many people counted out Kevin Stefanski and the Falcons out before we could judge this team accurately. Of course they were struggling with an emergency QB. He could hardly move the ball.
But now because Penix is back and we're seeing improved QB play, people are finally starting to see this team for who they actually are: true competitors. They are firing on all cylinders, and Michael Penix Jr. is turning a corner and looking like a franchise guy, so this team finally looks dangerous.
According to SumerSports, the Falcons are atop the NFL in the following categories across the last two weeks:
- 1st in points scored
- 1st in EPA/play
- 1st in success %
- 1st in EPA/rush
- 1st in rush success %
- 1st in yards per pass attempt
- 1st in rushing yards per carry
- 1st in rushing yards after contact
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer is one of the first to admit he was wrong, as during his post-Week 4 notes, he gave insight that reveals he understands exactly why everyone was overlooking the Dirty Birds, but now that the former top-10 pick is back, it likely won't be that way for much longer.
"The Falcons are an example of why it’s dumb to draw sweeping conclusions after a week or two of the season," Breer wrote. "The Falcons’ star players are starting to play like stars, a veteran offensive line has settled in and Penix is developing in an environment where he doesn’t have to carry the team. The defense was good the first two weeks, and has been even better the past two."
It helps that the Dirty Birds have become one of the more fun teams to watch in football, on both sides of the ball. The 26-year-old is airing it out, but isn't being asked to do it all thanks to a run-heavy offense that gets to rely on one of the best in the business in Bijan Robinson to do the heavy lifting.
The mix of real QB and a coaching staff that knows how to get the most out of this roster has been a welcomed change. The passing game has come alive and you can never sleep on this run game. And don't even get me started on what Jeff Ulbrich and Nate Ollie have injected into this defense.
We heard Kevin Stefanski talk to the team after Monday's win over the Saints. The two-time Coach of the Year wanted to focus on getting them right for Sunday on a short week. Not celebrating a blowout win against their rivals. He cared more about the next game and not getting complacent. But they're also playing their brand of football by being physical and winning at the line of scrimmage.
This team has a sense of togetherness and brotherhood that we haven't seen in quite some time--and it's paying volumes. Since Michael Penix Jr. has returned, everyone has rallied between him, as he and Kevin Stefanski have turned those early doubters into new believers, as the Falcons look to have a shot of winning the NFC South and making the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons.
Add us as a preferred source on Google