Albert Breer’s Notes: It Was a Mistake to Judge the Falcons After Week 2

Key Points:

• The Atlanta Falcons have shown significant improvement after a rocky start, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. posting a 134.2 passer rating over the last seven quarters and the running game excelling, signaling the team is gaining momentum under coach Kevin Stefanski.
• Aaron Donald’s contract with the Rams includes per-game roster bonuses based on being on the 53-man active roster, not the 46-man game-day roster, allowing him to earn bonuses even when inactive, which helps manage his health and the team’s financial risk.
• New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III has impressed with his work ethic, holding daily early morning meetings with receivers coach Todd Downing, a routine that began as a personal initiative and has now been adopted by the entire receiving corps.
• The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams have faced challenging travel schedules early in the season, including international games and short weeks, testing their resilience and mental toughness despite dissatisfaction with the demanding logistics.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars lead the NFL in game control metrics, having led opponents for nearly three hours and trailed for just over seven minutes across four games, reflecting strong game management under coach Liam Coen.
• Derrick Henry’s departure from the Tennessee Titans was a strategic decision based on his age, workload, and team direction, which has paid off for Henry with a career-high 5.9 yards per carry in Baltimore, though the Titans’ long-term benefit from retaining him remains uncertain.
• The Chicago Bears have won three games with three different starting quarterbacks, showcasing strong offensive performances and highlighting coach Ben Johnson’s effective system.
• Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is expected to return from an ACL injury possibly by Week 6 or 7, as the team adjusts its backfield following the move of rookie Jadarian Price to injured reserve and passing on veteran Joe Mixon.