Atlanta Falcons Fly High Over Washington Commanders In Week 4 Showdown
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Washington Commanders 34-27 on Sunday afternoon. The Commanders fell to 2-2, while the Falcons improved to 2-2. While their records are the same, the game tells a different story of what happened. Simply put, the Atlanta Falcons showed up on all fronts, while the Commanders struggled to find their groove. The game may have been close, but the Falcons dominated.
The Past
Does home advantage matter? The last time the Commanders and the Falcons met was at FedEx Field in Maryland. What was at stake? A spot in the 2024 Playoffs for the rookie Quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Tied at the end of the fourth quarter, Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. had a showdown in overtime. In OT, Daniels threw a touchdown pass to Ertz, clinching the playoff spots for the Commanders.
The Present
On September 28, 2025, the Falcons and the Commanders faced off for the first time since 2024. But this time, it was different. It is the start of the season, and Penix Jr. has apologized to his team and fan base for his poor performances after the 30-0 loss to the Panthers in Week 3. He kept true to his promise. Though there was no Daniels this time around (Daniels is out due to an injury), Penix Jr. was able to score two touchdowns and lead his team to victory.
The Bird Is the Word
The Falcons didn’t just lean into their strengths; they wrapped themselves in them like a weighted blanket and dared Washington to try and pull it off. Atlanta’s run game was pure poetry in motion, with Bijan Robinson running 75 yards like he was auditioning for a highlight reel. The offensive line? Straight-up bullies in the best way, opening lanes and keeping Penix Jr. upright long enough to make smart, non-chaotic decisions.
And when the defense needed to step up, they didn’t just show up! It was a masterclass in playing to your identity: run hard, hit harder, and let Penix Jr. manage the chaos instead of creating it. When you win the trenches and control the clock, you usually win the game, and Atlanta proved that with style.
The Future
The outcome of today’s battle still leaves questions for the future. Atlanta may have won, but is it because of home-field advantage? Is it because Daniels wasn’t available to challenge the Falcons’ defense? Or is it because Penix Jr. and the Falcons had more drive to succeed due to poor performance? Either way, the season is just starting, and so are the theories. Let’s see what these young quarterbacks can bring to the game and to their next showdown.
