The Atlanta Falcons are headed into a huge game this weekend against the Chicago Bears, and they are going to be doing it potentially with both teams having their starting quarterbacks back in action.

Bears star Caleb Williams has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, and though Chicago has gone 2-1, last week's beatdown at the hands of their hated rival Green Bay Packers showcased just how badly his team needs him back. In the case of the Falcons, we have seen now more than enough evidence to show just how critical Michael Penix Jr.'s presence is on the field for this team to have a chance.

It was trending this way all week despite Penix's rib injury that took him out of Sunday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but an update from NFL insider Ian Rapoport showed just how significant the chances are that both are playing this weekend.

Rapoport clarified that Williams was a full participant in practice on Wednesday as was Penix for the Falcons. Reading the writing on the wall, it seems a real quarterback duel is destined to play out in Atlanta this week.

Williams looked like an MVP candidate early in the season before he went down with the injury, and while Penix has not fully put it all together, he has for the most part done exactly what has been asked of him in the games he has been able to play in this year.

Given the desperation from the Falcons to win this football game, they would likely gladly take the trade off of Williams playing if it means Penix is also playing, and fans in attendance are not going to have to be treated to a battle between backups in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The game certainly gets tougher with Williams back in the fold, but the way Atlanta has played with Penix on the field gives them a great chance no matter who the opponent is. If they are going to pull off a victory in this one, they will have to get back to the successful formula of running the ball and stopping the run as well as forcing Williams into some mistakes.

With the way this defense has looked at times when it has been at its best, there should be a great chance of the Falcons doing just that.