The Atlanta Falcons' season opener is days away as pressure on the organization continues to build. Hosting the Tampa Bay Bucs at home is a huge opportunity to gain early control of the NFC South and start to make a bit of a lead. Last season, the Falcons swept the Bucs in what were the best games of Kirk Cousins' 2024 season, which adds to all the more pressure that Michael Penix Jr. is facing ahead of the season opener.
Penix is in a unique position, already having high expectations from fans and watching the rest of his class reach impressive accomplishments. Bo Nix led the Denver Broncos to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, while Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders all the way to the NFC Championship Game.
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. Facing Instant Pressure to Take Control of NFC South
Caleb Williams and Drake Maye both started the majority of the 2024 season and have the advantage of showing flashes of what they could become. Meanwhile, Penix spent all but the final three games of the season warming the bench. When finally given a chance, the quarterback endured two heartbreaking overtime losses and beat a New York Giants team that had already let go of the rope.
Penix doesn't have a signature win yet, and that must change in Week 1 of the season. While no game in kickoff week is a genuine "must-win," it would be nice to see the young signal-caller set a divisional tone at home. It doesn't hurt either that Cousins was able to beat this team twice a season ago. If Penix struggles or doesn't have the offense consistently moving the ball, there is going to be a level of frustration and questions arising.
At the top will be whether or not this is going to be yet another swing-and-miss from an Atlanta front office that pushed out Matt Ryan only to fall flat on their face at the position for the next three years. For Penix, a win isn't required for the game to be considered a positive. Atlanta simply needs to see a huge day from Penix and the ability to go toe-to-toe with Baker Mayfield and a veteran Tampa offense.
There is a high level of expectations that have continually built over a hectic 2025 offseason, leaving the budding gunslinger under immense pressure. It has been talked about the plays and areas of the field that offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can now utilize now that Penix is the one under center. Something that isn't lost on the new starter.
Penix needs an early score to help settle in and be able to quiet an offseason full of questions about whether or not his draft class could truly have five viable starters. Falcons fans are ready to see him step onto the field and quiet the doubters once and for all, and it'll be up to him to prove their faith isn't for nothing.