The Atlanta Falcons hosted the Washington Commanders in what quickly became a must-win game following Atlanta’s 30-0 loss in Charlotte last week. In only the second home game of the season, the Falcons managed to score 34 points in a seven-point victory over the Commanders. Go figure.
“That was our apology to our fans,” Raheem Morris said about today’s victory and loss last week.
The final offensive possession for Atlanta displayed the potential this team has. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix ran for a first down, completed passes to tight end Kyle Pitts and Drake London, and commanded (pun intended)the offense like a veteran.
Sunday was Penix’s seventh career start.
“To be able to get this team win was awesome. Just seeing the guys respond after that tough loss last week,” Penix, Jr. said.
The Commanders entered the game on a four-game winning streak against the Falcons. Former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and the Commanders defeated the Falcons in Landover, Maryland, last season. This season, Washington is looking for a bit more motivation with former Falcons starting quarterback Marcus Mariota starting under center for the Commanders, with Jayden Daniels out.
The Falcons began the game by scoring on their first two possessions of the first quarter. The total time of possession and the usage of Bijan Robinson and Drake London were the highlights of the opening 15 minutes. The Falcons had the ball for 12:27 of the first quarter. During those two possessions, which ended in a 38-yard field goal for Parker Romo and a 5-yard touchdown catch for London from quarterback Michael Penix, Falcons offensive coordinator Zach Robinson mixed the playcalling up well. London had four receptions on that second possession, Robinson had 39 yards rushing on nine carries during the first quarter, and tight end Kyle Pitts caught a pass for a first down.
Washington, coming off a win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week, finally got the ball back late in the first quarter and began the second quarter with a touchdown drive that ended with a Mariota pass to receiver Luke McCaffrey for the Commanders’ first score of the game.
Ahead 17-10 following a 43-yard field goal by the Commanders, the Falcons’ offense was back on the field with 5:24 remaining in the first half. For the first time in the game, the Falcons failed to score a point during an offensive possession.
The Atlanta Falcons lead at the half, 17-10. It was a far cry from the scoreless performance against the Carolina Panthers a week earlier.
The Falcons’ defense started the second half by giving up a 16-yard play on a first and 30 in Washington’s territory. The Commanders dragged out a long offensive possession that included a Mariota run for 15 yards and a 52-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay to pull closer at 17-13. That drive ate up nearly five minutes.
The Falcons answered that score with a touchdown drive that took two plays: a screen pass from Penix to Robinson for 69 yards and a seven-yard touchdown reception by Pitts.
Falcons rookie safety Xavier Watts intercepted a Mariota pass midway through the third quarter to put the ball back in the hands of Penix and the offense. It’s hard to understand how this team managed to leave Carolina without any points. But they didn’t score on the next possession. Instead, Penix was intercepted on a long pass that put the Commaders back in Falcons territory. A 41-yard field goal by Gay made the score 24-16 in favor of the home team.
Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier has the patience of a saint. Despite running for 1,000 yards as a rookie three seasons ago, he seems content with getting the backup carries behind Robinson. Allgeier, who should be a well-sought-after free agent next season, scored on a 25-yard run down the Commaders’ sideline to put the Falcons ahead 31-16 at the end of the third quarter.
This season’s Falcons front line is much improved. Veteran linebacker Kaden Ellis and veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd shared a sack in the first half, and Ellis got another in the fourth quarter. Rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker wasn’t credited with a sack this game, but continued to put pressure on the Commanders’ offensive line.