Game Preview, Week 4: Washington at Atlanta Falcons
September 27, 2025
by Steve Thomas
Washington looks to continue its outstanding plan against the Raiders in week 3 in another winnable game this week against the Atlanta Falcons, who were blanked by the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. As a result of week 3, this is a game in which everyone should favor Washington, regardless of the fact that it is in Atlanta and the fact that Washington’s star quarterback Jayden Daniels will not play. Expectations, of course, mean nothing, as Washington has managed to disappoint in winnable games many times through recent seasons. Never forget that they looked terrible against the Giants just three weeks ago. Still, though, if Washington plays like they did against the Raiders, including outstanding special teams, a solid running game, and dominance in the trenches, this game really should go well. Will this actually happen? We’ll all know the answer on Sunday afternoon. Our game preview is below.
Game time & location: Sunday, September 28, 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; parking lots open 9:30 a.m.
Television: CBS
Television announcers: Ian Eagle, JJ Watt, Evan Washburn
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: Click here
Falcons radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 226 (Atlanta broad.); 381 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: Click here
Washington depth chart: Click here
Falcons roster: Click here
Falcons depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Falcons: 18 – 10 – 1 (last 10: 4 – 6)
Last meeting: W, December 29, 2024, 30 – 24
Falcons record: 1 – 2 (3rd place) / NFC: 1 – 2 / Home: 0 – 1
Washington record: 2 – 1 (2nd place) / NFC: 2 – 1 / Away: 2 – 1
Early odds: Washington, -1.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Washington’s secondary needs to perform
Washington’s secondary suffered some injuries in the Raiders game last week, and now have to face two outstanding receivers in Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. At times this year, the secondary has shown weaknesses, and Penix has thrown 36 or more passes in two of the Falcons’ three games so far this season. Teams doubtlessly see some weaknesses in Washington’s secondary, particularly given the injury situation. In this game, Washington needs to emphasize coverage on London and Pitts and not let those two players dominate the game.
Pressure on Michael Penix
In similar fashion, Washington needs to put Penix under a significant amount of pressure without resorting to an abundance of blitzing. Penix ended up getting benched last week after the game against the Panthers really got out of hand, but he only had a 50% completion percentage when he left the game. The best way to limit the impact of London and Pitts is to pressure Penix. Washinton did a great job of this last week, and this needs to continue. Watch out for whether the interior defensive linemen, Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw, can create pressure in the middle against the Falcons.
Offensive line dominance
A major factor in the Raiders win was keeping Marcus Mariota clean and upright. That will continue to be important throughout the year, but in particular against the Falcons. I do not believe the Falcons defense is talented enough to stop Washington’s offense absent significant blitzing and pressure that actually reaches Mariota. Also, with both Terry McLauring and Noah Brown are both out, Washington’s receiver group is down to the bare minimum; consequently, it’s going to be absolutely essentially that Washington’s rushing attack is first and foremost in this game, and that starts with offensive line dominance.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Drake London vs. Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos
Drake London may by on par with Terry McLaurin in terms of talent and production, certainly right now. London’s performance against Washington’s #1 corner, Trey Amos (!) and Marshon Lattimore will be tested in this game, and Michael Penix’s ability to produce will in no small measure be determined by how well Amos and Lattimore can handle this matchup.
Kyle Pitts is yet another hyper-athletic tight end, which is exactly the type who have tortured Washington’s defense. In my view, it’s primarily up to Wagner to limit Pitts’ ability to go crazy in Washington’s secondary, particularly with starting safety Will Harris now gone for the year.
Daron Payne vs Chris Lindstrom
This matchup may seem a bit of the beaten path, but Payne has played very well this year, and he’ll need to continue to perform in order to keep Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson in check, as well as to pressure Penix from the middle of the trenches. Lindstrom is a 3x Pro Bowler and 3x Second-Team All-Pro, so this is actually a highlight matchup in this game.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Washington | Falcons |
| TE J. Bates, calf/groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | RB N. Carter, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| WR N. Brown, groin/knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR K. Hodge, groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| S P. Butler, hip; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP ; Fri: DNP; game: Q | CB A.J. Terrell; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| RB J. Croskey-Merritt, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: FP; game: Q | LB J. Woods, NIR (personal); Wed: NL; Thurs: DNP |
| WR T. McLaurin, quad; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR J. Agnew, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP: Fri: FP |
| QB J. Daniels, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: O | LB J. Pearce, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| CB T. Amos, calf; Wed:LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | S D. Hellams, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| TE C. Yankoff, ankle; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP: Fri: FP | TE K. Pitts, toe; Wed: LP’ Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| WR C. Washington, concussion; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP: Fri: FP | |
| DE L. Floyd, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: DNP | |
| WR D. Mooney NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: DNP | |
| DL D. Onyemata NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: DNP | |
| ILB K. Ellis NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: LP | |
| T J. Matthews NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: LP |
Steve’s Prediction
There are potential difficulties in this game, most prominently being the rash of serious injuries to important starters, but I think Washington eeks out a victory, 20 – 13.
Elevated
WR Tay Martin
Inactives
WR Terry McLaurin
WR Noah Brown
TE John Bates