The Atlanta Falcons need a win and some help from the New Orleans Saints to get into the playoffs. If the Michael Penix Jr.-led Falcons can beat the Carolina Panthers and the Saints can upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta will be crowned the NFC South division champions.
Penix started the game out hot with an impressive 24-yard completion to wide receiver Khaderel Hodge but hasn’t gotten much help from his pass catchers, who have dropped a handful of well-placed throws in the first half.
Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake’s unit wasn’t much help in the first either as the lowly Panthers carved it up for 186 yards and 17 points with 2:48 remaining in the second quarter. Trailing 10-3, Penix led the Falcons on a 10-play, 70-yard drive and took things into his own hands to finish it off.
The Falcons have struggled to convert in the red zone around Penix since he took over as the starter, but on third and goal from the five-yard line, the former Washington Huskies star took the snap and as the pocket collapsed, escaped and dove for the pylon to cap off the drive with a score, celebrating with his signature bow and arrow move.