ATLANTA, GA— After last week’s shutout loss to Carolina, Falcons coach Raheem Morris didn’t need long to see Michael Penix Jr. was ready to respond.
“Monday, when he came to work,” Morris said. “I believed in him that day.”
That faith paid off Sunday. Penix delivered the best performance of his young career, throwing for a career-high 313 yards and two touchdowns as Atlanta topped the short-handed Washington Commanders, 34–27, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The rookie quarterback completed 20 of 26 passes, directed the Falcons to 435 total yards — their highest output of the season — and showed poise leading a late fourth-quarter drive to secure the victory.
“What contributed to the response was the way the guys went about their business every day this week,” Penix said. “It showed true maturity and showed what this team is really about.”
Robinson Explodes
Bijan Robinson gave Penix plenty of support with a career-best 181 yards from scrimmage. The second-year back rushed 17 times for 75 yards, including a dazzling 14-yard touchdown run, and added 106 receiving yards on four catches. His highlight was a 69-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter that set up Penix’s scoring strike to tight end Kyle Pitts.
“We know we’re a very good offense, but you have to do the little things right,” Robinson said. “Today, we did.”
Commanders Fight Despite Injuries
Washington played without quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) and star receiver Terry McLaurin (quad). Marcus Mariota, starting in Daniels’ place, finished 16 of 27 for 156 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Deebo Samuel led the passing attack with six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, while Luke McCaffrey added another score. Rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. paced the ground game with 59 yards on seven carries.
“I know our team is going to battle,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said after facing his former team. “We ran the ball effectively at times, but we missed opportunities and beat ourselves in some key spots.”
London, Pitts Shine
Drake London turned in his strongest outing of the season, catching eight passes for 110 yards and a touchdown just days after the Falcons parted ways with wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard. Pitts also played a key role, hauling in five catches for 70 yards, including two crucial third-down conversions on Atlanta’s final drive.
That drive — 14 plays covering 69 yards — chewed up nearly seven minutes in the fourth quarter and ended with Parker Romo’s 26-yard field goal, extending the lead to 34–24 with under two minutes to play. Washington’s Matt Gay answered with a 42-yard kick, but Atlanta recovered the onside attempt to secure the win.
“It felt great knowing it was our game to close out,” Pitts said. “We just had to focus, hold the ball, and finish.”
Key Plays
Tyler Allgeier’s 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter stretched Atlanta’s lead to 31–16.
Mariota responded with a 24-yard TD to Samuel on fourth down, followed by a 2-point pass to Zach Ertz, pulling Washington within seven.
Penix sealed the game with three third-down conversions on the final drive: a scramble for five yards, a 22-yard completion to Pitts, and a nine-yard pass to London.
Injuries
Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels (knee) missed his second straight game. WR Terry McLaurin (quad) was also sidelined.
Falcons: WR Darnell Mooney (hamstring) exited in the third quarter. CB Natron Brooks (concussion) left in the second quarter after a kickoff return.
Up Next:
Commanders (1–3): Travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers next Sunday.
Falcons (2–2): Head into their bye week before hosting Buffalo on Monday night, Oct. 13.
