The Falcons spent the first two weeks of the 2026 season looking like a mess. Two games later, they look like a different outfit entirely.
A 35-14 win in Green Bay in Week 3 set the tone, and Monday night’s 45-24 dismantling of the Saints in New Orleans kept the surge rolling. The common thread is easy to spot: Michael Penix is back, and Atlanta’s offense has taken off with him running the show.
Penix, who was cleared to return from last season’s torn ACL, has completed 33 of 45 passes for 479 yards and two touchdowns across the two wins. He hasn’t just been accurate - he’s been pushing the ball downfield and creating the kind of explosive plays that change everything around him.
That passing threat has opened the door for Atlanta’s ground game to hammer away. Bijan Robinson has piled up 339 rushing yards and four touchdowns over the last two victories, while Brian Robinson has added 117 yards and four more scores.
Safety Jessie Bates said the difference has been obvious.
“We just want to show the world who we can be,” Bates said, via Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com. “The first two weeks were not up to our standards.
Obviously, when you got [Penix] back there dealing, it’s a whole different team. So, we’re just excited to continue to go with this.”
Atlanta came into the season with plenty of skill-position talent, but it didn’t matter much without competent quarterback play to unlock it. With Penix back, the pieces have started to fit, and the Falcons suddenly look like a team with a much brighter path ahead.
In Other News...
Falcons Just Added Backfield Depth Fans May Want To Track
The Falcons added another name to the backfield mix this week, signing running back Jam Miller to the practice squad while moving on from Cash Jones to clear the roster spot. It is the kind of small transaction that can matter later, especially for a team that keeps an eye on depth at running back throughout the season.
Miller arrives with an unusual backstory for a midseason addition. He was originally drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but an injury led to his release before the season began. After working his way back, he reportedly stood out in a workout for Atlanta and now gets a chance to show whether that look can turn into something more. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Domecoming Disaster Got Even More Disturbing In The Stands
The Falcons left the Caesars Superdome with a lopsided win, but the day carried a heavier emotional backdrop than a normal rivalry game. The matchup marked 20 years since the first Saints game back after Hurricane Katrina, and instead of a celebratory homecoming, the building turned tense as New Orleans absorbed a 45-24 loss and slid to 1-3 on the season.
The unease in the stands only added to the mood. During the game, a Saints fan fell on the steep steps in the 600 level, though he appeared conscious and was helped by nearby fans, a jarring scene inside a stadium that was already hearing plenty of frustration from the home crowd. The Saints are still winless at home, and after another rough afternoon, the pressure around the team is starting to feel as loud as the disappointment in the seats. [Read more 🡒]
Drake London Said Exactly What Falcons Fans Love About Beating The Saints
The Falcons had the Saints in a familiar spot by halftime, up 24-7 and well in control, but the lead only kept growing from there. By the end of the game, Atlanta had pushed the margin to 31 points, a reminder that this rivalry still carries plenty of edge when the Falcons get rolling.
Drake London was right in the middle of it, finishing with five catches for 96 yards and again looking like one of Michael Penix Jr.'s most reliable targets. He also spoke to the extra motivation behind Atlanta's continued push to score, tying it back to a previous Saints moment involving Jameis Winston, which only added another layer to a win Falcons fans will happily savor. [Read more 🡒]