Your one-stop shop for all the Atlanta Falcons news you may have missed this week.

Tori McElhaney

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. Falcons News Now is your go-to source for the real stories coming out of Flowery Branch each week. We're providing a one-stop shop for you to browse through all Falcons-related news at the end of every week of the 2025 season who's winning reps, who's earning trust and what's happening in and around your favorite team.

From roster move analysis, practice intel, big-play highlights and so much more, this isn't just the news you need, it's what shapes Sundays in Atlanta.

Ultimately, if something matters to this locker room, it makes this newsletter.

So, if you eat, sleep and breathe Falcons football? This is your inside edge every update, every storyline, all in one place. And this week? The Falcons are coming out of their bye to face the top dog in football in a prime-time slot. That's right, the Buffalo Bills are coming to town.

The News, Now

Key developments on the field and roster move analysis

The biggest news of the week involved theFalcons' defense being the highest ranked unitin all of football.

Five weeks into the season, the Atlanta Falcons have the top defense in the league. They rank No. 1 in total yards allowed per game (244), passing yards allowed per game (135) and first downs allowed per game (15). They've only given up eight touchdowns. They're getting off the field, too: With a third-down stop rate of 34.1%, which ranked sixth-best in the league.

The AtlantaFalcons.com editorial team took a deep dive into defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's coaching philosophy ofHeart,Mind,Fistto explore how this positive uptick has taken hold so quickly. You can view the entire project by clicking the tab below.

The main injury news coming out of the Falcons' camp this week still revolved around A.J. Terrell. However, it was good news for the starting cornerback as both Terrell and head coach Raheem Morrissignaled his returnafter two games off the field nursing a hamstring injury.

You can view all three Falcons injury reports below:

Thursday, Oct. 9:A.J. Terrell returns to practice

Friday, Oct. 10:Darnell Mooney misses second consecutive practice

Saturday, Oct. 11:Darnell Mooney ruled out of Monday Night Football, A.J. Terrell cleared

How did the rest of the league fair in Week 5 when the Falcons were on their bye? Tori McElhaney breaks it down in herweekly power rankings,while Will McFadden highlights theNFC South's performance.

Plus, check out this week's mailbags where Tori and Will answer your burning questions about the state of the Falcons.

Falcons Mailbag, No 1 via Tori McElhaney: Does Atlanta have enough wide receiver depth? What's new with Darnell Mooney?

Falcons Mailbag, No. 2 via Will McFadden: What wrinkles could the Falcons introduce after a week off? What sticks out about the matchup with the Bills?

Finally, this week's Nerdy Birds put a spotlight on the Falcons rookie class and how impactful they've been four games in.You can read that here.

Fan Zone Highlights

Tweets, videos, podcasts and throwback helmet content (!!!) you may have missed

The Atlanta Falcons video team released their seventh episode of the season of their longform content series, On The Rise. This episode recaps the Falcons bounce back from a tough loss in Carolina to redemption against the Commanders.

Falcons analysts Dave Archer, D.J. Shockley and Tori McElhaney joined host Taylor Vismor in studio for another roundtable, this time discussing what they believe the Falcons to be after four games in the book.

In the Nest

Behind-the-scenes stories, locker room insight into team culture

The Falcons brought in two big-time accolades over the bye week.Bijan Robinson was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month, whileXavier Watts was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month.

Robinson recorded a career-high 181 scrimmage yards in Week 4 and was the first Falcons running back to record 180+ scrimmage yards since 2017 (Devonta Freeman, 194). He has also recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards in all four games in 2025.

Meanwhile, Watts brought in his second career interception in Week 4 and became the fastest Falcon to reach 2-plus interceptions and 15-plus tackles over the last 30 seasons. He is one of just seven players to reach those marks in four career games or fewer over the last 10 seasons.

Off the field, they both made over headlines, too.

Robinson was spotted in JID's music video for his new song, "Sk8," which features Ciara and EarthGang.

For Watts, his Fighting Irish coaches and teammates spoke highly of his accolades this week. But for those who have known Watts for so long, his hot start was something they expected.

"Xavier Watts is a selfless, hard-working leader who is consistent in everything he does," Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said. "Nothing he is doing in the NFL is a surprise to his Notre Dame family."

Check out Terrin Waack'smini feature about Watts here.

Game Day Intel

Upcoming match previews and predictions

Falconsdepth chart released for Week 6vs. the Buffalo Bills

Who do the experts have taking the win Monday? Terrin Waack has got you covered with a comprehensive list in this week'sExperts Picks.

Stats and milestones brought to you by StatsPerform:

• The Falcons are averaging 136.5 rush yards per game, the sixth-best mark in the NFL and have rushed for over 100 yards in each of their last three games. The Bills' run defense is allowing 145.6 rush yards per game, 28th in the NFL and have allowed 100+ yards rushing yards in four of their five games this season.
• The Falcons offensive line has allowed five sacks through four games this season, tied for their second-fewest sacks allowed through four games of a season all-time (2009 two).
• Michael Penix Jr. threw for 313 passing yards and completed 76.9% of his passes against the Commanders, both career-highs (min. two attempts). It was the second 300-yard passing game of his career, making him the only Falcons quarterback to record multiple 300-yard passing games through the first seven starts of their NFL career.

Up Next

Videos

The red helmet is BACK! | Behind the Scenes: Throwback Uniform Shoot

Videos

A.J. Terrell Jr., Bijan Robinson & other Falcons on preparing to take on Buffalo

Videos

On The Rise | S5E7 | Offense comes to life in NFC matchup

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QB Michael Penix Jr. week 6 media availability | Press Conference

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Week 6 Media Availability | Thursday, October 9th | Press Conference

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The confidence within Michael Penix Jr.

Videos

Who are the 2025 Atlanta Falcons? | What we've learned in the five weeks

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Head Coach Raheem Morris Week 6 Media Availability | Tuesday, October 7th | Press Conference

Videos

Miniature NFL Game | Tilt-Shift Lens | Falcons vs Commanders

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Atlanta Falcons offense rebounds in a compelling showing vs. Washington Commanders | A Mini Movie

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Is Bijan Robinson an alien? Breaking down the top plays from Bijan's 181 yard game | Film Review

Videos

Brandon Dorlus mic'd up against the Washington Commanders

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Week 5 Media Availability | Monday, September 29th | Press Conference

Videos

Kyle Pitts Sr. & Matthew Bergeron on the upcoming bye after the win vs Washington

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Falcons top plays vs. Commanders | Highlights | Week 4

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Raheem Morris postgame victory speech | Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons

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Drake London's best plays from 110-yard game vs. Commanders Week 4

Videos

Bijan Robinson & other Falcons on the Week 4 win vs the Washington Commanders

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Michael Penix Jr.'s best plays from 313 yard game vs. Commanders

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Michael Penix Jr. reflects on Atlanta Falcons win over Washington Commanders | Press Conference

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris on Falcons Week 4 WIN over the Washington Commanders | Press Conference

Videos

Commanders vs. Falcons highlights | Week 4

Videos

Drake London postgame interview after Week 4 win over Commanders

Videos

Drake London's brilliant stretching catch keeps drive alive for Falcons

Videos

Penix Jr. zips a 22-yard dart to Pitts

Videos

Can't-Miss Play: Truck-stick TD! Allgeier drops a Commander into the turf at goal line

Videos

Bijan's leaping grab picks up first down for Falcons

Videos

Xavier Watts picks off Marcus Mariota in end zone

Videos

Can't-Miss Play: Michael Penix with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts

Videos

Falcons special teams plays fast and hard on punt return

Videos

Can't-Miss Play: 69-yard pickup! Bijan Robinson torches Commanders after catching Penix Jr.'s short pass

Videos

Falcons get big sack and 6-yard loss to end Commanders drive

Videos

Bijan shows off balance on 14-yard touchdown run

Videos

Can't-Miss Play: Penix Jr. dials launch codes to London for 43-yard completion

Videos

Michael Penix Jr's touchdown pass to Drake London gives Falcons 10-0 lead

Videos

Drake London makes leaping grab to convert first down

Videos

Mariota sacked for a 3-yard loss

Videos

Parker Romo drills 38-yard field goal to give Falcons 3-0 lead

Videos

Penix links up with Pitts for 26 yard catch-and-run

Videos

Jessie Bates III & others on the upcoming matchup vs the Washington Commanders