Evan Silva’s Matchups: Falcons at Commanders

Editor’s Note: This Matchup was written by John Daigle, with input from Evan Silva.

Sunday Night Football

Atlanta @ Washington

Team Totals: Falcons 21.5, Commanders 25

Rain and wind threaten any ceiling here after No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. did exactly as the organization asked of him in his debut, eating zero sacks (on nine pressures) and completing 5-of-8 passes 10 yards downfield for 11.3 yards per attempt; his only interception can be attributed entirely to Kyle Pitts, who not only volleyed a would-be TD into an interception but, to make matters worse, probably reminded owner Arthur Blank in that very moment that he was drafted over Ja’Marr Chase and Penei Sewell. Although we’ve ticked the pass rate of both teams down in our projections, there’s meat on the bone here for Penix in Superflex leagues given Washington’s 20 completions (ninth) and league-high 10 touchdowns ged on throws 20 yards deep. … Atlanta controls their own destiny atop the NFC South after they swept the Bucs during the regular season, feeling a-OK if any inclement weather forces the ball into BIjan Robinson’s hands: Washington’s allowed the most yards before contact per attempt (2.43) and 4.82 yards per carry (fourth) from the ground. A run-heavy game script on Northwest Stadium’s abysmal grass could additionally boost Tyler Allgeier for more carries than perceived.