Michael Penix Jr. delivered a commendable performance in his fourth career start as the Atlanta Falcons faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the Falcons ultimately suffering a narrow 23-20 defeat, Penix showcased his skills on the field, leading his team through critical moments during the game.
Penix concluded the game with a solid line, completing 27 of 42 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns, including a pivotal four-yard rushing touchdown that put the Falcons ahead 20-17 with just 2:17 remaining on the clock. It was a powerful turning point. He galvanized the team, inspiring the offense on a methodical 18-play, 91-yard touchdown drive that took more than eight minutes off the game clock.
Despite Penix’s terrific production, he did struggle, most notably on deeper passes. He finished with an eye-popping 0-for-7 on passes that went further than 15 yards in the air. According to RBSDM, he was fifth among all quarterbacks in dropback EPA—12.2 EPA. That astonishing number is courtesy of Next Gen Stats. His performance had him ranked seventh in the NFL in Quarterback Rating (QBR) at 83.7 according to ESPN.
The game played out in spectacular fashion in the final minutes. Penix’s fourth rushing touchdown recently earned the Falcons a tight 22-21 victory. The Buccaneers quickly answered back with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to rookie Emeka Egbuka, retaking the lead again. In a dramatic finish, Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo had an opportunity to send the game to overtime. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to convert the long 44-yard field goal attempt.
Penix acknowledged the difficulty of competing in the NFL, stating, “It’s tough to score. It’s tough to win in this league.” Though he said getting ready and installing a game plan hasn’t been an issue, keeping the momentum going from series to series continues to be the struggle.
“I can’t say enough positive things about him,” – Falcons head coach Raheem Morris
Penix’s poise and ability to make decisions while on the move impressed Coach Raheem Morris. And so his overall command Him going out there and not turning the football over, getting us to the right read, the right protections, throwing the ball in the right areas, making the right plays at the right times. I mean, obviously he was lights out but we were able to help that kid win games and win games for us,” Morris continued.
Veteran players recognized Penix’s leadership qualities. Left tackle Jake Matthews remarked, “What I’ve noticed from him is he’s just so calm and collected under pressure and just makes plays when his number is called. To have someone like that on your team is really special.”
Tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. expressed admiration for Penix’s athleticism during crucial plays, noting, “I think it was great just seeing him dive like that.”
If that sounds overwhelming, even Penix’s weaknesses were elite as he finished 18th in completion percentage over expected at negative -0.0%. His talent in building relationships with his teammates was evident. Notably, he delivered a pass in the flat to rookie running back Bijan Robinson, who turned it into a spectacular 50-yard touchdown.
As the season continues, Michael Penix Jr.’s game film will be requiring extra critical eyes by fans and defenders of the draft process. His ability to lead and learn from each game will be essential for Atlanta as they aim to improve their standing in a competitive league.
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