ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons will be looking to build on their dramatic turnaround since Michael Penix Jr. took over behind center when they host the Baltimore Ravens at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” matchup.
After scoring a combined 16 points in back-to-back losses, the Falcons have scored a combined 80 points while posting consecutive wins with Penix back as the starter.
Penix has completed 73.3% of his passes in his return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that ended his 2025 season, when he started nine games after starting the final three as a rookie in the 2024 season. Penix’s accuracy has been impressive, and he has thrown only one interception while passing for two touchdowns.
The efficient play from Penix has seemed to boost the production of versatile running back Bijan Robinson who remains the star of the offense as one of the NFL’s leading rushers. Robinson ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns in Monday night’s 45-24 road win against the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons’ top rival in the NFC South Division. Brian Robinson Jr. added three touchdown runs to Atlanta’s ground attack.
“We’re doing whatever it takes to win football games,” Penix said. “And I feel like each and every week we come in with a great run plan.”
Penix has played with confidence after being held out in the preseason while completing his comeback.
“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised,” Penix said. “I put the work in, and I’m going to continue to put the work in. I feel like I have a long way to go. I feel like I could be so much better.”
Penix is trying to help the Falcons, who have started 2-2 for the fifth straight year, take an even bigger step forward. So is Kevin Stefanski, the first-year head coach who is trying to change the fortunes of a franchise that hasn’t finished with a winning record or reached the playoffs since the 2017 season.
“Mike played well. He took care of the football, made some really good throws,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said after Monday’s. “… There’s a bunch of great stuff out there, but I really like Mike’s demeanor on game day. I like how he’s he’s operating.”
The Ravens (3-1) are facing what they hope is only a temporary change at quarterback after two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, who injured his left ankle in last Sunday’s 24-18 home win over the Tennessee Titans, was ruled out Friday. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley is expected to start against Atlanta.
Tight end Mark Andrews said Huntley “is a commander” whenever he’s asked to lead the offense.
“He goes in the huddle, and everybody is able to really just follow him, and I think that’s a really great quality,” Andrews said. “He’s a gamer. He’s a guy that goes in there and is going to be electric, and I cannot say enough about Snoop. He’s been in these types of situations so often, and he’s always come through.”
The Ravens also ruled out edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who will miss his second straight game because of a finger injury. Mike Green will start in his place again.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-1) at ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2)
When: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. Eastern
TV: NBC
Odds: Falcons by 3 1/2
Last week: Falcons won at New Orleans Saints 45-24; Ravens beat the Tennessee Titans 24-18
Last meeting: Ravens beat the Falcons 17-9 on Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore
Series record: Ravens lead 5-2
Matchup to watch: Baltimore running back Derrick Henry versus Atlanta’s run defense. The Falcons lead the NFL in rushing defense, allowing only 48.3 yards per game on the ground. Henry ranks fourth in the league with 374 rushing yards and already has run for seven touchdowns this season, which is tied with Josh Allen for the NFL lead. The Ravens rank fourth in rushing with 153.5 yards per game. Henry ran for 73 yards and a touchdown in the win over Tennessee, his former team. The 11th-year pro opened the season by running for 144 yards and three scores in a 41-23 road win against the Indianapolis Colts. Henry’s production will be especially important with Jackson ruled out.
Stats and stuff: The Ravens, who are 2-0 on the road, are looking for their first 4-1 start overall to a season since 2021. …The Ravens’ 5-2 series record against the Falcons includes a 2-2 mark in Atlanta. …Baltimore’s 20-7 road record since 2023 is the best in the league. … The Ravens also rank first in turnover differential at plus-21 and have a plus-214 points differential in road games since 2023. … Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith is the only player in the league to have at least 30 tackles, one interception, one sack and one forced fumble this season. … Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell has played in 282 games, which is tied with Jim Marshall for the most by a defensive lineman in league history. Campbell can earn sole possession of the record by playing against Atlanta. … The Falcons are playing their third straight prime-time game, with Sunday night’s matchup at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium following a pair of road wins: 35-14 against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Sept. 24, and Monday night against the Saints. … Since 2024, the Falcons are 3-1 in home prime-time games. … Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews has started 199 consecutive games, a franchise record and the longest active streak in the NFL. He left Monday night’s game with a groin injury but returned to practice Thursday. … Atlanta running backs Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. have each rushed for four touchdowns. Bijan, the starter, ranks second in the league with 614 scrimmage yards, trailing only Kenneth Walker III (621) of the Kansas City Chiefs. He also ranks second with 494 rushing yards, behind Walker’s 537. …In games in which he has attempted at least 16 passes, third-year pro Penix has completed at least 70% four times, including each of the past two weeks. … Atlanta’s defense leads the NFL with 79 quarterback pressures and ranks second with 35 quarterback hits, but the Falcons have only seven sacks. … The Falcons are tied for 27th in the league with a minus-5 turnover ratio. Cooper Rush, who opened the season as the starting quarterback, threw four interceptions in the first two games.