Tag: Falcons vs Giants

Raheem Morris praises Falcons rookie Michael Penix Jr. after win

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris praised Michael Penix Jr. after Sunday’s win over Giants

The Michael Penix Jr. era in Atlanta began with a win as the Falcons blew out the New York Giants, 34-7, on Sunday. The rookie was decisive and poised in his first NFL start, completing 67 percent of his passes for 202 yards.

“I worked all my life to get to this point,” Penix said after the game. “I’m super blessed and super thankful.”

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was rightfully impressed with his young quarterback following Sunday’s win, praising Penix during his postgame press conference.

“He went out and played almost flawless football and kept everything clean for us,” said Morris. “The kid was ready. We had a lot of time to develop him. The kid did a great job himself at developing and getting ready for that moment where it wasn’t too big, and I was really proud and pleased with the effort.”

Watch Morris and Penix’s postgame press conferences following Sunday’s win over the Giants, as shared by the team’s YouTube channel below.

Next up for the Falcons is a trip to Washington D.C. to take on Dan Quinn and the Commanders in Week 17. Both teams feature first-round quarterbacks but their experience levels vary.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is the favorite for offensive rookie of the year after his performance in Sunday’s win over the Eagles. Meanwhile, Penix will be making his second NFL start and first on the road.

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Falcons vs. Giants: Best photos from Week 16 matchup

Falcons vs. Giants: Best photos from Michael Penix Jr.’s first NFL start

The Atlanta Falcons are battling the New York Giants in Michael Penix Jr.’s first NFL start. After one half of football, the Falcons hold a 17-7 lead over the Giants. Penix has already passed for 110 yards to spark Atlanta’s offense.

Jessie Bates recorded a pick-six and Bijan Robinson rushed for a touchdown to put the Falcons in the driver’s seat entering the third quarter. Check out the best pictures from Penix’s debut below.

Falcons safety Jessie Bates records pick-six off Drew Lock

WATCH: Falcons safety Jessie Bates records pick-six off Giants QB Drew Lock

The Falcons offense has looked better than in recent weeks, but points have eluded them thus far. Finally, the defense stepped up and put points on the board in the second quarter. Safety Jessie Bates intercepted Giants quarterback Drew Lock and returned the ball 55 yards for a touchdown.

Bates is the only player this season with four or more interceptions and forced fumbles each. The Falcons took a 10-7 lead over the Giants after the pick-six. Watch the play below, as shared by the team’s social media account.

The Falcons hold a 10-7 lead over the Giants with under four minutes left in the second quarter.

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Falcons vs. Giants: Inactives list for Week 16 matchup

Falcons list inactives for Week 16 game vs. New York Giants

The Atlanta Falcons have released their inactives list for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Six players, including rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, have been ruled out for Week 16.

On the bright side, linebacker Lorenzo Carter and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge are active for today’s matchup in Atlanta.

Atlanta Falcons inactives list: Week 16

  1. OL Brandon Parker
  2. DL Brandon Dorlus
  3. WR Dylan Drummond
  4. WR Casey Washington
  5. OL Elijah Wilkinson
  6. RB Carlos Washington

New York Giants inactives list: Week 16

  1. CB Greg Stroman
  2. CB Dee Williams
  3. CB Divaad Wilson
  4. G Aaron Stinnie
  5. DL Casey Rogers
  6. QB Tim Boyle (3rd QB)

The Falcons and Giants are set to kick things off at 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. is set to make his first NFL start after replacing Kirk Cousins in the lineup. Check out the team’s updated depth chart for Week 16.

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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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