Buffalo Bills @ Atlanta Falcons: Preview, prediction, and odds

Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons matchup

The Buffalo Bills (4-1) will look to bounce back from their primetime loss to the New England Patriots last week and allay any doubts about their status as a Super Bowl candidate in the AFC when they take on the Atlanta Falcons (2-2) on Monday Night Football.

A sluggish performance from the Bills was punished by their AFC East rivals as Buffalo suffered its first defeat of the season.

Josh Allen and company are expected to bounce back against a Falcons team that has yet to find consistency, but the Bills are wary of an Atlanta offense that impressed so much in their Week 4 win over the Washington Commanders before last week’s bye.

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had his best game as a pro against Washington, completing 76.9 percent of his passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, averaging 12 yards per attempt for a quarterback rating of 126.0.

“(Penix Jr.) knows (the offense) like the back of his hand,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “He is very detailed in how he runs their offense and certainly has a great running game to accompany the talent and skills he brings to the table.

“His throwing ability is very impressive and very accurate. He seems to have a great feel for NFL defenses already, which is rare.”

Buffalo’s defense also has to deal with the upside that Bijan Robinson brings to Atlanta on the ground and in the air.

“Big time (double threat),” McDermott added of Robinson. “He can do it in the run game, the passing game. He plays all downs, which is kind of rare anymore, and we have a lot of respect for his game.”

However, the Bills have the most explosive offense in football, producing 35 passes of at least 15 yards and 18 TDs of at least 10.

With Allen contributing to both, the Bills are expected to outpace the Falcons if they can avoid the turnovers that helped wipe them out against New England, yet the reigning MVP knows Buffalo can’t take anything for granted.

“At the end of the day, this is the NFL,” Allen said. “Every week has to be earned, and that starts in practice.”

The Falcons will be without a key weapon in wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring). On the Buffaloes side, linebacker Matt Milano is unavailable due to a chest injury.