ATLANTA — Desmond Ridder and the Atlanta Falcons will try to enjoy success through the air for the second straight week when they face a Washington Commanders team looking to end a three-game losing streak.
The Commanders can be expected to try to establish a running game after putting too much pressure on quarterback Sam Howell in last week's loss to the Chicago Bears. The Falcons will counter with rookie running back Bijan Robinson, who had a highlight-worthy 6-yard touchdown catch in last week's win over Houston.
The Commanders have won the past two games in the series.
WASHINGTON (2-3) at ATLANTA (3-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
SERIES RECORD: Commanders lead 17-10-1.
LAST MEETING: Commanders beat Falcons 19-13 on Nov. 22, 2022, at Washington.
LAST WEEK: Bears beat Commanders 40-20; Falcons beat Texans 21-19.
COMMANDERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (18), RUSH (24), PASS (12), SCORING (18)
COMMANDERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (25), RUSH (24), PASS (21), SCORING (31)
FALCONS OFFENSE: OVERALL (20), RUSH (13), PASS (23), SCORING (T27).
FALCONS DEFENSE: OVERALL (7), RUSH (15), PASS (7), SCORING (10).
TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Commanders minus-5; Falcons -3.
COMMANDERS PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Brian Robinson Jr. After Washington dropped back to pass 55 consecutive times against the Bears from midway through the second quarter through the end of the embarrassing loss, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy almost certainly has to try to get some balance back. That starts with Robinson, who is averaging more than 4 yards per carry and has three rushing touchdowns through five games.
FALCONS PLAYER TO WATCH: Rookie RB Bijan Robinson ran for only 46 yards last week against Houston but still made an impact with a 6-yard scoring catch, pulling the ball in with his left hand against his hip before scoring. Robinson's 3.3 yards per carry matched his season low in a week that the Falcons enjoyed more success through the air, but the rookie could have more success on the ground against Washington's 24th-ranked run defense. Robinson, Baltimore WR Zay Flowers and Rams WR Puka Nacua are the only rookies with at least 50 yards from scrimmage in five games this season. Robinson is tied for second among running backs with 21 catches.
KEY MATCHUP: Falcons QB Desmond Ridder vs. Commanders pass defense. Was Atlanta's sudden success through the air against Houston last week an aberration? Ridder threw for a career-high 329 yards and set another high mark with 28 completions while throwing for a touchdown and no interceptions in the win. Ridder also ran for a score, one week after he committed three turnovers in a loss to Jacksonville. Perhaps the most telling statistic was the Falcons did not allow a sack in the game, so the ability to again provide time for Ridder will be crucial.
KEY INJURIES: The Commanders will be without starting safety Darrick Forrest and All-Pro special teams player Jeremy Reaves after putting them on injured reserve. ... Falcons RT Kaleb McGary left last week's game with a left knee injury and had limited participation in Wednesday's practice. TE Jonnu Smith (ankle) and OLB Bud Dupree (Wednesday) also were limited.
SERIES NOTES: The teams are playing for a third consecutive season. Washington has won the past two meetings.
STATS AND STUFF: Commanders QB Sam Howell threw for a career-high 37 completions and 388 yards and had an interception in the loss to Chicago. ... RB Antonio Gibson had a season-best 64 yards receiving against the Bears. ... WR Terry McLaurin had six catches for 123 yards and two TDs in his first game at Atlanta. ... DE Montez Sweat is tied for 10th in the NFL with 4 1/2 sacks. ... S Kam Curl has made five-plus tackles in 14 consecutive games. ... The Falcons are tied for last in the league with five sacks. ... WR Drake London set a season high with 78 receiving yards and TE Kyle Pitts set a season high with seven catches and 87 yards last week. ... TE Jonnu Smith has at least five catches in three consecutive games. ... DL Calais Campbell needs one sack to become the fifth active player with at least 100 for his career. Campbell has two sacks, three pass deflections and a forced fumble in his past four games against Washington.
FANTASY TIP: Commanders TE Logan Thomas could be an excellent lineup choice for fantasy managers. Thomas led Washington with nine catches for 77 yards last week. Even though Atlanta ranks a solid seventh in pass defense, the Falcons have allowed at least eight catches to opposing tight ends in three straight games. Overall, tight ends have 35 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns against Atlanta in five games.
