Primetime Roundtable: The lights are shining bright in Atlanta

After looking hopeless in the first two weeks of the season, the Falcons have suddenly become one of the league's more prolific scoring teams. Getting Michael Penix Jr. back on the field was necessary for the offense to start functioning at a professional level. Since his return, the team has produced two incredibly impressive road wins, led by a thunderous running game and an ultra-aggressive defense that doesn't commit self-inflicted errors.

Kevin Stefanski, Tommy Rees, and Jeff Ulbrich have worked wonders around certain personnel limitations and injury crises outside the quarterback position. These performances have injected optimism into a fan base that has been looking for any sign of sustainable success. Kevin Knight and Aaron Freeman join me to discuss what has gone into their recent resurgence.

What has been most impressive about what Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees have done to make the Falcons prolific?

Allen Strk: The personnel usage to create more high-percentage looks through the air and varied designs in the running game stands out schematically. It gives Michael Penix Jr. the space to operate in the most comfortable infrastructure imaginable after recovering from his third ACL knee surgery. He is getting the ball out faster and with more conviction into clear passing windows. That improvement led to exceptional efficiency on play-action while still having that explosive element, as shown on his 31-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson.

A heavy dose of 12, 22, and 23 personnel has been effective for the ground game, but Stefanski and Rees are utilizing role players effectively to punish opposing fronts. Kyle Pitts, Chris Blair, and Austin Hooper have been used as fullbacks at various points.

Nick Muse is playing more often to provide more push in heavier sets. Olamide Zaccheaus and Zachariah Branch are being motioned to the side where the run is directed to create space at the second level. These added nuances to the game plan have helped the Falcons produce a jaw-dropping 60.3% run success rate over the last two weeks.

Aaron Freeman: Weaponizing the play-action passing has been the most positive development. The diversity in the run game has also been a welcome addition. Rees and Stefanski are building an offense that marries the run and passing games. It's been extremely effective in Penix Jr.'s first two starts. It'll be fun to watch it grow and develop the rest of the way.

Kevin Knight: The simplest answer is that coaching from top to bottom has improved. The only notable offensive coaches the Falcons had under Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson were Dwayne Ledford and Kevin Koger. Atlanta kept Koger, then upgraded from Ledford to the legendary Bill Callahan.

They also drastically improved their QB coaching with Alex Van Pelt. Tommy Rees also appears to be a significant upgrade over Zac Robinson, who might be one of the worst play-callers in the league based on his early results in Tampa Bay.

In terms of what those coaches have done specifically, I think it's pretty simple: Stefanski and Rees looked at this roster and installed a scheme based on the talent they had available. Such a simple thing, but so very important. It was obvious that Atlanta should've been a run-heavy, play-action focused offense with an explosive passing game for years. In just a month, this scheme looks better than whatever abomination Robinson installed previously.

How does Jeff Ulbrich move forward with Harold Perkins Jr. after his breakout performance?

Allen Strk: Perkins Jr. has seen his playing time rapidly rise over the last two games. Some of it can be attributed to the game script. He played 43 and 52 snaps against Green Bay and New Orleans, compared to only 24 and 26 against Pittsburgh and Carolina. Based on his showing, it could become the norm for the former LSU standout. Perkins Jr. was outstanding last Monday night, showcasing his range, instincts, physicality, and dependability as a tackler.

From cleanly breaking up an out route on Juwan Johnson to running in stride with Alvin Kamara to prevent a big play off a wheel route, the sixth-round pick was up for whatever was thrown at him. Kendal Daniels has played well and provides that downhill ferocity to stop the run.

What Perkins Jr. brings to the table with his skill set makes it hard to leave him off the field, mainly in passing situations. It seems inevitable that Ulbrich will continue to put as much on Perkins Jr.'s plate as possible, given his dynamic capabilities.

Aaron Freeman: With no changes. Perkins is featured exclusively in the team's nickel subpackage, while Daniels gets all the work in the base and big nickel sets. That delineation suits their skill sets. Perkins' superior speed makes him more impactful in space or rushing the quarterback on obvious passing downs. In contrast, Daniels' superior size and instincts make him best suited as a run defender.

The Falcons can keep both players in their current roles without needing to change anything. The only real adjustment depends on matchups. If the Falcons face a bigger, more physical tight end, Daniels is probably the better option. But if it's an athletic player like Johnson, we just saw how effective Perkins can be in those battles.

Kevin Knight: Ulbrich seems pretty committed to a rotation at linebacker, but I think Perkins Jr. will continue to dominate the snap share. He was simply too good to ignore against the Saints, putting out some incredible coverage reps alongside a great all-around performance. After starting the season behind Daniels (67.2%) with a 34.3% snap share, the two have swapped places in the lineup. Over the past two games, Perkins has seen his snap share jump to 65.2% and 70.3%, with Daniels moving into the third linebacker spot.

My long-term view is that the Falcons view both as starting-quality linebackers. The plan could be for Perkins Jr. and Daniels to take over the starting jobs in 2027. To that end, the team would be wise to make sure both are getting live game reps this season.

It's possible that Daniels moves to backup and special teams status if Perkins keeps playing like this, but for now, I'd expect the rotation to continue. I also don't think the team is pulling Divine Deablo off the field anytime soon unless his injuries continue to drag him down. He's a major leader, and his communication is likely critical to how the defense functions.

Have any offensive linemen elevated their play in particular in the back-to-back dominant wins?

Allen Strk: After being a step behind far too often at the start of the season, Jawaan Taylor has picked it up during this road stretch. He plays with a nasty streak the offensive line lacked last year after Kaleb McGary's season-ending injury (and eventual retirement). There were moments in both dominant wins that he mauled whoever was in front of him, whether it was an edge defender or a linebacker at the second level.

Taylor will need to step up against better competition as a pass protector, but his run-blocking gives the Falcons an enormous lift on the right side, with Chris Lindstrom continuing to perform at an All-Pro level.

Aaron Freeman: The Falcons have shown greater down-to-down consistency over the last two weeks by leaning more on the strengths of their various blockers. Lindstrom's athleticism always shines in the team's zone-blocking scheme, but he's also making waves as a puller now that the Falcons are incorporating more gap runs into the mix. But you can't help but acknowledge that the Packers and Saints are far less formidable on the interior of their defensive lines than the Steelers and Panthers are.

That has to be factored into the line's recent success, but they are trending in the right direction. The expectation is that as they get more comfortable with the tweaked run scheme, they should keep being effective as a unit.

Kevin Knight: The biggest pleasant surprise is Taylor, who came in and solidified what had been a very sketchy right tackle spot over the past year. Solidified is actually too conservative a word; he's been legitimately good through four games thus far.

His biggest issues prior to this season were his propensity for false starts and a lack of run-blocking chops. Through four games, Taylor has one false start and has been a boost to Atlanta's #2 rushing attack. If he keeps this up, I think the Falcons will consider giving him an extension.

Ryan Neuzil has also really elevated his game. The scheme change helped him thrive more as a run blocker, while his pass protection has been very solid. At one point, PFN had Neuzil as their top-rated center. He's still ranked very highly. That's quite a jump from last year's largely average campaign. Neuzil is another extension candidate this season.

I should also do a quick shoutout for swing tackle Michael Jerrell, who largely looked like a punching bag in the preseason and at one time looked like a potential cut candidate. Instead, Jerrell solidified the job ahead of the season. When called upon for much of the game against the Saints, he played…solid football.

That's exactly what you need out of your swing tackle. His pass protection is below average, but he might actually be an upgrade as a run blocker over Jake Matthews. I expect Matthews to play in Week 5, but if not, the thought of Jerrell playing is certainly not giving me sleepless nights anymore.

Which defensive player has surprised you the most between C.J. Henderson, Cameron Thomas, and Maason Smith?

Allen Strk: C.J. Henderson's emergence late last season felt more like a feel-good story than the transformation into becoming a capable starter. Facing below-average teams like Arizona and New Orleans gave him a chance to regain his confidence after playing for four teams from 2020 to 2025. Those late-season performances are proving to be a launchpad into becoming a cornerback the coaching staff can fully count on.

Henderson has been tremendous stepping in for A.J. Terrell, starting from opening day when he forced a fourth-down stop being matched up against DK Metcalf. The former top ten pick has already forced and recovered a fumble while producing six pass breakups. That includes three against the Packers, where Jordan Love repeatedly tested him.

Henderson's ability to play tight man coverage and use his length has given the secondary an enormous lift with Terrell on injured reserve. It's been astonishing to see him rise to the occasion for an undermanned defense after nearly falling out of the league.

Aaron Freeman: It's got to be Thomas for me. While Henderson and Smith have both exceeded expectations, both players have flashed before as former high-end draft prospects entering the NFL, so their recent success is less about discovering new capabilities and more about improved consistency.

However, Thomas was expected to be a back-end rotational player brought in to beef up the team's run defense. Instead, he has been a force off the edge as a pass-rusher, outshining even Za'Darius Smith in the last two games. His power and relentless motor have been a pleasant surprise. On a "prove-it" contract, he's well on his way to earning a significant pay raise.

Kevin Knight: Wow, you're making me pick just one? In that case, it has to be Thomas. This man was a rotational run defender throughout his entire rookie contract with the Browns, never playing more than 35% of the snaps and starting just three games. In Atlanta, he was forced onto the field after Jalon Walker's season-ending injury and James Pearce Jr.'s suspension.

I was very skeptical that he'd be anything more than a solid early-down player, but he is well beyond that. Thomas has been one of the NFL's most productive pass rushers (and remains a good run defender) through four games, defying all expectations. He looks leaner, faster, and downright unblockable at times. He signed for $3.1M, making him one of the biggest off-season bargains if this keeps up.

Speaking of which, if he's still playing this way at the halfway point, give Thomas an extension. He's just 26 and could be this team's long-term third EDGE, giving them a dynamic trio behind their two young stars.