FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The plan was never for Michael Penix Jr. to make his first road start in an electric environment for a must-win game. But this is the NFL and plans rarely unfold the way they are supposed to.
In those moments, people must adapt and overcome. Penix has demonstrated the right mixture of qualities to do just that.
"The biggest thing for Penix is just the poise that he's shown in these games, you know," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "Going out there [in his] first start, find a way of getting a win. In a big-time game on Sunday Night Football, with a playoff-like atmosphere, having the poise to go out there and play and finish and do the things that he did in that game."
The word "poise" is one that comes up frequently when talking with players and coaches about the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Penix created a mini moment during his first press conference as Atlanta's starter because of his calm demeanor, and that attitude has surfaced in his first two professional starts.
No situation highlighted this more than the closing seconds of the fourth quarter in Washington. With just over two minutes remaining, and trailing 24-17, the Falcons had a disastrous situation unfold. On first-and-goal from the 5-yard line, the ball sailed over the head of running back Bijan Robinson, who was prepared to take a direct snap. He scrambled to recover the ball but the result was a 19-yard loss.
On the other side of the two-minute warning, Atlanta stared down a second-and-goal from the 26-yard line. That's a tall task for a rookie quarterback, but Penix was ready for the moment.
"I've been in that spot before. I just knew that, you know, no matter what happens, you've got to play the next play," Penix said. "So, when you see the ball go over Bijan's head, you can have two mindsets. You can be like, dang, this messes us up, or you can go out and be like, okay, you've still got to make a play, and that's what we did."
Penix connected with Drake London for a 13-yard gain on second down, which ultimately set up a critical fourth down. With the game on the line, Penix didn't blink. He fired a missile into the hands of Kyle Pitts for his first NFL touchdown that tied the game with 1:19 remaining in the game.
"Standing in the pocket, just, you know, keeping his poise," Pitts said of Penix on that play. "He's a true leader and I'm starting to see it, and it's coming at him more and more each week."
Although the Falcons lost to the Commanders in overtime, it was a proof of concept for what Penix provides Atlanta at the quarterback position. His even-keeled nature and elite arm talent were on display in the biggest moments.
There are still things to work on, of course, such as the chemistry with the weapons at his disposal. But that will come with more time on task.
"Just trying to build that chemistry so that we can be on the same page, and I'm not sailing the ball over their heads whenever they're open," Penix said.
The rookie's starting debut came earlier than anticipated, but he's handled it all the way the team had hoped. With one final game remaining in the regular season, there's still an opportunity for Atlanta to reach the postseason.
Even if that goal doesn't come to fruition this year, Penix's performance in the playoff-type atmosphere he faced in Washington was a great first impression for what he can do when the lights are brightest.
"Having a position to be put in a winning moment and absolutely threw the ball he threw to Kyle Pitts, and having a chance to go out there and win a football game when it's at the end of the game," Morris said. "Just all of those things that you learn from a guy getting out there and playing in real football during the season is different. And like I said, a playoff-like environment. You can't get those in the practice field. You can simulate those things. You can try to do your best, but you can't get that."
