The Falcoholic
The Atlanta Falcons put together a performance worthy of eyeball bleach in Week 3, failing to score a point — or even cross the Panthers’ 30-yard-line — through four quarters. It was an abysmal performance, one that led to the firing of wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson moving down from the press box to the field for play-calling duties.
Those changes might bear fruit for the Falcons, but it’s certainly not the reason that FanDuel has Atlanta as the favorite over Washington by 2.5 points on Sunday. No, the main reason is the injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin that will cause both to miss the game.
Daniels did not play in Week 3 due to a knee injury, and Terry McLaurin is dealing with a quad injury that he picked up last week against the Raiders. With Washington without its top two playmakers, you can see why the oddsmakers see the Falcons with a slight advantage at home.
What they will do with that opportunity is anybody’s best guess. Quarterback Michael Penix looked dreadful against the Panthers, routinely overthrowing receivers and tossing a pick-six on an awful read. Atlanta will need much more out of its young quarterback if it is to take home a win on Sunday.
For Washington, they will trot out Marcus Mariota in relief of Daniels, and the thought of a Mariota revenge game sends shudders down the spines of the Falcons’ faithful. Mariota was effective in Week 3 against the Raiders, completing 15 of 21 passes with one touchdown, and added 40 yards and a score on the ground.
With the bye and the Bills looming and Atlanta at 1-2, this feels like an absolute must-win game. The Falcons must take advantage of a banged-up Commanders squad on Sunday.
