Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-06 · by Bill Trocchi The Associated Press
During a Monday Night Football match against the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons scored an impressive 45-24 victory thanks largely to Michael Penix Jr.'s efficient play and the Robinson brothers' dominance in the running game. With Bijan Robinson contributing 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns while Brian Robinson added three more scores and 62 rushing yards, the Falcons have transformed from one of the lowest-scoring teams to leading scorers since Penix returned as starter. Coach Kevin Stefanski praised Penix’s performance, highlighting his mistake-free play and ability to spread the ball effectively, including a key deep pass to Drake London for a touchdown.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
The Atlanta Falcons’ running game has taken the pressure off quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in his return to the starting offense.
asserted
game → take → offense
Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson combined to rush for 207 yards and five touchdowns as the Falcons’ offense continued their dramatic turnaround with Penix as the starter in Atlanta’s 45-24 win on “Monday Night Football” at New Orleans.
asserted
offense → combine → Orleans
The Falcons have gone from the lowest-scoring team in the league to the highest with the return of Penix, who has led his team to 80 points in the two weeks he’s been back.
asserted
he → go → weeks
In the season’s opening two weeks, with reserve Cooper Rush at the controls, the Falcons scored just 16 combined points in losses to the Steelers and Panthers.
asserted
Falcons → open → Steelers
Atlanta’s dominant win over the Saints came on the heels of a 35-14 blowout at Green Bay on Sept. 24.
asserted
win → come → Sept.
A team that was booed off its home field after a 34-3 loss to the Panthers is now tied for first place in the NFC South after four games.
asserted
that → boo → games
“What do I think I’ve proven?
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I → think → What
That I’m healthy.
asserted
I → ’m → ?
That’s it,” said Penix, who tore his left ACL last November.
asserted
who → ’ → ACL
“I feel like we still got a lot of work to do.
asserted
we → feel → work
I’m not gonna sit here and say I’m satisfied.
asserted
I → go → ?
You know we still got a long season.”
asserted
we → know → season
Atlanta’s offense continues to focus on the running game, but Penix was efficient and avoided mistakes against the Saints.
asserted
Penix → continue → Saints
He completed 15 of 20 passes for 223 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
asserted
He → complete → touchdown
He spread the ball around, threw a deep 31-yard touchdown pass and led a mistake-free performance that produced six offensive touchdowns and the most points Atlanta has scored in a game since 2016.
asserted
Atlanta → spread → 2016
“Mike played well.
asserted
Mike → play → ?
He took care of the football, made some really good throws,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday.
asserted
Stefanski → take → throws
“I thought the throw late in the game, that third down, get the ball to Drake (London), which was an excellent play.
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which → think → Drake
There’s a bunch of great stuff out there, but I really like Mike’s demeanor on game day.
asserted
I → ’ → day
I like how he’s he’s operating.”
What’s working
Did we mention the offense?
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we → like → offense
Beyond stars Bijan Robinson (19 carries, 145 yards, 2 TDs), London (five catches, 96 yards), the Falcons were also able to address other areas.
asserted
Falcons → address → areas
Tight end Kyle Pitts had three catches for 47 yards after entering the game with just two receptions on the season.
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Pitts → have → season
Jahan Dotson had two catches for 54 yards and a TD as the Falcons search for a No. 2 wide receiver behind London.
asserted
Falcons → have → London
The offensive line paved the way for 205 rushing yards and 5.9 yards per attempt, but perhaps even more importantly, allowed the oft-injured Penix to be sacked just once.
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Penix → pave → attempt
What needs help
The Falcons knew wide receiver Chris Olave would be the focus of the Saints’ passing game and he was still able to finish with eight catches and 116 yards.
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he → need → catches
The Saints were also able to finish three of their four trips to the red zone with touchdowns, though one was in the final two minutes with the game decided.
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game → finish → minutes
Stock up
Can Bijan Robinson’s stock get much higher?
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stock → get → ?
On the third play from scrimmage, Robinson ran for a 59-yard touchdown, hitting a top speed of 21.78 mph according to NextGen stats, which is the second fastest by a ball carrier this season.
uncertain
which → run → carrier
The Falcons have faced a league-high 178 pass attempts, mostly because of having big leads the past two weeks.
asserted
Falcons → face → leads
Despite that high number, Atlanta has just one interception this season.
asserted
Atlanta → have → interception
It is also tied for 22nd in sacks with seven.
asserted
It → tie → seven
Defensive end Za’Darius Smith was down for several minutes in the first quarter, but jogged off the field.
asserted
Smith → jog → field
He was ruled out with a concussion.
asserted
He → rule → concussion
Left tackle Jake Matthews left with a groin injury in the first half and did not return.
asserted
Matthews → leave → half
Key number
3 — career touchdown runs of at least 50 yards by Bijan Robinson, with all three coming on “Monday Night Football.
asserted
three → come → Football
What’s next
The Falcons will play their third straight primetime game when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
asserted
they → ’ → Sunday
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