The Atlanta Falcons are heading into their Week 5 bye with a renewed sense of optimism, a .500 record, and a fanbase buzzing about the long-awaited emergence of tight end Kyle Pitts. After a rollercoaster start to the 2025 NFL season, Atlanta’s 34-27 home win over the Washington Commanders has given the team and its supporters something to celebrate—and, perhaps, a glimpse of what this young, talent-rich roster can achieve when everything clicks.
Let’s rewind for a moment. The Falcons, sitting at 2-2 and just a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South, have had their share of ups and downs already. Their 30-0 drubbing at the hands of the Carolina Panthers on September 21 was a low point, a game that head coach Raheem Morris bluntly called a “comedy of errors.” But sometimes, a humbling loss is exactly what a team needs to regroup—and that’s exactly what Atlanta did. The bounce-back win over the Commanders was not only a much-needed morale boost but also a showcase of the offensive firepower that’s been painstakingly assembled through four consecutive top-10 draft picks: Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Michael Penix Jr.
“It was great to get a win before the bye, obviously, but a week five bye is not the best,” tight end Kyle Pitts said after the victory. “But it’s all good going into that with a win.” That sentiment echoed throughout the locker room. While the timing of the bye is less than ideal—most players prefer a break later in the season, when the physical toll is heavier—there’s no question that a win makes the downtime sweeter and more productive.
For head coach Raheem Morris, the early bye is a chance to take stock. “It’s definitely a chance to go back and look at everything that you’ve done from all three phases of the ball and find out what you can do better and what you can add to it, or what you can take out, what you don’t like,” Morris explained. With four games in the books, the Falcons have a solid sample size to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. And while the defense—particularly the pass rush—remains a work in progress, the offensive identity is beginning to crystallize.
The Commanders game was a watershed moment for several reasons. It was the first time this season that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. connected on a touchdown pass to either a receiver or a tight end. Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in 2024, had faced criticism after a rough outing in Carolina, where he threw two interceptions and was replaced late by veteran Kirk Cousins. But against Washington, Penix rebounded in style, completing 20 of 26 passes for a career-best 313 yards and two touchdowns—one each to Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
“I was really encouraged that he would be able to do that,” Morris said of his young quarterback. “This young man is one of those guys who is the definition of grit, the definition of resilience... He had that game (at Carolina)... and we acknowledged it. We gave you guys what happened, what went wrong, and we came out and fixed it. I was proud of him.”
For Pitts, the breakout was especially sweet. After two years of injuries and inconsistent quarterback play, the 2021 No. 4 overall pick finally looked like the generational talent many expected. Pitts hauled in all five of his targets for 70 yards and a third-quarter touchdown. After the score, he spiked the ball, leaned back, and let out a roar—a cathartic moment that seemed to release years of frustration. When asked about the celebration, Pitts admitted, “Yes, I did. I wouldn’t say get off my chest, but just happy to score.”
Pitts’ resurgence is more than just a feel-good story; it’s a key piece of Atlanta’s offensive puzzle. He’s averaged 6.3 targets per game since Week 2, leads the Falcons in red-zone targets, and is finally running a full route tree, no longer relegated to a slot receiver role. Head coach Raheem Morris has noticed the difference. “He has been extremely impressive,” Morris said. “It’s kind of what we saw in the offseason. Nobody really wanted to believe it, and I was kind of hesitant to even talk about it because you just wanted to let him go do it, right?”
The chemistry between Pitts and Penix is growing by the week. Pitts himself credited “efficiency” and attention to detail for the offensive turnaround. “We just locked in during the week on the details and made sure that we didn’t make the same mistakes from last week this week,” he said. The numbers back up the eye test: Pitts’ route participation is north of 80%, and he’s become a reliable option for Penix, especially in the red zone.
Of course, the Falcons’ offense isn’t a one-man show. Running back Bijan Robinson, the 2023 No. 8 pick, was electric against Washington, rushing for 75 yards and a touchdown and adding four catches for 106 yards—a career-high 181 yards from scrimmage. Fellow back Tyler Allgeier chipped in 51 yards and a score on the ground. The offensive line, while still inconsistent, gave Penix enough time to find his playmakers, and the play-action game was particularly effective.
Still, there are areas to address. The pass rush, a perennial concern in Atlanta, started the season strong but has faded in recent weeks. Morris acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “You want to go find ways to finish some of those sacks.” The defense will need to be at its best when the Falcons return from the bye to face the undefeated Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. The Bills boast one of the league’s most explosive offenses, ranking second in both total offense and scoring offense. It’s a daunting challenge, but also an opportunity for Atlanta to measure itself against the NFL’s elite.
From a fantasy football perspective, Pitts’ breakout has not gone unnoticed. His usage trends, red-zone role, and rapport with Penix are all pointing up, and fantasy managers are advised to hold or start Pitts confidently after the bye. Sportsbooks have already adjusted his season-long receiving yardage prop to 575.5 yards, and his red-zone target share has climbed above 20%. DFS players are circling Pitts as a low-cost, high-upside play, especially if Atlanta’s offense continues to find its rhythm.
As the Falcons pause to regroup and recharge, the pieces are in place for a compelling second act to their season. The offense is showing signs of life, the young core is delivering, and Kyle Pitts looks poised to finally fulfill his immense promise. The road ahead won’t be easy—especially with the Bills looming—but for the first time in a while, hope is alive and well in Atlanta.
When the Falcons take the field again on October 13, all eyes will be on how this group responds to its next big test. For now, though, Atlanta can savor a hard-earned win, a revitalized offense, and the tantalizing prospect of even better days ahead.
