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This is glaring indictment of Falcons OC Zac Robinson

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 12:14 PM ET

When a team gets shut out, it’s hard to argue that anyone on offense did their job. That was exactly the case in the Falcons’ 30-0 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

The offensive line remains a work in progress without Kaleb McGary at right tackle, particularly in pass protection. Michael Penix Jr. delivered the worst performance of his young career, struggling with accuracy, anticipation, and decision-making. And then there’s second-year offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who continues to disappoint after being billed as one of the league’s next offensive masterminds during his time as the Rams’ quarterbacks coach.

Since taking over last season, Robinson’s offenses have moved the ball between the 20s, but their Achilles’ heel has been situational football — critical downs and red zone execution.

Much of that comes down to Robinson’s predictability, which has become glaring through three games. According to Pro Football Focus, the Falcons have attempted just one pass from under center this season. They own the fourth-lowest play-action rate, the lowest deep-pass rate, run the ball over 70% of the time from pistol, and throw 93% of the time from shotgun.

Some startling Falcons splits through three weeks per @PFF:

– Only one pass attempt from under center
– 93% pass rate out of shotgun formation
– Over 70% run rate out of pistsol formation
– 4th lowest play action pass rate in NFL
– lowest deep pass rate in NFL (4%)

— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) September 23, 2025

That’s an incredibly damning indictment of Zac Robinson, who has essentially been telegraphing to opponents whether the Falcons are running or passing on every play.

In response to their embarrassing loss over the weekend, the Falcons fired widely respected wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard and announced they will move Robinson from the booth to the field level. The latter should improve his communication with first-year starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but the more pressing issue remains the week-to-week game planning.

Teams cannot be this predictable and expect sustained success at the NFL level. Until that changes, the Falcons’ offense will continue to flounder, and the development of Michael Penix Jr. will remain in serious jeopardy.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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