Four games into the season, the Atlanta Falcons look more dangerous than they have since the 2017 season, which was the last time they finished with a record over .500. At 2-2, they're tied with the Carolina Panthers at the top of the NFC South - but technically in second place due to Carolina's Week 2 win in Atlanta.
That's still a hell of a lot better than we expected them to be after the dismal showing we saw in the first two games of the season. Other analysts have taken notice, as well.
According to Zachary Pereles at CBS Sports, the Falcons deserve a B+ grade for their first four games.
"Bijan Robinson looks like the best running back we've seen in a long, long time, and Penix looked more comfortable in his second start than his first. For
as much love as the offense deserves, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich deserves just as much, working with a unit dealing with injuries across the board. The Falcons are second in defensive success rate and first in both yards per rush allowed and pressure rate. Unfortunately, we do have to factor in the two games started by Cooper Rush, but this team's arrow is very much pointing up as long as Penix can stay healthy."
That 0-2 start may yet come back to haunt the Falcons if the divisional race comes down to the wire. For now, this looks like the best - and most complete team in the NFC South, even if they got thrashed by Carolina just a few weeks ago. The Panthers have been decimated by injuries since then and their underperforming defense gives them an imbalanced look.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have the best run game in the league, an explosive passing game with Penix healthy and a defense that's performing light years ahead of any reasonable expectations going into the season.
Much of the credit must go to head coach Kevin Stefanski for putting together an excellent staff, where offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, offensive line coach Bill Callahan and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich are all doing magnificent work in their respective roles.
A win over a likely Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore Ravens team on Sunday night would give Atlanta a ton of momentum going into the toughest stretch of their season, where they'll four contenders in five games going into their bye week.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: CBS Sports grades Falcons' first four games of 2026 season
