The Atlanta Falcons have made several changes ahead of their Week 4 game against the Washington Commanders, following a significant loss to the Carolina Panthers. The team is set to host the Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
In response to last week’s 30-0 defeat, the Falcons moved offensive coordinator Zac Robinson from the booth to the sideline to call plays, aiming for better communication among coaches and players. Head coach Raheem Morris explained, “We need to be able to be more efficient, faster… Zac has been on the field his whole life. He sees the game just as well on the field as up in the box. … Being on the grass, he provides a different type of energy when he is down there talking to everybody, wideouts, the quarterback, our o-line, our coaches all involved on the headset, but him being around everything will be good for all of us.”
Additionally, wide receiver coach Ike Hilliard was released from his position earlier in the week. Pass game coordinator T.J. Yates has taken over coaching responsibilities for receivers. Morris described this decision as “performance based,” saying: “Right now, we have wideouts without touchdowns. Right now we have wideouts that are craving the ball… I have to make directional decisions for our group. You need to have the environment, you need to have the coaching, you need to have the detail, you need to have everything right in order to get your offense in the right direction.”
Cornerback A.J. Terrell remains sidelined due to injury and is expected back after Atlanta’s bye week; Dee Alford will continue filling his role in Sunday’s matchup.
Throughout practice this week:
– Tight end Kyle Pitts was limited at Wednesday’s session.
– Wide receiver Casey Washington participated fully Thursday after recovering from a concussion.
– On Friday, Terrell was ruled out for his second consecutive game.
Running back Bijan Robinson addressed teammates after last week’s loss: “I believe this can either break a team or make a team. For us, this needs to make this team… This loss right here, when people look back at it, this needs to be the week where we come together and it changed everything so we can become the team we want to become.”
Kicker Parker Romo missed both attempts during last weekend’s shutout loss; Morris said competition would continue until a reliable kicker emerges: “You have to do that until you get it right.” Ben Sauls was signed to Atlanta’s practice squad but Romo will remain active through Sunday’s contest.
On Sunday, Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback for Washington with Jayden Daniels out due to injury. Falcons safety Jessie Bates III commented: “Doesn’t matter who’s the quarterback… Whether it’s Mariota or Daniels, they both have amazing talent with being able to extend plays.”
Statistical highlights show that twelve of Atlanta’s fourteen home games against Washington were decided by single digits—including each of their last four meetings—marking Atlanta’s longest such streak versus an NFC opponent. The Falcons’ running game ranks first in NFL yards per rush up-the-middle (7.2) and third behind left tackle (7). Defensively they are allowing just 227.3 yards per game—second fewest league-wide so far this season—and represent their best defensive start since 1977.
