In the words of Michael Penix Jr., the Atlanta Falcons flipped the script in Week 4. The offense finally got into gear, and the defense did enough to hold off the Commanders’ offense.
Due to how exceptionally good he is and has been, we will be leaving Bijan Robinson off the list this week so that we can finally acknowledge some of his peers. Here’s the Week 4 three up and three down.
This is the performance fans have been waiting for. London looked like the power slot monster he was all of 2024, but it was more than just his alignment that contributed to his success. The routes were sharper, the hands were reliable, and he turned in his best game as a blocker.
I think that shoulder injury was doing more damage than perceived, and who knows, maybe Hilliard was missing the mark in the receivers room. Whatever the case may be, London is back on track. If he can stay on it, this offense will have more performances like the one it had on Sunday.
The best thing that can be said about Pitts’ 2025 campaign is that he has been the most consistent and reliable receiving target. If you had told fans that would be the case in 2024, they would’ve laughed in your face, but this is no laughing matter. Pitts has been wide open in the red zone every game this season, and the Falcons finally capitalized on it in Week 4, but Pitts never let the misses affect his play. He’s been a more effective chip blocker, has a better understanding of how to operate in the soft zone, and he’s accumulating yards after the catch.
Pitts is currently top 10 or better in every meaningful category for tight ends. Now, Pitts needs to finish this season the way he started it.
Many should feel silly for calling for Penix’s job last week, and it serves as a good reminder that this sport isn’t for the easily influenced. Raheem Morris was emphatic when addressing the team’s quarterback depth chart and Penix’s solidified place at the top of it. There will be growing pains, but you can’t let those cloud your confidence.
Penix responded to a low point with a high point, throwing for 313 yards while being nearly perfect on passes, and was aggressive and didn’t shy away from difficult throws, like the one that led to an interception. He needs to have the freedom to make those mistakes because he is at his best when he lets the ball rip, and his arm allows him to break the rules now and then. Zac Robinson’s move to the sideline seemed to pay off, but the most significant difference was Penix’s execution.
After a strong showing last week, Alford got exposed in this matchup against the Commanders, where he was targeted five times and gave up four receptions to go along with two penalties. When going up against more physical receivers, Alford’s grabby and aggressive nature can be a positive, but that was not the case Sunday, where he saw a shifty group of wideouts. The defensive back was beaten consistently, even on plays where the ball wasn’t going his way, and this was to be expected.
Alford isn’t a starter in this league anymore, but he remains a serviceable depth piece that can be called upon when needed. It’s also worth noting that his counterpart, Mike Hughes, didn’t have a great day either, but was 3/5 when targeted, with a PBU and no penalties.
The Mooney magic has been missing from the 2025 offense. Last year’s free agent darling is this season’s redheaded stepchild. Mooney is on pace for the most drops of his career and is currently posting the second-lowest yards per route run figure (1.04) in his career. To make matters worse, the receiver left the game with a hamstring injury.
Health, rust, and a lack of chemistry with a new quarterback have plagued Mooney in his second year. The bye week will give him time to recover and hit the jugs machine. If Mooney can get back to form, then this offense can be even more impressive than what we just saw.
The Falcons are getting absolutely destroyed in the field position battle. Atlanta is 7th-worst in opponents’ average starting field position, with opponents starting around their own 34-yard line. The team is also 4th-worst in starting field position, starting at approximately their own 29-yard line. The coverage units (outside of Mike Ford) have been a disaster this season.
Atlanta is helping its opponents travel less for points, while making it even more difficult for themselves. The returners need to dial in and improve upon fielding knuckleballs, while the coverage units need to clean up their lane discipline and stop giving opponents an alley to escape to.
The Falcons are 2-2 and heading into an early bye that is actually right on time. A quarter of the season has already passed, but nothing is set in stone. The Falcons are set up to obtain any future they want, but they’ll have to go out and take it; no one is going to hand it to them.
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