Falcons record in prime time: How Atlanta turns into 'Super Bowl contender' — on national TV only image
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:
Season Date Prime-Time Slot Final Score Falcons' QB
2024 Monday, Sept. 16 Monday Night Football Falcons 22, Eagles 21 Kirk Cousins
2024 Sunday, Sept. 22 Sunday Night Football Chiefs 22, Falcons 17 Kirk Cousins
2024 Thursday, Oct. 3 Thursday Night Football Falcons 36, Buccaneers 30 (OT) Kirk Cousins
2024 Monday, Dec. 16 Monday Night Football Falcons 15, Raiders 9 Kirk Cousins
2024 Sunday, Dec. 29 Sunday Night Football Commanders 30, Falcons 24 Michael Penix Jr.
2025 Sunday, Sept. 14 Sunday Night Football Falcons 22, Vikings 6 Michael Penix Jr.
2025 Monday, Oct. 13 Monday Night Football Falcons 24, Bills 14 Michael Penix Jr.
2025 Sunday, Oct. 19 Sunday Night Football 49ers 20, Falcons 10 Michael Penix Jr.
2025 Sunday, Nov. 9 London Game Colts 31, Falcons 25 Michael Penix Jr.
2025 Thursday, Dec. 11 Thursday Night Football Falcons 29, Buccaneers 28 Kirk Cousins
2025 Monday, Dec. 29 Monday Night Football Falcons 27, Rams 24 Kirk Cousins
2026 Thursday, Sept. 24 Thursday Night Football Falcons 35, Falcons 14 Michael Penix Jr.
2026 Monday, Oct. 5 Monday Night Football Falcons 45, Saints 24 Michael 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."