Atlanta Falcons rally to defeat Washington Commanders in thrilling matchup

In an electrifying Week 4 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Falcons rallied in the final minutes to defeat a banged-up Commanders team 34-27, improving their record to 2-2 while dropping Washington to 2-2. With 70,523 fans roaring in a tense atmosphere, Michael Penix Jr. redeemed himself after a shaky debut, Bijan Robinson shined, and Marcus Mariota led a resilient but ultimately insufficient offensive effort for his former team.

Game Summary:

First Quarter: Atlanta opened with a 69-yard drive capped by a rushing touchdown from Bijan Robinson (7-0). Washington responded with a field goal by Matt Gay (7-3), but the Falcons extended their lead with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Penix to Drake London, followed by another TD from Robinson (14-3).

Second Quarter: The Commanders cut the deficit with a touchdown pass from Mariota to Deebo Samuel (14-10), but Atlanta answered with a field goal by Parker Romo before halftime (17-10).

Third Quarter: Washington tied the game with a rushing touchdown by Chris Rodriguez Jr. (17-17), but Penix connected with Kyle Pitts for a key touchdown (24-17).

Fourth Quarter: Mariota orchestrated a 99-yard drive for another touchdown pass to Samuel (24-24), but Atlanta countered with a field goal by Romo (27-24). In the final moments, Penix led a 14-play drive for a 26-yard field goal (30-24), and after a field goal by Gay (30-27), the Falcons recovered the onside kick thanks to Kyle Pitts, sealing the victory with kneel-downs by Penix.

Game Notes: Atlanta Falcons (2-2): Michael Penix Jr. bounced back from his worst NFL start with 22 of 32 passes for 245 yards, two TDs and no interceptions, showing maturity on third downs. Bijan Robinson exploded for a career-high 181 total yards and two TDs, while Drake London added 100 yards and a TD on eight receptions. The defense forced a key interception of Mariota (by Xavier Watts) and limited Washington to 157 rushing yards. "This is an apology to our fans after last week's shutout," said HC Raheem Morris.

Washington Commanders (2-2): Marcus Mariota, formerly of Atlanta (5-8 as a starter in 2022), completed 16 of 27 for 156 yards, two TDs and one INT, aided by a strong rushing attack (157 yards, second in the NFL). Deebo Samuel shined with 72 yards and two TDs on six receptions, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. had a highlight-reel 49-yard run. Without Jayden Daniels (knee injury) and Terry McLaurin (out), the offense struggled, but their commitment to the run game kept them in the game. Washington has failed to force a turnover in three games, a costly statistic.

Key moment: Kyle Pitts' recovery of the onside kick with 1:33 remaining allowed Atlanta to run out the clock and avoid overtime. Penix's final drive (69 yards in 14 plays) consumed nearly seven minutes, highlighting the Falcons' resilience.

Divisional context: Atlanta, after a 24-0 shutout against Carolina in Week 3, enters its Week 5 bye with momentum, hosting Buffalo and San Francisco afterward. Washington, coming off a 41-24 win over Las Vegas, faces a tough schedule without Daniels, but their rushing attack (157 yards per game) is a strength. Historically, the Falcons lead 28-18-1 vs. the Commanders. The Commanders, and this victory reignites their hopes in the NFC South. In summary: A back-and-forth game where Atlanta's decisive final drive—with Penix and Robinson as heroes—outshined the efforts of a depleted Washington team. The Falcons showed their depth after being shut out, while the Commanders will need to make some adjustments without their star player.