ATLANTA — From 2021 through 2024, the Atlanta Falcons used four consecutive top-10 picks in the NFL draft to assemble a group of playmakers expected to transform their offense. Now the team and its fans have finally seen what can happen when those players click at the same time.
And, yes, that includes tight end Kyle Pitts.
The Falcons (2-2) are off this weekend, with their open date giving them the opportunity not only to rest but to relish the 435 total yards — including career-best performances by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and running back Bijan Robinson — they compiled in last weekend’s 34-27 home win over the Washington Commanders.
Atlanta second-year head coach Raheem Morris hopes the productive day was a preview of even more success to come on that side of the ball, and the Falcons are likely to need it when they return to action Oct. 13 for “Monday Night Football” at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The visitors will be the Buffalo Bills, who entered this fifth week of the regular season as one of two remaining undefeated teams in the league — the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl champions, are the other — and second in both total offense (404.0 yards per game) and scoring offense (33.3 points per game).
Morris used the phrase “comedy of errors” to describe Atlanta’s humiliating 30-0 road loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 21, which dropped the Falcons to 0-2 in NFC South Division play this season. It was a motivator for the team’s offensive leaders, including Pitts, who was the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft, and receiver Drake London, the No. 8 pick in 2022.