Penix, Jr earns right to stay qb1

Wow, just wow…after two games with Michael Penix, Jr starting under center for the Atlanta Falcons, he has wowed everyone and is 1-1 after two games and one game left. He has made very few rookie mistakes and has looked poised, comfortable, and confident behind the center. In the 34-7 Falcons blowout win at home against the New York Football Giants, he threw for 202 yards and one interception. He relied heavily on the running game that scored the touchdowns as well as two defensive pick sixes. In the loss last night at the Washington Commanders, he kept the team in the game and threw for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Going into the half the Falcons were leading 17-7. A few key defensive mistakes helped Washington get back into the game and took the lead 24-17 late in the game. Penix then took the team down in a 2-minute drill and passed to Tight End Kyle Pitts to tie the game at 24. The Falcons got the ball back but missed the 54-yard field goal to lead the game into overtime. That was the last time the Falcons touched the ball, Rookie Commanders Quarterback Jaden Daniels led Washington down the field for the game winning TD, 30-24.

With the win, the Commanders (11-5) earned a spot in the playoffs. With the loss, the Falcons (8-8) are still alive for the playoffs. The Falcons need to win Sunday at home versus the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to lose at the New Orlean Saints. Both teams would be 9-8, but Atlanta holds the tiebreaker over Tampa because Atlanta won both games against the Buccaneers.

Even if the Falcons win the division, it is going to be a long shot for Atlanta to make a deep run into the playoffs. The team now has their quarterback for the future, but they don’t have the team to compete this year against the powerhouses. Next year could be a fun year for this team.

NOTE TO KNOW

The last time the Falcons (8-8) won more than eight games dates back to 2017 with a 10-6 record, which was also the last time they were in the playoffs.

• 2024: 8-8 ; one game remaining
• 2023: 7-10
• 2022: 7-10
• 2021: 7-10 (League went to a 17-game schedule)
• 2020: 4-12
• 2019: 7-9
• 2018: 7-9
• 2017: 10-6 _playoffs (1-1)

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