Penix Jr. Shines in Debut, Igniting Hope for Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. impressed in his first start, showing promise for the Falcons’ future and keeping playoff hopes alive with a solid performance.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons, NFL, Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson, New York Giants, Playoffs
Atlanta: So, the Falcons kicked off a new chapter on Sunday with Michael Penix Jr. making his debut as quarterback. He stepped in for Kirk Cousins, who’s likely on his way out after this season.
They faced off against the struggling Giants and came away with a solid 34-7 win. It was a great start for Penix, and it really opened up the playbook for the team.
Coach Raheem Morris praised Penix, calling him “flawless,” which might be a bit much, but he did complete 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards. The one interception wasn’t even his fault.
Penix was pumped about the game, saying he was ready for the moment and had been preparing every day. He felt blessed to be part of such a great team effort.
Right from the get-go, the Falcons tried something new with a play-action bootleg. Penix rolled out and aimed for Ray-Ray McCloud, who unfortunately dropped the pass. They got into field goal range but missed the kick, so they had to keep pushing.
Overall, it was the best the Falcons’ offense had looked in weeks. Penix brought a fresh energy that they really needed.
This week, they ramped up their play-action game, with over 22% of their passing plays using it. That’s a big jump from the previous games where it was under 15%!
This change made things easier for Penix and helped Bijan Robinson shine, too. He rushed for 94 yards and scored two touchdowns, making the offense look good.
Robinson mentioned how important it is for the run game to be explosive for a guy like Penix. They’re helping each other out, and it’s showing on the field.
The Falcons averaged 2.22 points per drive in this game, a huge improvement from the 1.37 they had been averaging. They were able to score touchdowns and really maximize their drives.
Penix was sharp and decisive, showing off his strong arm. He handled the pressure well, and the defense had his back, too. Jessie Bates III and Matthew Judon both scored on interception returns, which took some weight off Penix’s shoulders.
Bates said they had a chat about making plays and helping Penix settle in. It seems like they did just that.
His only interception came from a dropped pass, and he wasn’t sacked at all. Penix isn’t the most mobile guy, but he’s definitely more agile than Cousins has been lately.
While it’s worth noting they played the Giants, the Falcons had just struggled against the Raiders, so this was a real step up for them. They still have a shot at the playoffs if they can win against the Commanders and Panthers. It could be an exciting start to the Penix era, but for now, they’re just taking it one game at a time. The early signs are looking good!