A week ago, Atlanta’s season appeared finished. Now it resembles an actual contest. The Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14 in Week 3, and the shift came down to Michael Penix Jr., who came back from a torn ACL to play again. That victory altered how people viewed a team that began 0-2.
Penix’s Return Changes the Offense
Penix isn’t a top-10 quarterback in the NFL. He might not even be a top-15 quarterback. But he’s proven himself to be an adequate signal-caller, at the very least. On his best days, you can trust him to not lose you the game, something that you can’t say for Cooper Rush and Jack Strand, who filled in for Rush in Week 2.
The Falcons’ new-look offense seems to fit Penix better. That matters because the first two weeks showed the team wasn’t completely QB-proof. Rush looked overmatched, and Strand was of no help either. Even Bijan Robinson, the electric running back who led the league in rushing yards last season, was neutralized heavily. Teams could stack the box and key in on the run without worrying about the passing attack.
Robinson is the heart of Atlanta’s offense. His elusiveness and breakaway speed make him a dangerous threat on the ground. Drake London, the big-bodied wide receiver, is an underrated player who’s a threat in all areas of the field. Kyle Pitts, the tight end, is a solid receiving threat on his own. The offensive line is solid too.
The NFC South Is Weak
The Falcons’ path to the playoffs depends on the division they play in. The NFC South is the weakest division in football, and that benefits Atlanta. With Penix throwing the ball, the Falcons stand a far better chance against the teams that have improved this season.
Both the New Orleans Saints (1-1) and the Carolina Panthers (2-0) have improved, and their quarterbacks are driving it. Bryce Young is playing like the first overall pick, and Tyler Shough is quickly outplaying his draft position. The Falcons aren’t saying they’re better than these teams. In fact, the Panthers dominated Atlanta in Week 2 on both ends of the ball.
But the difference between the Falcons that played in Week 2 and the one that played in Week 3 is night and day. Atlanta’s defense got roasted by Young in Week 2, but the defense also suffered from the offense’s inability to move the chains. With an offense that won’t give the defense good field position every other drive, Atlanta might be better equipped to stop Young.
The Quarterback Question
Penix isn’t Cooper Rush. That’s the whole point. Atlanta needs him to be better than what he’s already shown to succeed. The team’s success in the 2026 season depends on whether Penix can step up in the coming weeks.
The Falcons have quietly assembled one of the better offensive cores in the NFL. Robinson, London and Pitts provide Penix with weapons that most quarterbacks don’t have. The real test will be whether Penix can consistently find those weapons when defenses start to tighten around him.
What Comes Next
The Falcons must continue winning games. The division is weak, which opens up the path to the postseason, though it also narrows the room for mistakes. Just one defeat against a rival from the same division could ruin their playoff hopes.
Here’s what Atlanta needs to do:
- Continue building chemistry with the new offense. Penix’s best days come when the offense moves smoothly around him.
- Maintain health across the roster. A team with injuries is a weaker team, especially with a young quarterback under pressure.
- Keep improving defensively. A balanced team is a harder team to beat.
The Bottom Line
Atlanta’s win over Green Bay, combined with a strong foundation of players and their position in the league’s weakest division, has put the Falcons back into the discussion about postseason contention. A playoff berth is far from assured, but these three factors together at least suggest it could happen.
In the coming weeks, the true test will reveal itself. Penix must show that he can carry the weight of being this team’s leader. Should he manage it, Atlanta has a legitimate claim. Right now, the Falcons possess a genuine opportunity. The division is thin enough that a squad with Penix directing the offense can contend with the clubs that have gotten better this year. Atlanta’s offense is strong enough to carry them through a playoff push, and the NFC South is bad enough that they don’t need to be flawless to make it through.
Source material: “Are the Falcons back? Examining Atlanta's playoff chances after Michael Penix Jr.'s return,” Yahoo Sports.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.