Falcons record in prime time: How Atlanta turns into ‘Super Bowl contender’ — on national TV only

Falcons record in prime time: How Atlanta turns into ‘Super Bowl contender’ — on national TV only originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Falcons haven’t made the playoffs since 2017, one of the longest droughts in the NFL. But that isn’t to say they haven’t at least been competitive since then.

Whether Matt Ryan, Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback, Atlanta has won seven or more games on seven occasions since its last playoff appearance, remarkably failing to reach the postseason in any of those years. Similar to their start in 2026, the Falcons have shown an ability to keep up with the NFL’s best — especially when the lights are brightest.

NFL fans have recently picked up on a fascinating trend surrounding the Falcons, as they seem to perform better when in a prime-time slot.

Here’s a look at the Falcons’ recent history of success in prime-time games.

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Falcons record in prime time 

• 9-4 since 2024 season began

In the last three NFL seasons, the Falcons have played 13 prime-time games, 12 without counting a London matchup. They’ve won nine of those 13 games.

In 2024, with Kirk Cousins at quarterback, Atlanta won a Monday night game over the Eagles, an overtime Thursday night game against the Buccaneers and a Monday night game over the Raiders.

The success has translated with Penix taking snaps. In 2025, he beat the Vikings on Sunday night and the Bills on Monday night, while Cousins beat the Buccaneers on a Thursday night and the Rams on a Monday night.

Already this season, Penix has returned from injury to lead the Falcons to a pair of prime-time wins.

Here’s a look at Atlanta’s prime-time results since the start of the 2024 season:

SeasonDatePrime-Time SlotFinal ScoreFalcons’ QB2024Monday, Sept. 16Monday Night FootballFalcons 22, Eagles 21Kirk Cousins2024Sunday, Sept. 22Sunday Night FootballChiefs 22, Falcons 17Kirk Cousins2024Thursday, Oct. 3Thursday Night FootballFalcons 36, Buccaneers 30 (OT)Kirk Cousins2024Monday, Dec. 16Monday Night FootballFalcons 15, Raiders 9Kirk Cousins2024Sunday, Dec. 29Sunday Night FootballCommanders 30, Falcons 24Michael Penix Jr.2025Sunday, Sept. 14Sunday Night FootballFalcons 22, Vikings 6Michael Penix Jr.2025Monday, Oct. 13Monday Night FootballFalcons 24, Bills 14Michael Penix Jr.2025Sunday, Oct. 19Sunday Night Football49ers 20, Falcons 10Michael Penix Jr.2025Sunday, Nov. 9London GameColts 31, Falcons 25Michael Penix Jr.2025Thursday, Dec. 11Thursday Night FootballFalcons 29, Buccaneers 28Kirk Cousins2025Monday, Dec. 29Monday Night FootballFalcons 27, Rams 24Kirk Cousins2026Thursday, Sept. 24Thursday Night FootballFalcons 35, Falcons 14Michael Penix Jr.2026Monday, Oct. 5Monday Night FootballFalcons 45, Saints 24Michael Penix Jr.

NFL POWER RANKINGS: Chiefs, 49ers rise up; Eagles, Bills sink

Falcons record in non-prime-time games

• 9-16 since 2024 season began

In non-prime-time games, the Falcons have gone just 9-16 since the start of the 2024 season. 

It’s almost a complete reversal from how they performed in the brighter-light matchups, when they’ve performed at a rate to be an NFC playoff contender.

Bijan Robinson stats in prime time

Perhaps no player on the Falcons has continually stepped up to the prime-time stage over the last few years than star running back Bijan Robinson. 

According to ESPN, Robinson is now averaging 145.5 scrimmage yards per game in prime-time matchups, which is the most of any NFL running back in history who has played in at least five of them. It also isn’t particularly close — per ESPN, Barry Sanders ranks second on that list with an average of 126.3 scrimmage yards per game in 20 contests.

Prior to his outing against the Saints in Week 4, over his previous four prime-time games, Robinson was averaging 213.8 scrimmage yards.

“For me, whether it’s primetime, whether it’s a 1 o’clock game, they’re all the same in terms of my mentality,” Robinson previously said, per ESPN. “Everybody watches you on TV, and they watch you in the stands.

“When it’s time to [play], no matter what time it is, it’s time to go.”