Michael Penix Jr.’s return from an ACL injury has reshaped the Atlanta Falcons’ offense, with the quarterback leading a 45-24 road win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night and helping the club post consecutive 20-point victories.
What changed for the franchise
Atlanta struggled through its first two games with Cooper Rush at quarterback, averaging an NFL-low 8.0 points and 262 yards per game while committing seven turnovers. Since Penix took over, the Falcons have produced 40 points and 459 yards per outing, with only one giveaway.
The Saints game offered the clearest indication of the turnaround. Atlanta never punted, and five of its last six possessions before kneel-down situations ended in touchdowns. Penix consistently put the offense in favorable calls, delivered accurate throws in key down-and-distance situations and gave the Falcons the vertical passing threat that had been missing early in the season.
“We want to show everybody what we are capable of,” safety Jessie Bates said. “The first two weeks did not meet our standard. With Penix playing like that, we are a different team. We are excited to keep it going.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees had not rushed Penix back for the opener as he recovered from another ACL tear. Since returning healthy, Penix has fit comfortably into an offense using more snaps from under center and heavier play-action concepts.
The running game has also supplied balance. Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson helped account for five rushing touchdowns as Atlanta overwhelmed New Orleans. But Penix’s ability to attack defenses through the air has turned the unit from one of the league’s least productive groups into an explosive offense.
“He has been phenomenal,” Brian Robinson said. “There is not much more to say about how he has played. I respect his attitude. He comes onto the field focused and ready, and he has not let what happened to him before get in the way of what he wants to accomplish.”
The Falcons had not won back-to-back games by at least 20 points since Weeks 14 and 15 of the 2016 season, when Atlanta reached Super Bowl LI behind the NFL’s highest-scoring offense. The current streak is also the first time in franchise history that the Falcons have won two straight road games by 20 or more points.
Atlanta’s next three opponents will provide a more demanding test: the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers are next on the schedule. The Falcons will try to prove their offensive revival under Penix can carry over against a tougher stretch of opponents.
