The Atlanta Falcons made a change at quarterback, moving from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr. with one goal in mind, making the playoffs. Sitting at 7-7, the Falcons are on the outside of the NFC playoff picture looking in and will need to win out to have any shot of making the postseason.
That path isn’t necessarily impossible, with a fairly easy schedule with the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers ahead. If Penix can lead the Falcons to the playoffs, he’ll be in a class of his own.
According to CBS Sports’ Doug Clawson, no first-round quarterback since 1970 has made their first career start in Week 16 or later with a playoff spot on the line, giving Penix a chance to rewrite history.
Atlanta has the weapons necessary for Penix to find success right away, with a strong offensive line and a supporting cast full of productive playmakers like wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, running back Bijan Robinson, and tight end Kyle Pitts.
Penix’s arm talent and ability to breathe life into one of the NFL’s most stagnant offenses could help the Falcons run the table to close out the regular season, but to reach the playoffs, they might also need a little help. The easiest path to making the playoffs would be by winning the NFC South, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who hold a one-game lead in the division, have a similarly easy schedule.
Tampa Bay will close out the regular season with the Dallas Cowboys, Panthers, and New Orleans Saints, and is favored in all three contests. If Penix can win his first start against the Giants, that will put a lot of pressure on him in Week 17 against the Washington Commanders.
At 9-5 and led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, who beat out Penix for the Heisman Trophy in 2023, the two teams are set to meet in primetime on Sunday Night Football. However, the Commanders will meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, and although they have already locked up the NFC East, the Eagles have a chance at the No. 1 seed in the NFC and will be looking to make a push to secure that against Daniels’ team.
Everything seems to be leading up to a riveting matchup between Daniels and Penix next Sunday, and the former Husky star will have a chance to exact revenge on the LSU quarterback for beating him out for the Heisman.
[lawrence-related id=9094,9067,9002]