Category: Falcons gameday

Michael Penix Jr. has message for Falcons fans after loss to Panthers

Michael Penix Jr. has a message for Falcons fans following Sunday’s 44-38 loss to the Panthers

Michael Penix Jr. has largely made the most of his three NFL starts, with several now questioning why the Falcons didn’t bench Kirk Cousins earlier in the season.

But hindsight is 20/20, and it’s clear things are on the right track at the quarterback position. Following Penix’s breakout performance against the Panthers, head coach Raheem Morris said he expects his young QB to dominate “as long as we will let him.”

The rookie had a message for Falcons fans after Sunday’s 44-38 overtime loss.

“Continue to believe,” said Penix. “We’ve got a lot of talent on this team, a lot of talent coming back. I look forward to a lot of playoffs and Super Bowls here.”

Penix seems to have a high level of confidence in himself as it is, but between the backing of his coaches, his surrounding cast and what he brings to the table, the former Washington quarterback is confident in the future for Atlanta.

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Raheem Morris highlights one major bright spot in Falcons’ loss

Raheem Morris sees one major bright spot in Falcons’ 44-38 loss to Panthers

The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t get the win over the Carolina Panthers to close out the season, but they were eliminated from the playoff race before Sunday’s 44-38 overtime loss was over.

While the team’s offensive performance was encouraging, the defense’s poor play was extremely concerning. Despite putting up 38 points and 537 yards of offense, the Falcons had literally no answer for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.

Atlanta failed to apply any pressure and the secondary gave up too many big plays. However, there was one undeniable bright spot in Sunday’s high-scoring season finale. 

Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was absolutely electric in his third NFL start. The No. 8 pick in the draft passed for a career-high 312 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers. 

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris wasn’t happy with his team’s overall effort but couldn’t help but be encouraged by Penix’s play on Sunday. 

“The light at the end of the tunnel for us, despite how bad and poor we played on defense or anywhere is the quarterback,” Morris said in his postgame press conference. “Michael Penix is certainly outstanding. He certainly one of the guys that’s going to play in this league and absolutely dominate for us as long as we allow him.”

Penix did everything he possibly could to put the Falcons in position to win the last two games. The rookie led clutch touchdown drives to send both games to overtime but the defense let the team down. 

The Falcons have a lot to figure out this offseason, but the future looks bright with Penix leading the way.

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NFL TV broadcast maps for Week 18 slate of games

Falcons vs Panthers: NFL TV Map for Week 18 matchup in Atlanta

The final Sunday of the 2024 NFL season has arrived and there’s still a small chance for the Atlanta Falcons to end their six-year playoff drought. If the Falcons can defeat the Carolina Panthers, and the New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta will win the division.

The 1 p.m. ET slot on Sunday is full of games, including both NFC South matchups. The Falcons and Panthers will air on CBS, while the Bucs-Saints game will air simultaneously on FOX.

Here’s a look at the TV broadcast maps for Week 18, via 506 Sports.

CBS Week 18 TV map: 1 p.m. ET

Image via 506Sports.com

  • RED: Panthers-Falcons
  • BLUE: Giants-Eagles
  • GREEN: Bills-Patriots
  • YELLOW: Texans-Titans

FOX Week 18 TV map: 1 p.m. ET

Image via 506Sports.com

  • RED: Saints-Bucs:
  • BLUE: Commanders-Cowboys
  • YELLOW: Jaguars-Colts
  • GREEN: Bears-Packers

CBS Week 18 TV map: Late games

Image via 506Sports.com

  • RED: Chiefs-Broncos
  • BLUE: Chargers-Raiders

FOX Week 18 TV map: Late games

Image via 506Sports.com

  • RED: Dolphins-Jets
  • BLUE: Seahawks-Rams
  • GREEN: 49ers-Cardinals

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Falcons release inactives list for season finale vs. Panthers

Falcons release inactives list for season finale vs. Carolina Panthers

The Atlanta Falcons have released their inactives list for Sunday’s season finale against the Carolina Panthers. Six players, including wide receiver Darnell Mooney, have been ruled out for Week 18.

Mooney is battling a shoulder injury that kept him out of practice on Friday. He will officially end his 2024 campaign just eight yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards (992).

Rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, cornerback Kevin King and linebacker JD Bertrand have also been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

Falcons Week 18 inactives list

  1. WR Darnell Mooney
  2. DL Brandon Dorlus
  3. CB Kevin King
  4. LB JD Bertrand
  5. OL Elijah Wilkinson
  6. OL Brandon Parker

Sunday’s game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Falcons are clinging to slim playoff odds but they just need a win and a loss by the Buccaneers to clinch their first NFC South title since 2016.

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Falcons vs. Panthers: Staff picks and predictions for Week 18

Falcons vs. Panthers: Staff picks and predictions for Sunday’s season finale at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

The Atlanta Falcons are still somewhat alive in the NFC South race entering Sunday’s season finale against the Carolina Panthers, however, they’ll need some help to end their six-year playoff drought.

Not only do the Falcons need to defeat the Panthers, but the New Orleans Saints must pull off the upset over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Atlanta to secure a division title in Week 18.

Both NFC South matchups will be played at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Check out our staff picks and predictions for Sunday’s season finale below:

Crissy Froyd (8-6):

The Falcons came up just short in last week’s 30-24 overtime loss to the Commanders. But, they’re up against a far more shaky opponent as they end the season with aspirations of making a postseason run. The Panthers have had tremendous ups and downs this season and currently have the NFL’s worst defense. They’ll also be dealing with some injury issues. The quarterback matchup between Michael Penix Jr. and Bryce Young will be fun to watch, but the Falcons come out with the win at home. | Falcons 31, Panthers 17

Deen Worley (8-7):

The Falcons didn’t get the result they wanted a week ago in Washington. A win would’ve given the team a chance to control their playoff destiny. However, now, it’s in the hands of chance and that chance is very low considering how easy the Buccaneers rolled last week and how poor the Saints are in the present. Falcons win fairly easily, but so do the Bucs, and Monday morning, the Falcons make a change at general manager. | Falcons 31 , Panthers 3

Matt Urben (8-7):

Atlanta has to win but I don’t expect this to be as lopsided as the team’s prior matchup against Carolina. The Panthers need to show some promise and I could see them getting out to an early lead on Sunday. Ultimately, I think the Falcons will pull away in the second half with another impressive performance by rookie Michael Penix Jr. | Falcons 28, Panthers 24

Is Darnell Mooney playing vs. Panthers?

Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney is considered a long shot to play in Sunday’s game, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. If Mooney is out, look for KhaDarel Hodge and Ray-Ray McCloud to step up in Week 18.

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Falcons list inactives for Sunday night matchup vs. Commanders

Falcons list inactives for Sunday night’s matchup against the Washington Commanders

The Atlanta Falcons have released their inactives list for Sunday night’s game against the Washington Commanders. Seven players, including cornerback Kevin King and rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, have been ruled out for Week 17.

King suffered a concussion during last week’s win over the New York Giants and missed all three days of practice. Atlanta also placed cornerback Antonio Hamilton on the injured reserve list and signed linebacker Josh Woods to the roster.

Falcons Week 17 inactives list

  1. CB Kevin King
  2. OL Brandon Parker
  3. OL Brandon Dorlus
  4. WR Casey Washington
  5. OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
  6. OL Elijah Wilkinson
  7. RB Carlos Washington

Commanders Week 17 inactives list

  1. CB Marshon Lattimore
  2. QB Jeff Driskel
  3. WR Dyami Brown
  4. S Tyler Owens
  5. LB Dominique Hampton
  6. LB Jordan Magee
  7. OT Andrew Wylie

Sunday’s game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET and will air nationally on NBC. Check back for postgame coverage following tonight’s action.

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Falcons schedule: Is Atlanta playing today? 

Are the Atlanta Falcons playing today? Game info for Sunday Night’s matchup vs. Washington Commanders

Will the Atlanta Falcons be on the field today in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season schedule? The Falcons will look to win their third game in a row against the Washington Commanders on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

Rookies Michael Penix Jr. and Jayden Daniels will face off in the first-ever prime-time matchup between two rookie quarterbacks drafted in the first round. Daniels and former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn have led the Commanders to a 10-5 record.

At 8-7, the Falcons must win to keep the Buccaneers off their heels in the NFC South race. Sunday’s game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Falcons 2024 schedule

  • Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh (L, 18-10)
  • Week 2: at Pittsburgh (W, 22-21)
  • Week 3: vs. Kansas City (L, 22-17)
  • Week 4: vs. New Orleans (W, 26-24)
  • Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay (W, 36-30)
  • Week 6: at Carolina (W, 38-20)
  • Week 7: vs. Seattle (L, 34-14)
  • Week 8: at Tampa Bay (W, 31-26)
  • Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys (W, 27-21)
  • Week 10: at New Orleans Saints (L, 20-17)
  • Week 11: at Denver Broncos(L, 38-6)
  • Week 12: BYE
  • Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (L, 17-13)
  • Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings (L, 42-21)
  • Week 15: at Las Vegas Raiders (W, 15-9)
  • Week 16: vs. New York Giants (W, 34-7)
  • Week 17: at Washington Commanders (10-5)
  • Week 18: vs. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
  • Falcons Record: 8-7

Tune into tonight’s game between the Falcons and Washington Commanders at 8:20 p.m. ET.

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Falcons vs. Giants: Staff picks and predictions for Week 16

Falcons vs. Giants: Staff picks and predictions for Sunday’s game in Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons will look for their eighth win of the year when they host the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite ending their four-game losing streak last week, the Falcons still felt it was time to make a change at quarterback.

The team benched veteran Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. as Atlanta attempts to stay alive in the NFC playoff hunt. Can Penix lead the team to a win against a struggling Giants team in Week 16?

Check out our Falcons Wire staff picks and predictions for Sunday’s game in Atlanta below:

Crissy Froyd (7-6):

Welcome to the dawn of the Michael Penix Jr. era. Will he deliver the results that the Falcons want? That much remains to be seen. But count on Penix to deliver against the struggling New York Giants, who present almost too many issues to count. Expect the New York passing game to continue to falter as Penix and company look to get Atlanta back on track in that same area. | Falcons 34, Giants 17

Deen Worley (7-6):

The Falcons’ quarterback change should breathe new life into the offense. I don’t expect it to be perfect by any means, but there should be a new shot of energy amongst the rest of the unit. Couple that with the playing against the lowly Giants who seem to be playing for a loss instead of a win, Penix should be able to get the victory in his debut. | Falcons 17, Giants 3

Matt Urben (7-6):

The Falcons finally stopped the bleeding and benched Kirk Cousins for Week 16. I think Michael Penix Jr. can do some things that Cousins isn’t capable of, including getting the ball to tight end Kyle Pitts. I think Atlanta will win convincingly and that Pitts will have a monster day (80-plus receiving yards). The Falcons get that elusive eighth win they’ve been searching for since 2017. | Falcons 19, Giants 12

Sunday’s game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Falcons are favored by 9.5 points over the Giants.

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Falcons vs Raiders: Best photos from ‘Monday Night Football’

Falcons vs Raiders: Looking at the best photos from Monday Night Football matchup in Las Vegas

The Atlanta Falcons are attempting to end their four-game losing streak against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15. As quarterback Kirk Cousins fights to keep his starting job, there’s a familiar face in at QB for the Raiders.

Former Falcons third-round pick Desmond Ridder is making his first start of the season against his former team. Can Cousins and the Falcons rebound or will Ridder get his revenge against Atlanta?

Check out the best photos from Monday’s prime-time showdown in Las Vegas below:

Falcons vs Raiders: Teams list inactives for Week 15

Falcons release inactives list for Monday Night’s game against the Raiders

The Atlanta Falcons have released their inactives list for Monday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Five players, including linebacker Rashaan Evans and rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, have been ruled out for Week 15.

Wide receiver Casey Washington and running back Carlos Washington are also inactive for tonight’s game. The Raiders have ruled out Aidan O’Connell, meaning former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder will get the start.

Falcons Week 15 inactives list:

  1. DL Brandon Dorlus
  2. WR Casey Washington
  3. LB Rashaan Evans
  4. OL Elijah Wilkinson
  5. OL Brandon Parker

Raiders Week 15 inactives list

  1. DE Maxx Crosby
  2. QB Aidan O’Connell
  3. DE Charles Snowden
  4. CB Sam Webb
  5. OL Andrus Peat

Kickoff for tonight’s game is at 8:30 p.m. ET inside Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. Despite losing four straight games, the Falcons are 4.5-point favorites over the Raiders.

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