The Atlanta Falcons are flying high coming out of the bye.
After an up-and-down start through their first four games, the Falcons took care of business at home, knocking off the Buffalo Bills, 24-14. The game wasn’t as close as the score indicates.
Many figured the Falcons would have a tough time on Monday night, especially with the Bills looking to get back on track after a surprising loss to the New England Patriots in Week 5.
Bijan Robinson and Drake London had other ideas, however. They led the charge for an efficient Falcons offense that finished with 443 yards, displaying a fairly even split with 233 passing yards and 210 rushing.
Atlanta moves to 3-2 on the season, trying to keep pace with the NFC South-leading Buccaneers, while the Bills suddenly find themselves in a tie for first place with the Patriots at 4-2.
Injuries piled up for the visitors on Monday night, but Josh Allen’s lack of impact might be the bigger story. He struggled for the second straight week and tossed two interceptions, running up his total to four in the last three games.
The Bills enter their bye week with more questions than answers, but the Falcons will look for this dominate victory to propel them for the remainder of the season.
Here’s how the action unfolded on “Monday Night Football” in Atlanta.
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Falcons vs. Bills takeaways
- Buffalo’s defense isn’t Super Bowl caliber
Injuries are a problem for Buffalo, but every team deals with that. The Bills were bitten by penalties on defense multiple times tonight, which notably negated a Bijan Robinson fumble on the first play. They struggle to stop the run and are having a hard time defending the pass. Injuries or not, this could be the downfall of Buffalo in a wide-open AFC.
- The Bills lack a true WR1
Again, injuries are a thing here, but this was an issue before the season started. The Bills offense, rightfully, revolves around Allen, but Khalil Shakir and James Cook are not enough. They lack that dominant WR1 and that was evident when they needed someone to make a play.
- Falcons will go as far as Bijan Robinson takes them
Robinson finished with 238 scrimmage yards and is a handful to deal with defensively. His impact is evident as a runner and receiver, bailing out Atlanta whenever they need it. He’s one of the best offensive players in the sport and the national audience got a chance to see what Robinson is capable of.
Falcons secure win after Josh Allen pass tipped, intercepted
While the Bills threatened to score a touchdown on their final possession, a Josh Allen pass was tipped and picked off by Falcons linebacker DeAngelo Malone. Falcons upend the Bills on "MNF."
Falcons-Bills score: Atlanta seals it with a dominate drive
After some punts from both teams, the Falcons essentially lock this one up with a dominate 14-play, 68-yard drive that took five minutes off the clock. Romo knocks through the field goal without incident this time and Buffalo is down 10 with 1:43 to go and no timeouts. Falcons 24, Bills 14
Parker Romo kick blocked
Aided by penalty, the Falcons worked it into field goal range and settled for a 37-yard field goal. Buffalo’s Greg Rousseau had other ideas, however, blocking Romo’s kick. The Bills take over, still down seven.
End of third quarter: Falcons trying to hang on
The third quarter was all Buffalo, but they still trail by seven entering the final 15. Atlanta opens the fourth with the ball at the Buffalo 45, looking for some breathing room on the scoreboard.
Bills turnover on downs
After having the drive extended by penalty, the Falcons get some momentum back in their favor with a key fourth down stop. Allen flipped one short of Ty Johnson, giving Atlanta the ball back at their own 46 with under a minute to go in the third quarter.
Bills defense forces Falcons punt
That was not the answer that Penix was looking for. Buffalo’s pass rush got to the quarterback, derailing the Falcons drive and sending it right back to Allen. The Bills take over at their own 20, looking to drive for the tying score.
Falcons-Bills score: Ray Davis TD gets Buffalo back in it
The second half starts in familiar fashion for the Bills offense. Davis gets on the board with a touchdown and gets his team to within seven after a dominate drive from Buffalo. It feels like the Bills found something on that series, making the next one even more important for Penix and Atlanta. Momentum might be shifting. Falcons 21, Bills 14
Drake London TD taken off the board after review
With just six seconds remaining in the half, Atlanta was looking to get into field goal range as Penix found London. The receiver was wide open and, rather than settle for the field goal attempt, tried to score a touchdown. It appeared he did at first, but replay revealed the London’s foot was out of bounds just short of the goal line.
Atlanta instead walks away with no points before the half, keeping their lead at 14. Buffalo catches a huge break, but they have plenty of work to do in the final 30 minutes.
Josh Allen intercepted by Dee Alford
Buffalo forced a stop and got the ball back, only for Allen to give it to the Falcons one play later. It goes down as Allen’s third interception of the season as the Bills offense continues to struggle.
Falcons turnover on downs
Hoping to build on their lead, the Falcons opted to go for it on fourth down at the Buffalo 33. The Bills get the stop coming out of the 2-minute warning, giving Allen and co. the chance to cut into the deficit.
Falcons-Bills score: Bijan Robinson 81-yard TD
Falcons are known for their flying ability. The football version is too, apparently. Robinson turns on the jets and flies 81 yards to the end zone to give Atlanta a two-score lead. Falcons 21, Bills 7
Connor McGovern injury update
The Bills might need a bigger tent as their starting center exited with an injury. Josh Allen was sacked immediately on the next play as Buffalo’s depth gets tested.
Joshua Palmer injury update
Palmer was dragged down by Dee Alford after a 15-yard catch early in the second quarter. His leg was twisted on the tackle and the receiver promptly entered the injury tent. He did walk off the field under his own power.
End of first quarter: Falcons up 7
A slow-paced opening quarter comes to a close with the Falcons up a touchdown. Both sides landed early punches on offense, but the end zone was calling Drake London, who held off Buffalo defenders to give his team the lead again.
Kyle Pitts stats
Pitts has been fairly invisible in the early going tonight, outside of drawing a penalty and committing another. However, Pitts has made much more of an impact in his fifth season.
The tight end already has 20 catches, 205 yards and a touchdown through four games. He’s on pace to set career highs across the board.
Falcons-Bills score: Drake London extends for TD
The Falcons took the lead right back in the closing minute of the first quarter, with Michael Penix finding Drake London with a laser; London reached the ball past the goal line for six. An extra point gives the Falcons a 7-point lead.
Michael Penix sacked on third down, Bills receive punt
The Falcons were unable to answer the Dawson Knox score, ending with the Bills pass rush swarming the passer for a sack. Bradley Pinion's punt goes for 50 yards.
Falcons-Bills score: Dawson Knox answers with opening drive TD
It didn’t take long for Buffalo to even the score. Josh Allen found Knox for the 19-yard touchdown, finishing off a 73-yard drive to get things going for the Buffalo offense. Joshua Palmer had the big play on this series for the Bills, bringing in a 45-yard reception on their first play from scrimmage. Falcons 7, Bills 7
Josh Allen finds Josh Palmer deep for Bills' first offensive snap
It didn't take long for Josh Allen to launch, finding deep threat Josh Palmer deep down the middle of the field for 45 yards.
Falcons-Bills score: Tyler Allgeier opens the scoring with TD run
Atlanta avoided disaster on the first play of the game as a Bills’ offside penalty negated a Bijan Robinson fumble. The Falcons took that gift and waltzed down the field for an opening drive score without much resistance from the visitors.
Falcons 7, Bills 0
Bills, Falcons kick off in Atlanta
The first of two "Monday Night Football" games gets underway as Atlanta returner Jamal Agnew takes the kickoff to the Falcons' 31-yard line.
What channel is Falcons vs. Bills Monday Night Football?
- TV channel: ESPN
The Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills will air on ESPN as part of the double-header on "Monday Night Football" this week.
Who are the announcers for Falcons vs Bills?
- Play-by-play: Chris Fowler
- Color analysts: Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick
- Sideline reporters: Katie George and Peter Schrager
What time is the Falcons vs. Bills game?
- Kickoff time: 7:15 p.m. ET
The Falcons and Bills are scheduled to kick off at 7:15 p.m. ET, an hour earlier than the typical "MNF" start time. The Bills travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the matchup.
Falcons vs. Bills predictions
The Falcons had two weeks to think on their 34-point performance vs. the Commanders, a week after they were shut out at the hands of the Panthers. It's difficult to tell whether or not that was the start of something new or just a one-off performance against a middling defense. The Bills need to figure out what their identity is and fast – and they'll take a step in that direction vs. a Falcons team that has traded wins and losses this season.
Prediction: Bills 24, Falcons 20
Where to stream the Bills game today
- Live stream: Fubo | ESPN Select | ESPN Unlimited
Those looking to live stream the matchup have a few options. ESPN's streaming services, Unlimited and Select, will broadcast the game.
Cord-cutters searching for another option can turn to Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and NFL Network, meaning you'll be able to catch NFL action all season long.
Watch "Monday Night Football" all season with Fubo (free trial)
Bills tight end depth chart
With Dalton Kincaid out, here's how the Bills depth chart lines up:
- Dawson Knox
- Jackson Hawes
Falcons inactives today
Bills inactives vs. Falcons
Falcons vs. Bills live odds, moneyline, O/U
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Falcons vs. Bills score, highlights: Bijan Robinson dominates in MNF win over Buffalo
Reporting by Joe Rivera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect