The Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons clashed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to kick off the Monday night doubleheader. The game got off to an unexpected start, with the Falcons taking a 21-7 lead fairly early. Just when it looked like we might be in for a shootout, both defenses showed up in the second half, allowing 10 combined points.

The Bills did their best to complete the comeback, but some big late plays from Michael Penix and Bijan Robinson helped seal the deal for the Falcons. The Bills, meanwhile, have now dropped two straight games, and the Falcons will look to build on their massive win after their first consecutive wins of the season.

Here were my takeaways from Monday’s game.

Michael Penix flashed, but lacks consistency

Atlanta’s QB got off to a sluggish start. Through his first three games, Penix threw for 605 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, but things turned around for him before the bye week, throwing for 313 yards and two scores against the Washington Commanders.

I’ll admit, I thought he was going to come out and struggle tonight, but I was wrong. Penix was decisive and torched the Bills’ secondary in the first half, throwing for 171 yards and a touchdown. He wasn’t just accurate; he was putting balls exactly where they needed to be. It was honestly one of the most impressive halves I’ve seen from a QB this year.

But then the second half happened. Penix looked like a shell of himself in the second half, but I’ll tell you what. That throw to Bijan Robinson with Joey Bosa breathing down his neck with a little under five minutes left was incredible. No matter how poorly he played in the second half statistically, that play—and that field goal drive—was huge in helping secure the win.

If Penix can play like he did in the first half for a full 60 minutes, the Falcons can be a dangerous team this season. He just needs to be a bit more consistent, but he’s on the right track.

Bills defense couldn’t show up when it mattered the most

The Bills’ defense looked horrific in the first half, allowing 335 yards of offense—168 rushing and 171 passing—and allowed the Falcons to rush for 9.9 yards per carry. They looked lost on every play, but you really have to give credit to the Falcons’ offense, which just dominated the point of attack on every play. Their offense made very calculated moves.

At one point, it looked like Atlanta might run away with this game, but Buffalo’s defense had an incredible mid-game turnaround. In the second half, Sean McDermott’s defense gave up just 109 total yards – 62 passing and 47 rushing – and allowed just three points. Unfortunately, those three points came at the most inopportune time.

The Falcons got the ball back with five minutes on the clock and marched down the field in 14 plays before kicking a field goal to go up 10 with 1:02 left on the clock.

The Bills’ defense made one heck of a turnaround in the second half, but when they needed to get a stop, they just couldn’t do it.

Drake London is a top 10 receiver in the NFL

When Darnell Mooney is out, put the house on Drake London. It’s a very small sample size, but every time the Falcons don’t have Mooney, London has a massive game.

It felt like every time Penix threw the ball in the first half, it went London’s way. He went into HALFTIME with nine catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Falcons’ passing offense fell off a cliff in the second half, and London caught just one pass for 11 yards to finish the night with 10 catches for 158 yards and a score.

London is a special talent, and if Penix continues to develop and can be more consistent, he’s going to become one of the best receivers in the league. Right now, he’s being held back by his quarterback, but Penix is looking better and better every week, so by the end of the season, we’ll see where London stands among the best in the league.

The Bills are regretting not getting a true WR1

Josh Allen can overcome a lot, but when his already lackluster receiving core is down, Curtis Samuel and Dalton Kincaid, there’s only so much he can do.

Keon Coleman has not developed into the receiver they hoped he would. Josh Palmer was a good addition, but he’s not a world beater, and Khalil Shakir can make plays, but he’s no WR1. What Allen needs is a true top dog that can go off for 100+ yards on any given Sunday. Just look at what he did with Stefon Diggs for years.

The Bills have failed to give him an elite receiver for two seasons now, and they’re starting to reap what they sowed. If they had a true star wideout, I think the outcome of their last two games would’ve been different. I expect (and really hope) they’ll be looking to add someone at the deadline.

Bijan Robinson might be the most dynamic player in the league

I know he doesn’t lead the league in rushing or anything, but Bijan Robinson might be the most dynamic player in the league. He does absolutely everything well. He can run, he can catch, he can break tackles, he can blow by defenders, and he can block. Literally anything.

In the first half, Bijan carried the ball 12 times for 138 yards (11.5 YPC) and a touchdown. Despite the Falcons’ offensive struggles, Bijan was nearly as efficient in the second half. He finished the game with 19 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown while adding six catches and 68 yards through the air.

Through five games, Robinson now has 484 rushing yards, 338 receiving yards, and three touchdowns on the year. He will move into second place in rushing yards and 24th in receiving yards, and he’s done it in one less game than pretty much everyone else. He should be in the MVP conversation moving forward.

If you told me I could start a franchise with any running back in the NFL, it would be Bijan because of what he can do in the run and pass game.

How good are the Falcons with their defense?

If you have been following the Falcons closely this season, you would know how strong Atlanta’s defense has been despite its offensive struggles. They remain the only secondary in the entire NFL that has restricted its opponent to 300 yards or fewer of offense. So, when the Bills finished with just 291 (their season low), it was not surprising.

Now, with a massive win over a Super Bowl contender team, the Falcons will head into Week 7 with high confidence to face the 49ers. And as for the Bills, Josh Allen & Co. will have enough time to figure out their shortcomings before they face the Panthers in a road game in Week 8.