ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. regarded like an NFL veteran in his first skilled begin however not as a lot as he appeared like one when he took the rostrum after the sport.
The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was at an area Costco purchasing Tuesday evening when head coach Raheem Morris knowledgeable him he can be making his first NFL begin. After main the Falcons to a 34-7 win over the New York Giants in that begin, Penix was requested if he’d be celebrating the win at Costco on Sunday evening.
“No, hopefully, one thing fancier,” Penix stated. “Costco is nice, although. Costco, hit me up.”
If the Falcons (8-7) preserve taking part in like they did Sunday, Penix could get a sponsorship supply from the corporate, which might imply he changed Kirk Cousins to grow to be Atlanta’s Kirkland quarterback and pitch Costco’s signature line of merchandise.
“Couldn’t be extra happy with how the staff responded, actually rallied behind a younger man,” Morris stated. “He went out and performed practically flawless soccer and helped us get a win.”
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Tampa Bay’s loss to Dallas on Sunday evening put the Falcons again within the driver’s seat within the NFC South. In the event that they win their last two video games, at Washington and residential towards Carolina, they may host a playoff sport.
The Falcons’ 27-point margin of victory was their second largest because the 2016 Tremendous Bowl season, they usually have now topped seven wins in a season for the primary time because the 10-win 2017 season. The Giants (2-13) misplaced their tenth straight, the longest dropping streak in franchise historical past.
“You do really feel (nerves), however as soon as I hit the sphere it goes away,” Penix stated. “It’s the sport I’ve been taking part in since I used to be 5 years previous. It’s at a better stage, nevertheless it’s the identical sport.”
The Falcons drafted Penix eighth in April meaning to let him understudy behind Cousins for a yr or longer, however Cousins’ most up-to-date 5 video games satisfied them to speed up that timeline.
“The plan got here a little bit bit sooner, however the child was prepared,” Morris stated. “We had a variety of time to develop him, and the child did an awesome job himself of preparing the place the second wasn’t too large.”
Cousins swallowed the sting of being benched lower than a yr after signing a four-year, $180 million contract to mentor Penix all through the week, Penix stated. Within the tunnel earlier than the pair jogged out for warmups, Cousins stated his weekly prayer and patted Penix on the again, gently pushing him to jog out in entrance of him.
“Kirk has been nice all week, simply being there for me and something I need assistance with. He’s an awesome chief, nice teammate,” Penix stated. “Coming off the sidelines, he was asking me what I noticed, and he continued to encourage me all through the entire sport.”
And, with a pat on the again from Kirk Cousins, right here comes Michael Penix Jr. for the Atlanta Falcons. pic.twitter.com/xisQiO0SyR
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) December 22, 2024
Penix completed 18-for-27 for 202 yards and one interception on a ball that bounced out of the arms of tight finish Kyle Pitts close to the aim line. The quarterback was victimized by three drops, together with on his first throw of the sport. Drops of his passes weren’t uncommon throughout his early practices due to his robust arm, however Penix has made large strides in throwing a extra catchable ball, stated huge receiver Darnell Mooney, who led the Falcons with 5 catches for 82 yards after which instructed reporters they won’t wish to stand too near him within the locker room as a result of he was feeling underneath the climate.
“When he first acquired right here, he was (too excited) to throw the ball and all people was dropping the ball in all places,” Mooney stated. “Now he’s simply chilling, and he’s acquired some contact to him.”
Sunday’s drops didn’t rattle Penix, operating again Bijan Robinson stated.
“After the Kyle play, he was like, ‘We’re good,’” Robinson stated. “A variety of guys would have put their heads down, however he was like, ‘We’re good, we’ll get it proper again the following drive,’ and that’s what he did.”
Robinson carried the ball 22 occasions for 94 yards and is fourth within the league in speeding (1,196 yards). He ran for 2 touchdowns however was upset he didn’t get a receiving rating as a result of he was tripped up wanting the aim line on a swing move. Robinson returned to the huddle and apologized to Penix for not getting him his first NFL passing landing.
“I instructed him, ‘It’s all good, man. We received the soccer sport,’” Penix stated. “That simply exhibits the individual he’s, not simply him however all people on this staff, the character. He talked about getting me my first landing, nevertheless it’ll come. The largest factor we wish to do every week is win. We did that.”
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Atlanta’s protection had nothing to apologize for after returning two interceptions for touchdowns in the identical sport for the primary time since 1983. Jessie Bates III jumped in entrance of a Drew Lock move and returned it 55 yards within the second quarter, after which celebrated with Deion Sanders’ “Prime Time” dance. He stated his inspiration was the throwback pink helmets Atlanta wore Sunday.
“One thing about these pink helmets,” Bates stated.
Within the third quarter, defensive lineman Matthew Judon recorded the primary interception and first landing of his nine-year profession when he discovered himself holding a move batted by Zach Harrison and rumbled 27 yards into the top zone.
“I simply regarded up and it fell proper there. All glory to God,” stated Judon, who grew to become the primary Falcon since Kroy Biermann in 2011 to have a choose six and a sack in the identical sport. “I’m actually grateful. I saved thanking Zach the entire time in (the locker room) till he left.”
The Falcons additionally recorded three sacks, one among which resulted in a fumble recovered by Arnold Ebiketie.
Penix, although, was the story of the day. Just by offering a stabilizing ingredient on the place, he gave the Falcons hope for his or her playoff push. His coaches and teammates stated they by no means actually doubted that the 24-year-old would.
The Falcons reorganized the “Mamba” intervals they’ve utilized in follow this yr the place the starters from both sides face off in aggressive conditions to present Penix some appears he hadn’t seen sufficient of, however aside from that didn’t change their routine in any respect, Morris stated.
“I feel the man is only a grown grownup that got here in with a excessive stage of soccer expertise,” the coach stated. “I couldn’t be extra happy with the younger man. It was enjoyable to observe.”
(Picture: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Photographs)
