The Atlanta Falcons secured a 34-27 victory over the Washington Commanders in their Week 4 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with an attendance of 71,492 fans.
Falcons wide receiver Drake London led all receivers with 110 yards, while running back Bijan Robinson added 106 receiving yards. This marks London’s seventh career game and Robinson’s third with at least 100 receiving yards. The pair became the first NFL wide receiver-running back duo to each have at least 100 receiving yards in a game since Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin and Jacquizz Rodgers achieved the feat in 2018. For Atlanta, it was the first such occurrence since Alfred Jackson and Williams Andrews did so in 1981.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed all 13 of his passes under ten air yards for 180 yards and two touchdowns, according to Next Gen Stats. Safety Xavier Watts recorded his second interception of his rookie season, becoming the first Falcons rookie with multiple interceptions through four games since Al Richardson and Kenny Johnson in 1980.
The Falcons defense registered two sacks against Washington, bringing their season total to ten—their highest through four games since 2017. Atlanta also limited Washington to one conversion on eight third-down attempts; the last time they held an opponent to one or fewer conversions was against Tampa Bay in Week 17 of the 2019 season.
Atlanta was the only NFC South team to win in Week 4. Their division rivals—the Buccaneers, Panthers, and Saints—all lost their respective games.
The Falcons’ offense scored its second-highest point total following a shutout loss in franchise history. The team’s record when leading by at least fifteen points entering the fourth quarter improved to 154-5 all-time.
Washington muffed two punts during the game, contributing to four muffed punts by Falcons opponents this season—the second most for Atlanta in a single year. The Commanders also failed on an onside kick attempt; teams are now zero-for-seven on onside kicks against Atlanta since Dallas recovered one successfully in Week 2 of the 2020 season.
Head coach Raheem Morris commented on rebounding from their previous loss: “They’re always big. But when you talk about coming off the nasty, disgusting taste we left out there for ourselves (against the Panthers), that was our apology to our fans today to be able to go out and get us a win so we can go out and enjoy our bye week and everybody can be happy.”
Morris also addressed London’s performance: “To stop you guys from writing about receivers not having touchdowns is beautiful.”
Drake London said about what this win means for team confidence: “It can mean the world to a lot of people. It meant the world to me.”
Safety Jessie Bates III looked ahead: “We need our fans. We need the whole city to come out and support us because we’re going to get hot. I know we will.”
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn analyzed Penix Jr.’s play: “Probably the run game. That allows you to run, play pass into that spot. We’ll dig into it and check. Probably made some good throws, honestly, on some, which, obviously, we know he’s capable of. It’s a talented group that didn’t play well last week.”
Quarterback Marcus Mariota reflected on returning to Atlanta: “Yeah, it was good to see a lot of old faces. Definitely wanted to come out with the win. But at the same time, it’s a good organization. A lot of good people there, and it was just fun to be out there again.”
Game leaders included Michael Penix Jr., who threw for 313 yards with two touchdowns; Bijan Robinson rushed for seventy-five yards and scored once; Drake London caught eight passes for one hundred ten yards and a touchdown.
With this win improving their record to two wins and two losses heading into an early bye week—one of only possible weeks available so soon—the Falcons will next face Buffalo at home during Monday Night Football on October thirteenth.
