Probably no team has had a bigger turnaround this season than the Falcons, which scored only 16 points in their first two games against the Steelers and Panthers. In the opener, Bijan Robinson did everything, and no one else had more than 5.7 points. In game 2, Robinson did much less, and no one else had more than 8.9, while Atlanta's third-and fourth-string QBs combined for negative points.
Now this team has racked up 80 points in back-to-back road games. Researching this last night, I could find only five examples of teams scoring more than 80 points in back-to-back road games. Only two teams have done it since 1967: the 2024 Bills and 2007 Patriots.
Of course, those offenses were led by Josh Allen and Tom Brady in their primes. Allen racked up 854 total yards and 10 TDs. Brady had 747 yards and 11 TDs. That Bills team reached the AFC title game, falling to the Chiefs in the closing minutes. The Patriots team scored the second-most regular-season points in NFL history and missed out on a Super Bowl title in the closing seconds.
The Falcons have dominated entirely differently. The WR/TE group is one of the most lopsided in the league. This summer, the fantasy market believed Kyle Pitts could be a weekly starter, and some (like me) believed someone like Zachariah Branch could emerge as a serviceable alternative. But no. It's been Drake London or bust.
Except London hasn't scored yet. Michael Penix has thrown only a couple TD passes on 45 attempts.
What makes this team different is the Robinsons. Bijan is on pace for 2,610 offensive yards and 21 touchdowns. Brian is on pace for 914 and 17. Granted, last night's results skew these projections. But that's also the point: Bijan has elite upside regardless of who's at quarterback, and Brian has been more than serviceable when playing with QBs Sam Howell, Taylor Heinicke, and Carson Wentz.
Whether or not Lamar Jackson plays next weekend, Atlanta's three fantasy-relevant players (adding Brian to this group) are set up nicely at home against the Ravens, and then the following week at home against a Bears squad yielding the fourth-most yards per carry. And who knows? Maybe Penix will be called on to do more after serving as more of a game manager throughout his young career. If he's forced to step up, the Bijan/London tandem could help carry him to weekly startability.
For the Saints, another disastrous Kendre Miller outing should solidify Alvin Kamara's fantasy standing, regardless of whether he scores. Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson have been startable in every game, and Devaughn Vele has been startable in three of four. With rookie Jordyn Tyson reportedly not close to returning, this will remain a fairly strong trio.
My question is "how strong," because Tyler Shough has attempted 180 passes, putting him on pace for 765, which would easily break Tom Brady's NFL single-season record. It also would be nearly double Shough's college season-high. He was nowhere near this active last season, when he was on pace for only 505 throws. Is this the new norm with a more experienced Shough at the helm? Maybe. Is it a function of having a relatively unreliable running game and porous defense? Probably.
Finally, I would be surprised if Kendre Miller continues to be the #2 RB for much longer. Maybe UDFA CJ Donaldson is ready to step up. Miller has received the benefit of the doubt because he was a former third-round pick, and because he keeps getting hurt (not his fault). Pedestrian or sub-pedestrian running and losing fumbles are a bad combo. Miller is headed for free agency, and I doubt this team will re-sign him. At some point they might have nothing to lose by pushing Miller aside and seeing what they have in Donaldson or a deep backup on the practice squad.
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