Primetime Roundtable: The lights are shining bright in Atlanta

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 05: Brian Robinson Jr. #15 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with Zachariah Branch #17 and Chris Lindstrom #63 after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of the game at Caesars Superdome on October 05, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After looking hopeless in the first two weeks of the season, the Falcons have suddenly become one of the league’s more prolific scoring teams. Getting Michael Penix Jr. back on the field was necessary for the offense to start functioning at a professional level. Since his return, the team has produced two incredibly impressive road wins, led by a thunderous running game and an ultra-aggressive defense that doesn’t commit self-inflicted errors.

Kevin Stefanski, Tommy Rees, and Jeff Ulbrich have worked wonders around certain personnel limitations and injury crises outside the quarterback position. These performances have injected optimism into a fan base that has been looking for any sign of sustainable success. Kevin Knight and Aaron Freeman join me to discuss what has gone into their recent resurgence.

What has been most impressive about what Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees have done to make the Falcons prolific?

Allen Strk: The personnel usage to create more high-percentage looks through the air and varied designs in the running game stands out schematically. It gives Michael Penix Jr. the space to operate in the most comfortable infrastructure imaginable after recovering from his third ACL knee surgery. He is getting the ball out faster and with more conviction into clear passing windows. That improvement led to exceptional efficiency on play-action while still having that explosive element, as shown on his 31-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson.

A heavy dose of 12, 22, and 23 personnel has been effective for the ground game, but Stefanski and Rees are utilizing role players effectively to punish opposing fronts. Kyle Pitts, Chris Blair, and Austin Hooper have been used as fullbacks at various points.

Nick Muse is playing more often to provide more push in heavier sets. Olamide Zaccheaus and Zachariah Branch are being motioned to the side where the run is directed to create space at the second level. These added nuances to the game plan have helped the Falcons produce a jaw-dropping 60.3% run success rate over the last two weeks.

Aaron Freeman: Weaponizing the play-action passing has been the most positive development. The diversity in the run game has also been a welcome addition. Rees and Stefanski are building an offense that marries the run and passing games. It’s been extremely effective in Penix Jr.’s first two starts. It’ll be fun to watch it grow and develop the rest of the way.

Kevin Knight: The simplest answer is that coaching from top to bottom has improved. The only notable offensive coaches the Falcons had under Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson were Dwayne Ledford and Kevin Koger. Atlanta kept Koger, then upgraded from Ledford to the legendary Bill Callahan.

They also drastically improved their QB coaching with Alex Van Pelt. Tommy Rees also appears to be a significant upgrade over Zac Robinson, who might be one of the worst play-callers in the league based on his early results in Tampa Bay.

In terms of what those coaches have done specifically, I think it’s pretty simple: Stefanski and Rees looked at this roster and installed a scheme based on the talent they had available. Such a simple thing, but so very important. It was obvious that Atlanta should’ve been a run-heavy, play-action focused offense with an explosive passing game for years. In just a month, this scheme looks better than whatever abomination Robinson installed previously.

How does Jeff Ulbrich move forward with Harold Perkins Jr. after his breakout performance?

Allen Strk: Perkins Jr. has seen his playing time rapidly rise over the last two games. Some of it can be attributed to the game script. He played 43 and 52 snaps against Green Bay and New Orleans, compared to only 24 and 26 against Pittsburgh and Carolina. Based on his showing, it could become the norm for the former LSU standout. Perkins Jr. was outstanding last Monday night, showcasing his range, instincts, physicality, and dependability as a tackler.

From cleanly breaking up an out route on Juwan Johnson to running in stride with Alvin Kamara to prevent a big play off a wheel route, the sixth-round pick was up for whatever was thrown at him. Kendal Daniels has played well and provides that downhill ferocity to stop the run.

What Perkins Jr. brings to the table with his skill set makes it hard to leave him off the field, mainly in passing situations. It seems inevitable that Ulbrich will continue to put as much on Perkins Jr.’s plate as possible, given his dynamic capabilities.

Aaron Freeman: With no changes. Perkins is featured exclusively in the team’s nickel subpackage, while Daniels gets all the work in the base and big nickel sets. That delineation suits their skill sets. Perkins’ superior speed makes him more impactful in space or rushing the quarterback on obvious passing downs. In contrast, Daniels’ superior size and instincts make him best suited as a run defender.

The Falcons can keep both players in their current roles without needing to change anything. The only real adjustment depends on matchups. If the Falcons face a bigger, more physical tight end, Daniels is probably the better option. But if it’s an athletic player like Johnson, we just saw how effective Perkins can be in those battles.

Kevin Knight: Ulbrich seems pretty committed to a rotation at linebacker, but I think Perkins Jr. will continue to dominate the snap share. He was simply too good to ignore against the Saints, putting out some incredible coverage reps alongside a great all-around performance. After starting the season behind Daniels (67.2%) with a 34.3% snap share, the two have swapped places in the lineup. Over the past two games, Perkins has seen his snap share jump to 65.2% and 70.3%, with Daniels moving into the third linebacker spot.

My long-term view is that the Falcons view both as starting-quality linebackers. The plan could be for Perkins Jr. and Daniels to take over the starting jobs in 2027. To that end, the team would be wise to make sure both are getting live game reps this season.

It’s possible that Daniels moves to backup and special teams status if Perkins keeps playing like this, but for now, I’d expect the rotation to continue. I also don’t think the team is pulling Divine Deablo off the field anytime soon unless his injuries continue to drag him down. He’s a major leader, and his communication is likely critical to how the defense functions.

Have any offensive linemen elevated their play in particular in the back-to-back dominant wins?

Allen Strk: After being a step behind far too often at the start of the season, Jawaan Taylor has picked it up during this road stretch. He plays with a nasty streak the offensive line lacked last year after Kaleb McGary’s season-ending injury (and eventual retirement). There were moments in both dominant wins that he mauled whoever was in front of him, whether it was an edge defender or a linebacker at the

Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.