The Atlanta Falcons dropped the season opener 23-20 in typical heartbreaking fashion. Only Atlanta fans understand the frustration of a team that always finds a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. However, the game wasn't without its positives, with the performance of Michael Penix Jr. being at the top of this list. Penix finished the day 27/42 for 298 passing yards, scoring a touchdown on the ground and through the air.
Atlanta's young signal-caller added 21 rushing yards as well, falling only three yards behind the team's leading rusher. Making the performance all the more impressive is the fact that neither Tyler Allgeier nor Bijan Robinson could get going in the ground game. While Robinson contributed 100 receiving yards, the value as a rusher was extremely limited. With this in mind, all of the pressure to create offense was on the quarterback.
Falcons Given Reason to Believe in Bright Future Built Around Michael Penix Jr.
There are still pieces of Penix's game that need improvement with touch on the football and willingness to run on the defense a bit earlier, topping the list. However, the lasting takeaway is how incredibly poised the quarterback is in the game's biggest moments. When there was every reason to panic, Penix found a way to convert a 4th down on the ground and score a rushing touchdown moments later. Whatever it takes to give the Falcons a chance to win is what the quarterback is going to bring.
Despite being 1-3 in his first four starts, context must be added to understand the late-game heroics. In back-to-back games last season, the Falcons lost in overtime, never giving the rookie a chance to touch the football. Fast forward to Week 1, and a similar story played out with Koo missing a layup of a field goal moments after a frenzied drive pushed Atlanta within range.
This was accomplished without the benefit of Darnell Mooney, who missed Week 1, or Drake London, who was forced out after suffering an injury on the drive before. With a cast of questionable targets, the Falcons still moved the ball down the field and were given a chance to score late to force what would've been the third overtime in only four starts for Penix.
As frustrating as this loss was, it still served as an example of why the Falcons believe they have such a bright future. All of the needed throws can be made with Penix's arm, allowing the offense to quickly push the ball down the field or call any route in the playbook, no matter the situation. With this in mind, Atlanta fans should be feeling great about the quarterback situation while questions remain at nearly every other position.
Namely, the Falcons' pass rush continues to underwhelm, and the franchise now has a glaring concern at kicker. As great as Penix has looked, the Washington product is yet to put everything together for a full game. This is the next step for the new face of Atlanta's franchise.