Penix Returns, Saints-Falcons Shootout Could Feed Bijan, Olave Managers
With Michael Penix Jr. back and two leaky defenses on the field Monday night, this MNF game profiles as a points fest for your skill-position starters.
Focal point against a Saints D that feeds star backs.
- Michael Penix Jr. returns from injury for Falcons MNF
- Bijan cleared his line in 2 of 3 games in 2026
- Saints allowed TDs to St. Brown, Bateman, Bowers Weeks 1-3
- Shough: 917 pass yds, 8 TD, 3 INT in 3 games (2026)
- Falcons have given up 3 TDs to tight ends in 2026
Michael Penix Jr. is back under center for Atlanta, which means the Falcons offense can actually function again for Monday night's division showdown with New Orleans. Pair a healthy Penix with Kellen Moore's up-tempo scheme and two defenses that have struggled to get stops, and you've got the makings of a genuine shootout. The number to watch: this total has been set high for a reason.
The fantasy read starts with Bijan Robinson, who's the clear engine of this offense. He's cleared his projected rushing line comfortably in two of his three games this season — the lone miss being the blowout in Carolina, where the quarterback situation cratered the whole operation. The Saints have been a soft touch for featured backs all year, so Bijan should eat both on the ground and out of the backfield.
The Pass-Catchers Cash In
Chris Olave has been excellent to open 2026 and shouldn't slow down here. If the scoring materializes the way the setup suggests, Tyler Shough won't hesitate to lean on his top target — Shough has already thrown for 917 yards and eight touchdowns across three games this season (2026), good for 75 PPR points and our WR... er, QB25. Olave is squarely in the every-week starter conversation if this game plays fast.
Don't sleep on the tight end, either. Shough has leaned on his tight end in the red zone, and Atlanta's defense has already surrendered three touchdowns to the position in 2026. That's a recipe for a goal-line look or two in a game expected to go over 50 combined points.
Why Drake London Pops
On the Atlanta side, Drake London is the alpha and the Saints simply haven't contained alpha receivers. They allowed two scores to Amon-Ra St. Brown in Week 1 — St. Brown is our WR3 and sits at 91 PPR points through four games (2026) — then gave up a touchdown to Rashad Bateman in Week 2 and another to Brock Bowers operating as a de facto No. 1 in Week 3. London should find the end zone against that group.
The bottom line for your Monday night lineups: Bijan Robinson is a lock-and-load start with league-winning upside in this matchup, and Olave, London and the Falcons tight end all profile as confident plays. Even Shough carries DFS appeal given the volume this script should hand him. If you were ever going to trust these skill guys, a high-total division game against two porous defenses is the week to do it.
