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Sunday Night Football is set for an electric showdown as the 8-7 Atlanta Falcons visit the 10-5 Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 29, with kickoff scheduled for 8:20 PM ET on NBC. With both teams battling for playoff positioning, this clash has all the makings of a marquee game.
The Falcons come into this matchup fresh off a dominant 34-7 home win over the New York Giants, reclaiming the NFC South lead. Meanwhile, the Commanders earned a thrilling last-second 36-33 victory against the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, extending their win streak to three games. Let’s explain how these teams are shaping up for this pivotal matchup.
Atlanta’s season has been a rollercoaster, and the last two weeks have been a high point. After dropping four straight games, the Falcons have rebounded with consecutive wins to surge back into the NFC South lead. Their most recent victory against the Giants saw rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. make his debut under center. The rookie put up a modest 202 passing yards with one interception, but he avoided costly mistakes and let superstar running back Bijan Robinson lead the charge.
Robinson was the star of the show, racking up 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. With 1,196 rushing yards (fifth in the league) and 10 rushing touchdowns on the season, plus his 420 receiving yards, Robinson is the engine that drives Atlanta’s offense.
The Falcons’ passing attack is a bit of a question mark with Penix making his first road start. Although leading receivers Drake London (83 receptions, 979 yards, 7 TDs) and Darnell Mooney (62 receptions, 955 yards, 5 TDs) have been consistently awesome contributors, London’s hamstring injury in Week 16 adds another layer of uncertainty. Atlanta’s defense has been serviceable, particularly against the run (12th in rushing yards allowed), but their 20th-ranked pass defense will face a stern test against a dynamic Commanders offense.
The Commanders’ season has been defined by streaks, and they’re currently riding high on a three-game winning run. In their victory over the Eagles, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels delivered a career performance, throwing for 258 yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winner with just five seconds left. Daniels added 81 rushing yards on nine carries, showcasing the dual-threat ability that has him on the fast track to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Washington’s offense, averaging 28.8 points per game (fourth in the league), has been bolstered by contributions from its talented backfield trio. Daniels, Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler have combined to make the Commanders the NFL’s third-best rushing attack. WR Terry McLaurin has also been dominant, ranking eighth in the league with 1,029 receiving yards and second in touchdown receptions with 12.
Defensively, the Commanders have become stout against the pass, ranking fourth in yards allowed. However, their 30th-ranked rush defense could be a major liability against Bijan Robinson. The front seven struggled mightily against Saquon Barkley last week, allowing 150 rushing yards and two scores. Cleaning that up will be crucial to Washington’s chances of securing a win.
This game features two explosive offenses but contrasting strengths. The Falcons lean heavily on their ground game, with Robinson as the centerpiece, while the Commanders rely on their balanced attack, spearheaded by Daniels’ arm and legs.
The key for Atlanta will be controlling the clock and keeping Daniels off the field. Establishing the run and limiting Penix’s exposure in the passing game will give them their best chance. On the flip side, Washington will look to exploit Atlanta’s shaky pass defense and force Penix into a shootout, a scenario that favors the more well-rounded Commanders.
Atlanta’s defense has the talent to slow down the Commanders’ rushing attack, but they’ll need to get creative to contain Daniels, who has proven capable of winning games both through the air and on the ground. If Washington can jump out to an early lead, their pass defense could make life difficult for the rookie quarterback, especially if he’s forced to air it out. Expect the Commanders to ride the momentum of their three-game win streak and take this one 35-24 in a high-scoring affair that showcases their offensive firepower.
While we expect the Commanders to win comfortably, Bijan Robinson should still have a big day. With Washington’s struggles against the run, Robinson will likely see a heavy workload early. And if the Falcons fall behind, Penix could turn to Robinson in the passing game for check-downs and short gains that Robinson can turn into explosive plays. Bijan to record 115+ rushing + receiving yards is our official pick!
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.