Michael Penix Jr. Throws For Over 300 Yards, Tallies Three Scores In Week 18 Loss
Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went 21-for-38 with 312 yards, two passing scores and an interception during their overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. Penix added five yards and score on his lone carry. After averaging just 212.5 passing yards during the first two games of his career, Penix enjoyed a strong finish to the 2024 campaign, despite falling just short to the Panthers. The Washington product leaned on his top wideout Drake London as he threw to him 18 times. London also brought in both his touchdown passes and finished the day with 187 receiving yards. The 24-year-old has tallied four total touchdowns over his first three NFL games but sits with a 1-2 record, with both of his losses coming in overtime. Fantasy managers should expect Penix to be in the driver's seat to open as the team's starting QB in 2025.
Michael Penix Jr. Draws Favorable Matchup In Week 18 Versus Panthers
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. just needs to take care of the football -- and get some help from the Saints -- in order to send his team to the playoffs. The 24-year-old is 37-for-62 (59.7%) in his two games as starter, with two touchdowns and one interception (that was not his fault). But with a strong ground game that rushed for 200 yards and three scores the last time Atlanta faced Carolina in October, Penix Jr. should be handing the ball off much more than he should be passing it. Not that the Panthers can stop the passing attack, allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing QBs including five TDs last week to Baker Mayfield and even three TDs to Cooper Rush in Week 15. With the friendly matchup and some likely volatility at the QB position in the final week of the regular season with some starters sitting or seeing only limited playing time, the former first-round draft pick sets up as a high-end QB2 on Sunday.
Michael Penix Jr. Nearly Leads Team To Victory In Week 17
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. nearly led his team to a win on Sunday Night Football, getting the team into position for a potential game-winning field goal, but the kick fell short and the Falcons ultimately lost 30-24 to the Commanders in overtime. The former first-round draft pick completed 19-of-35 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Some passes were clearly off-target, but others displayed the 24-year-old's talent level, including the game-tying touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts late in the fourth quarter. The rookie will get a chance to end the season on a high note and send the Falcons -- with some help from the Saints -- to the playoffs with a win against the Panthers in Week 18.
Michael Penix Jr. A Low-End QB2 In Second Career Start In Week 17
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took over for Kirk Cousins in Week 16 and fared about as well as one could expect from a player making his first NFL start, completing 67% of his passes (18-for-27) and throwing just one interception that was a result of a tipped ball by one of his own receivers, not a poor decision or pass on his part. Although the 24-year-old did not throw a touchdown pass, it wasn't needed with Bijan Robinson rushing for 94 yards and two scores while the defense provided the other two TDs. The 2024 first-round draft pick will take on the Commanders in Week 17, a defense that ranks around the middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to QBs on the season, but has yielded the second-fewest fantasy points to the position over the past four weeks. The matchup takes place in D.C. and with playoff implications for both teams, this contest could prove to be a much stiffer challenge for the rookie quarterback. Fantasy managers looking to lock down fantasy championships will want to look elsewhere for a streaming QB, as Penix Jr. should be viewed as a low-end QB2 in Week 17.
Michael Penix Jr. With An Empty Fantasy Day In First Career Win
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. led the Falcons to victory on Sunday in a 34-7 thrashing of the New York Giants, however, it was the run game and defense that was truly responsible for the win. Penix Jr. was 18-for-27 (67%) for 202 yards, but did not throw a touchdown and he tossed one interception, while the Falcons scored two TDs via the rush and the defense had two pick-sixes. The rookie QB wasn't asked to do too much and didn't really need to; look for more of the same next week when the Falcons take on the Commanders in D.C. in a game with playoff implications for both teams. The Commanders have been solid against the pass but not so much against the run, with one of the most fantasy-friendly rush defenses in the NFL. Saquon Barkley just ran for 150 yards and two scores against them in Week 16, so look for Bijan Robinson to carry the load next Sunday, likely leaving Penix Jr. as a low-end QB2 again in Week 17.
Michael Penix Jr. A Fantasy Gamble In First Career Start
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will make his first career start in Week 16 against the New York Giants. The Falcons are heavy favorites in this one, but that is likely more a product of their one-two punch in the backfield of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier rather than a vote of confidence in the young signal-caller's arm. Not that Penix hasn't been on the big stage before or lacks upside; he led the Washington Huskies to the National Championship game this past January, ultimately losing to Michigan, with Atlanta subsequently taking him with the eighth overall selection in the 2024 Draft, so he's got the talent. But, while the Giants have allowed the third-highest completion percentage and have recorded a league-low two interceptions on the season, they've tallied the seventh-most sacks on the year, so Penix could be under pressure despite some things working in his favor. Hopefully the 24-year-old's receivers have quickly got accustomed to a left-hander throwing a football as well, which could make things a little more challenging than usual on Sunday. Whether it does or not, fantasy managers vying for championships who are also looking for a streaming option should look elsewhere as the former first-rounder projects as a risky, low-end QB2 in Week 16.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been named the starting quarterback moving forward, according to head coach Raheem Morris. This news comes a day after the 15-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Kirk Cousins was able to pull together a victory, but has one touchdown and nine interceptions over the last five games. The Falcons playoff hopes are quickly evaporating so they've decided to make a change at quarterback. Penix helped lead the Washington Huskies to an undefeated season and a trip to the National Championship game in 2023. Afterwards, the Falcons used the No. 8 overall selection on Penix in this year's draft. That seemed like an odd decision at the time given they'd just signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. The hope is that a change at quarterback will jumpstart this offense. Penix will get a plus-matchup in his first career start against the New York Giants in Week 16. Although, fantasy managers can't be certain what they'll get right away, which makes Penix a risky streaming choice in the fantasy playoffs.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. won't suit up for the team's preseason finale versus Jacksonville. Fortunately, it appears the rookie isn't injured. However, head coach Raheem Morris opted to hold him out of Saturday's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. With that said, Kirk Cousins (Achilles) won't suit up, meaning Taylor Heinicke and John Paddock will presumably close out the preseason for Atlanta before the club preparers for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Raheem Morris Explains Decision To Sit Michael Penix Jr. For Saturday's Game
Raheem Morris explained the decision to sit Michael Penix Jr. for today's game by noting that Penix had already shown enough during the first preseason game against Miami. Given his strong performance there, the coaching staff felt it wasn't necessary for him to play today. Although it was surprising that Penix didn't start in Saturday's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, Taylor Heinicke took the helm to showcase his abilities as a potential trade asset for quarterback-needy teams. If the Falcons have a successful season, Penix may not see any meaningful snaps. While it would seem beneficial for Penix to gain game experience, considering his history with knee injuries and his guaranteed spot on the roster, the team likely wants to avoid unnecessary hits. This is positive news for Atlanta's playmakers, who should be well-positioned even if Kirk Cousins has to miss any time.
Atlanta Falcons rookie first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr. came onto the field in Baltimore on Saturday in street clothes and appears unlikely to suit up for the preseason contest against the Ravens. The Falcons are planning to hold veteran Kirk Cousins (Achilles) out for the entire preseason, too, so it looks like we'll see a lot of Taylor Heinicke and John Paddock under center for the Falcons on Saturday. In his NFL debut last week in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, the 24-year-old Penix went 9-for-16 for 104 yards. There's a good chance Atlanta tries to trade Heinicke before the start of the regular season, especially if they're sold on the early development of Penix, so Saturday will give Heinicke a chance to audition for other NFL teams looking for more QB depth. Penix could be the direct backup to Cousins in his first year in the NFL.
Michael Penix Jr.
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Falcons
