The Atlanta Falcons have won four games this season, but Sunday’s 38-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers was the first time they did so without trailing in the final minute. So what changed in Week 6?
While playing the one-win Panthers certainly helped, the Falcons had more success running the ball than they have in recent weeks. After finishing with 73 total rushing yards in Week 5, running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier combined to rush for 200 yards against the Panthers.
Sunday’s game provided more evidence that this team can win in multiple ways. Quarterback Kirk Cousins followed up his 509-yard, four-touchdown performance with an efficient 225 passing yards, one touchdown and zero turnovers.
With Atlanta holding a 22-17 lead at halftime, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson approached Cousins to discuss the second-half game plan. The Falcons QB had a simple message for Robinson:
“I like running the football,” said Cousins.
Kirk Cousins said OC Zac Robinson came up to him at halftime and asked him what he liked.
"I like running the football."
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 14, 2024
Robinson clearly heard the message and the ground attack took over for the final two quarters. Allgeier led the way with a season-high 105 rushing yards on just 18 carries while Bijan Robinson added 95 yards on 15 carries.
Atlanta finished with more total yards than Carolina and won time of possession in Sunday’s NFC South showdown. The Falcons’ schedule will get even tougher over the next few games.
In Week 7, the team will host the Seattle Seahawks before battling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys in back-to-back weeks.
