Commanders vs Falcons Match Player Stats: Mariota, Penix & More

You don’t often see a backup quarterback and a gadget play steal the spotlight, but that’s exactly what happened Sunday in Atlanta. The Falcons leaned on Marcus Mariota’s unexpected dual-threat performance and a controversial trick play to edge the short-handed Washington Commanders 34-27 in a Week 4 matchup that had playoff implications written all over it.

Final Score: Atlanta Falcons 34, Washington Commanders 27 · Date: September 28, 2025 · Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta · Commanders Record: 3-1 · Falcons Record: 2-2

Who won between the Commanders and the Falcons today?

The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Washington Commanders 34-27 on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Atlanta Falcons official site. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Atlanta and improved their record to 2-2, while the Commanders fell to 3-1. The outcome was heavily influenced by Washington’s decision to start backup Marcus Mariota after starter Jayden Daniels was ruled out with a knee injury sustained in Week 3 Washington Commanders injury report.

The Falcons’ offense, led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., produced 434 total yards and four touchdowns. Running back Bijan Robinson accounted for two scores — one on the ground and one through the air — and became the second-fastest player in franchise history to reach 25 scrimmage touchdowns, doing so in 38 games behind only Gerald Riggs (36 games) Atlanta Falcons postgame breakdown.

What was the final score of the Commanders vs Falcons game?

The final score was Atlanta Falcons 34, Washington Commanders 27. The game featured lead changes in each quarter and was decided in the final minutes when Atlanta’s defense forced a stop on a fourth-down attempt by the Commanders at midfield Atlanta Falcons game recap. The Falcons outscored Washington 14-10 in the fourth quarter, powered by a 43-yard deep ball from Penix to Drake London — the longest completion of Penix’s career by air yards Atlanta Falcons postgame breakdown.

Scoring summary: Atlanta led 7-3 after the first, 17-14 at halftime, and 20-14 entering the fourth. A trick-play touchdown by the Falcons early in the fourth stretched the lead, and Washington’s late rally fell short when Mariota’s final pass was deflected at the line. The game clock expired with the ball at the Falcons’ 36-yard line NFL.com Week 4 recap.

How did Marcus Mariota perform in Week 4?

Marcus Mariota started his first game of the season in place of the injured Jayden Daniels and completed 16 of 27 passes for 156 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception Washington Commanders stats & snaps. He also rushed for 20 yards on six carries, showing the mobility that defined his earlier career. Mariota connected with Deebo Samuel for a 12-yard touchdown in the second quarter and found Luke McCaffrey for a 7-yard score in the fourth Atlanta Falcons official stats.

However, Mariota also threw a critical interception in the third quarter to Falcons safety Xavier Watts, which set up Atlanta’s go-ahead touchdown Atlanta Falcons postgame breakdown. Washington’s offense managed just 3.8 yards per play in the second half, a drop-off that the Commanders’ coaching staff will likely attribute to the absence of deep threat Terry McLaurin, who was among five players listed on the Week 4 injury report Washington Commanders injury report.

How did Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons offense deliver?

Michael Penix Jr. had arguably his best game as a pro, completing 20 of 26 passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception Atlanta Falcons official stats. His passer rating of 119.7 was a season high. Penix spread the ball among seven different receivers, with Drake London (8 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD) and Bijan Robinson (4 catches, 106 yards) both surpassing 100 receiving yards Atlanta Falcons postgame breakdown.

The ground game also contributed: Bijan Robinson rushed 17 times for 75 yards and one touchdown, while Tyler Allgeier added 16 carries for 51 yards and a score Atlanta Falcons official stats. The Falcons rolled up 181 rushing yards as a team, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Kyle Pitts chipped in with 5 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, giving Atlanta three receiving touchdowns on the day Atlanta Falcons postgame breakdown.

One sequence, the 43-yard connection from Penix to London on a deep post, doubled as the longest completion of Penix’s career by air yards and set up the Falcons’ final touchdown that sealed the win Atlanta Falcons postgame breakdown.

The implication: Atlanta’s balanced attack — 313 passing yards and 181 rushing yards — exposed Washington’s inability to defend both dimensions, a pattern that could serve the Falcons well in upcoming NFC South matchups.

Comparison table: Key player stats

Five positions, one pattern: Atlanta’s offensive efficiency outstripped Washington’s despite similar possession counts.

The implication: Washington’s inability to sustain drives on third down and Mariota’s interception tilted field position in Atlanta’s favor. The Falcons turned both takeaways into 10 points.

Timeline of key moments

• First quarter, 8:12: Mariota throws 12-yard TD to Deebo Samuel. Commanders lead 7-3 Atlanta Falcons play-by-play.
• Second quarter, 1:45: Penix hits Kyle Pitts for a 5-yard TD. Falcons take 17-14 lead Atlanta Falcons play-by-play.
• Third quarter, 6:23: Xavier Watts intercepts Mariota. Falcons capitalize with Bijan Robinson 2-yard run to make it 24-14 Atlanta Falcons postgame.
• Fourth quarter, 11:40: Penix to London 43-yard completion sets up Robinson 1-yard run. Falcons 34-20 Atlanta Falcons postgame.
• Fourth quarter, 2:05: Mariota 7-yard TD to Luke McCaffrey. Score 34-27. Onside kick attempt fails Atlanta Falcons stats.

What we know and what remains unclear after Week 4

“He’s a special talent. To see him hit that milestone in his second season tells you everything about his work ethic.”

— Atlanta Falcons official site, on Bijan Robinson’s 25th scrimmage touchdown Atlanta Falcons postgame breakdown

“We had our chances. A couple of plays go the other way and it’s a different game.”

— Washington Commanders official site, on missed opportunities Washington Commanders stats & snaps

What this game means for both teams

The Falcons’ win keeps them alive in the NFC South at 2-2, while the Commanders drop to 3-1 with mounting injury concerns. Washington’s upcoming schedule includes two divisional road games; if Jayden Daniels misses extended time, Marcus Mariota will need to limit turnovers and lean on the run game. For the Falcons, the offensive explosion under Penix suggests the team may have found a rhythm that could sustain a playoff push. For Washington’s front office, the choice is clear: invest in depth at quarterback, or risk a promising season derailed by a single kneecap.

Frequently asked questions

What this means: For the Commanders, every game without Daniels shrinks their playoff margin. For the Falcons, Penix’s breakout signals a potential turning point in their NFC South chase.