The Atlanta Falcons head into New Orleans for Monday Night Football. They came off an impressive Thursday Night Football performance. Michael Penix Jr.‘s return proved to be just what the Falcons needed to get the ball rolling. His return helped the offense as a whole function better, with running back Bijan Robinson rushing for 194 yards and adding another 19 via receiving. In comparison, wide receiver Drake London added 194 receiving yards himself.
The defense also looks stellar early in the season. The defensive line has one of the league’s most impressive pass-rush success rates, creating pressure solely from the line. The back end has been impressive as well, with safety Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts keeping things settled. At the same time, C.J. Henderson has performed well in place of star cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. Terrell Jr.’s absence has also given more playing time to his brother, rookie Avieon Terrell, who already looks promising.
Atlanta will look to build on their prime-time performance from Week Three while also pushing ahead in the race with a divisional win. Things look positive for them, as the Saints are missing key players on defense, which could allow Week Three’s NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Robinson, to deliver another incredible performance.
The New Orleans Saints are awaiting the Atlanta Falcons for their Week Four matchup. This is more than a game for New Orleans, as it will mark the 20th anniversary of the Superdome‘s reopening after Hurricane Katrina. In that game, special teams player Steve Gleason blocked a punt in a moment so iconic that a statue commemorates it outside the stadium. The organization and the fanbase would want nothing more than to win this game, but it might be a challenge.
Young quarterback Tyler Shough has picked up where he left off last season and continues to look like a promising franchise quarterback. In Week Three against the Las Vegas Raiders, they showed the potential to score points in their 35-17 loss, with Shough throwing four touchdown passes to three different receivers, including star wide receiver Chris Olave.
New Orleans also shows their potential to commit turnovers, including a costly one to end the game. The Falcons’ defense would love to take advantage of those miscues, especially ball hawk safety Xavier Watts.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still looking for the first win of the season. That may prove difficult against the Green Bay Packers, as several key players are out for Week Four, including franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield, who suffered a thumb injury to his throwing hand in Week Three. It’s looking like a bounce-back. Game for Green Bay, which would slide the Buccaneers to a 0-4 record.
Though there’s a three-way tie for first in the NFC South, the Panthers are technically a half-game ahead, thanks to a divisional win over the Falcons in Week Two. That’s the bright side. The downside for Carolina is that they are also suffering tremendously from injury. Hosting the Lions, the Panthers are very thin at cornerback, with Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injury reserve, and two offensive linemen also dealing with injuries. Jared Goff could have a field day against Carolina’s secondary.
Going head-to-head against New Orleans, and with the Panthers and Buccaneers in bad injury shape, the Falcons have a chance to separate themselves and take the lead in the NFC South on Monday night.
