Just a few weeks ago, the Falcons’ hopes of a playoff berth were effectively dashed with a fourth consecutive loss amid a stretch in which Kirk Cousins hadn’t thrown a touchdown while throwing eight interceptions. Now, the Michael Penix Jr. era is here, and the club officially controls its own postseason destiny again.
Squaring off against the lowly Giants, Penix, in place of the benched veteran, threw for 202 yards on 18-of-27 passing with one interception that wasn’t his fault. Driving towards the endzone in the second quarter, Penix hit Kyle Pitts in the chest for a first down inside of the 10-yard line, but Pitts bobbled it and essentially handed it to Cor’Dale Flott.
Nevertheless, it was the kind of debut that gets a fan base excited. The Falcons offense looked more formidable, less predictable, and balanced. They were 8-of-14 on third downs and 2-of-4 in the red zone, an area the Falcons struggled with Cousins under center in recent weeks. Of course, the Falcons’ defense did its part, scoring two pick-sixes against a lowly Giants offense.
The box score isn’t going to blow anyone away, but Michael Penix Jr. checked a lot of boxes, and he’s got the chance of immediate success with a playoff berth in his grasp. The Falcons’ win over the Giants was expected. What wasn’t expected was the Buccaneers’ Sunday Night Football loss to the Cowboys, dropping Tampa Bay to 8-7 and in a tie with Atlanta atop the NFC South, but the Falcons have the head-to-head tiebreaker so they are in the driver’s seat.
The Falcons will now travel to Washington to take on old friend Dan Quinn in a rookie vs. rookie quarterback matchup that is a must-win for both teams. Jayden Daniels looks like he’s going to win the Rookie of the Year award, and Michael Penix Jr. is making his primetime debut. This is what dreams are made of people.
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