Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s pass-catchers continue to do him no favors. In Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers, Penix dropped back on a 1st-and-10 at Atlanta's 27-yard line and fired a pass to wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III early in the third quarter.

As Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons make a playoff push, the rookie QB will be heavily relied upon now that he's the starter.

The Atlanta Falcons reclaimed the NFC South lead this weekend, defeating the New York Giants by a score of 34-7. Michael Penix Jr. impressed in his first real NFL action, becoming just the third Falcons rookie quarterback ever to win his first start.

The Falcons surprisingly selected Penix with the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. The pick wasn't a surprise because of Penix's résumé so much as the team's $180 million signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier in the offseason. After a rough 14 games to begin his Falcons career, Atlanta benched Cousins for Penix.

The Falcons have Penix set up well with an excellent run game led by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, good players to throw to like Drake London and Darnell Mooney (and maybe even Kyle Pitts if he can finally put it all together) and a sound offensive line to keep him upright. That will matter as Penix finds himself as an NFL quarterback.

The first NFL start for Michael Penix Jr. was a good one as he led the Atlanta Falcons to a commanding win against the New York Giants. The rookie

the Atlanta Falcons benched $180 million quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. ahead of a Sunday meeting with the visiting New York Giants. Atlanta (7-7) looked to be a ...

Michael Penix Jr. completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards in his first career start, helping the Atlanta Falcons post a 34-7 rout of the visiting New

The Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants Week 16 duel presented two teams with different aspirations at this point of the 2024 NFL season.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris benched starting quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. last week, and Penix ultimately

34 unanswered points, 200-plus passing yards, and no earned interceptions, that’s a win-win day for new Atlanta Falcons starting Michael Penix Jr. following a 34-7 smackdown of the New York Giants. “Being out there the first snap, it felt a little different, but I was excited and I was ready for the moment,” Penix said after his first start.

The Atlanta Falcons exchanged Christmas gifts in their locker room Monday and Tuesday, but starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will have to wait for his preferred present. And it won't be under the tree when he wakes up Wednesday morning.