A victory for the Atlanta Falcons in a high-stakes divisional clash against the New Orleans Saints will help strengthen the former’s position in the NFC South divisional race. That creates plenty of intrigue as five Falcons face critical questions in this Week 4 rivalry.
QB Michael Penix
Last week’s win over the Green Bay Packers was an impressive debut for Penix, but the Falcons still have 14 more starts to answer the big question facing them this year: Is Penix their long-term answer at quarterback? That may take
years to answer definitively, but Penix can steadily prove each week that he should remain the guy at present.
Right now, he has an opportunity to lead the Falcons to another impressive road win in a hostile environment. Last week’s win in Lambeau increases hopes that Penix’s road woes are behind him. He and the rest of the Falcons offense have a great opportunity to pummel the Saints because of several favorable matchups.
RB Bijan Robinson
The most favorable matchup centers on Atlanta’s best player: Bijan Robinson, raising the question of whether Bijan can continue to dominate. Fresh off a 213-yard performance against the Packers, Robinson can keep shining against the Saints defense battling critical injuries to linebackers Kaden Elliss and Pete Werner.
With Elliss’s blitzing abilities sidelined, Bijan should have more opportunities as a pass-catcher instead of being stuck in pass protection. With Werner’s injury making the Saints more vulnerable in coverage, Robinson can have another superhuman performance in primetime.
OT Jake Matthews
Given the positive outlook for the offense, the only thing that might derail Atlanta’s hopes is losing the battle in the trenches. Left tackle Jake Matthews’ battle against Chase Young will become pivotal to deciding the outcome of that battle.
Matthews is making his 200th career start on Monday night, a remarkable achievement and the epitome of durability, reliability, and stability at a cornerstone position. However, Matthews has had a few too many uncharacteristic, unsightly losses to start in 2026, prompting questions over whether his trademark consistency remains. Young has been a difficult challenge for Matthews over the past few years, pressuring the latter and the rest of the Falcons offensive line to rise once more and win the battle up front.
CB Avieon Terrell
Rookie cornerback Avieon Terrell is another who must rise to the challenge, alongside the rest of the secondary against Saints wideout Chris Olave. For Terrell, the intriguing question is whether he will get more snaps playing outside cornerback against one of the league’s most productive pass-catchers. Terrell deserves more than the 13 snaps he got against the Packers, rotating with Mike Hughes and C.J. Henderson.
While we can debate whether the Falcons’ trust in the Hughes-Henderson tandem is prudent, the veteran duo certainly brings value now, but Terrell’s youth and upside offer more for the future. Finding out whether Avieon can pick up the slack left by his injured elder sibling A.J.’s absence could pay off both on Monday night and in many games beyond.
DT Gervon Dexter
Speaking of paying off, Falcons defensive tackle Gervon Dexter just signed a very lucrative extension, leaving some to question if it’s premature. Despite Dexter’s brilliant start to the season, the raise puts more pressure on him to keep showing why he earned it.
Dexter can do so by continuing to lead a surprising, impressive Falcons pass rush. If Dexter continues to be a force along the interior and put the quarterback on his back, it makes things easier for Terrell and others on the back end of the defense.
A win in the Superdome will not only boost the Falcons’ divisional momentum but also keep building their confidence. Can you name other Falcons who excite and intrigue you in this primetime battle?
