The Washington Commanders look to snap a three-game losing streak in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Washington was shocked by the Chicago Bears, 40-20, in last week’s edition of Thursday Night Football. Meanwhile, the Falcons are coming off an impressive last-second win over the Houston Texans. Atlanta, much like Washington, began the season 2-0 and is led by a second-year quarterback in Desmond Ridder.
Buy Commanders TicketsThe Falcons are currently a half-game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first place in the NFC South. Atlanta is currently a two-point favorite over the Commanders in Week 6.
Now, here are six stats and/or facts to know about this weekend’s matchup.
Falcons rookie RB Bijan Robinson is already elite
Explosive backs 💥 pic.twitter.com/58wCaPwJ0M
— PFF (@PFF) October 10, 2023
The Falcons selected Bijan Robinson with a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. While Robinson has split carries with second-year running back Tyler Allgeier early this season, he’s already rushed for 364 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt, and is fourth on the team with 146 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with two rushing touchdowns. The Commanders will have their hands full with Robinson.
Falcons trade for a wide receiver this week
The Falcons have yet to get their passing game going this season. Atlanta has spent top-10 picks over the last three years on tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and Robinson. Ridder has struggled at times, but the Falcons are a run-first team. However, in an effort to give the passing game a boost, Atlanta exchanged draft compensation with the Los Angeles Rams for wide receiver Van Jefferson.
A 2020 second-round pick, Jefferson caught six touchdowns in 2021. The Falcons are hoping he can take some of the pressure off London outside. He’ll make his Atlanta debut on Sunday.
The Commanders have the statistically better offense
The Falcons are built to run the football. However, they rank No. 13 in rushing offense, which is a bit of a surprise. Atlanta is No. 23 in passing offense.
Overall, Washington is No. 18 in total offense, with the Falcons behind them at No. 20. The Commanders have the NFL’s No. 12 passing offense.
The Commanders on pace for some ugly history
Quarterback Sam Howell has been sacked 29 times. David Carr of the 2002 Houston Texans holds the NFL record of being sacked the most in a single season (76). Howell is on pace to shatter that record.
Defensively, the Commanders have allowed 30 or more points in four consecutive games. Washington is on a historic pace to allow 544 points in 2023, which would break the NFL single-season record held by Baltimore Colts (1981). Keep in mind, this is with an extra game, but that’s still brutal.
Commanders lead the series 17-10-1
The Commanders lead the all-time series, 17-10-1, and one of those games includes a playoff win over the Falcons in Jan. 1992. This is the third consecutive year these teams have met.
Taylor Heinicke was QB the last two times the Commanders beat the Falcons
The Commanders have won the last two meetings between these franchises. Taylor Heinicke was Washington’s quarterback — he’s now the backup to Ridder. One of Heinicke’s greatest moments with Washington came in 2021, when he led a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Atlanta, 34-30. Heinicke passed for 290 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the win.
