Did the Falcons really just take down the Bills on Monday Night Football? You bet they did! In a stunning performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta secured a 24-14 victory, marking their first back-to-back wins of the 2025 season.
Why is this a big deal? The Falcons are now 3-2, demonstrating they can compete with (and defeat!) elite teams like the Buffalo Bills, led by the reigning MVP. This win provides a massive confidence boost, especially as they head into a challenging Week 7 road game against the 4-2 San Francisco 49ers. Can they keep the momentum going?
Before we dive deeper into the game, check out these related stories:
- Nerdy Birds: Falcons rookies making an early impact: https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/nerdy-birds-falcons-rookies-making-an-early-impact-james-pearce-jr-xavier-watts
- The Falcons have the No. 1 defense — Jeff Ulbrich expects more: https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-nfl-top-defense-jeff-ulbrich-better
- Xavier Watts' hot start doesn't surprise Notre Dame family: https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/xavier-watts-notre-dame-marcus-freeman
The Defensive Wall: The Falcons' defense was the star of the show, continuing their impressive streak of holding every opponent this season to under 300 total yards. And this is the part most people miss... the Bills, a high-powered offense, had consistently exceeded 356 yards in every game before facing Atlanta. The Falcons held them to a mere 291!
- Adding insult to injury, Atlanta forced Buffalo into four three-and-outs. The Bills hadn't had more than two in any game this season. Talk about a statement!
Player Spotlight: Dee Alford Shines. Filling in for the injured Billy Bowman Jr. at the nickel position, Dee Alford had a game to remember. He intercepted Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the second quarter, ending a promising drive for Buffalo just before halftime. But that's not all! Earlier in the same quarter, Alford also sacked Allen on a crucial third-and-8 play, forcing a punt.
- It's worth noting that Alford also stepped up in the previous two games while A.J. Terrell Jr. recovered from a hamstring injury. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich praised Alford's performance, stating, "I thought Dee Alford did an amazing job. He's done a great job for us, and he'll continue to have a big part of this defense." This speaks volumes about the depth and versatility of the Falcons' defensive unit.
Number to Know: 238. This represents the total scrimmage yards racked up by Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. This is the second-highest total by any NFL player this season, just one yard shy of Rico Dowdle's Week 6 performance against the Cowboys. Robinson is quickly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Player Milestones:
- Drake London: The wide receiver had a phenomenal first quarter, catching five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. These are his highest reception and yardage totals in any first quarter of his career. Notably, London has now scored a touchdown in six of his eight career prime-time games. He clearly thrives under the bright lights!
- Bijan Robinson: Robinson exploded for 138 rushing yards in the first half, marking the first time he's surpassed 100 rushing yards in any half of his career. This also means he's reached at least 100 scrimmage yards in all five games this season, tying William Andrews' 1983 start for the longest streak to begin a season in Falcons history.
- Team History: Monday's game was historic for the Falcons. It was the first time they had a player with at least 100 rushing yards and a touchdown (Robinson) and another with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown (London) in a single half. It then became the first game in team history where they had a player with at least 150 rushing yards and another with at least 150 receiving yards. Robinson and London truly dominated!
Injury Update:
- Left tackle Jake Matthews suffered an ankle injury late in the second quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. This ended Matthews' incredible streak of 183 consecutive starts, the longest active streak in the NFL. Michael Jerrell, acquired in a trade with the Seahawks, filled in. This is a tough loss, but Jerrell's presence provides some much-needed depth.
Key Moment: Bijan Robinson's electrifying 81-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter extended the Falcons' lead. He skillfully avoided a tackle by Bills safety Cole Bishop along the sideline and maintained his balance to stay in bounds. It was a game-changing play that showcased Robinson's incredible talent and determination.
- Robinson's 81-yard run is the longest by any NFL player this season.
- It's only the third rushing touchdown of at least 80 yards in Falcons history!
Quick Takes from the Falcons Editorial Team:
- Tori McElhaney: What Bijan Robinson has done is nothing short of a work of art.
- Will McFadden: That was both the most exhilarating and stress-inducing game I've experienced in awhile.
- Terrin Waack: DEANGELO MALONE
Setting the Stage:
- The Falcons were missing their Nos. 2 and 3 wide receivers; Darnell Mooney was ruled out, and Ray-Ray McCloud III was a healthy scratch.
- Cornerback Keith Taylor and wide receiver Deven Thompkins were elevated from the practice squad.
- Despite having the No. 1 defense, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich still believes there's room for improvement.
- Only two out of 14 NFL experts predicted the Falcons would win. Talk about an upset! This is where it gets controversial... Were the experts underestimating the Falcons, or did Atlanta simply have an exceptional night?
- Safety Xavier Watts was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. His impressive start comes as no surprise to his Notre Dame family.
- For a comprehensive recap of the lead-up to the game, click here: https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-news-now-top-headlines-for-monday-night-football
Looking Ahead:
The Falcons face a quick turnaround, heading to Levi's Stadium on Sunday to take on the San Francisco 49ers at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. Can they carry this momentum into another tough matchup?
Now it's your turn. What was your biggest takeaway from the Falcons' victory over the Bills? Do you think their defense is truly the best in the league, or was this a one-time performance? And most importantly, can they beat the 49ers on the road? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
[Images of the game with captions: © 2025 Atlanta Falcons]
