FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — There's a different buzz about the Atlanta Falcons' Week 16 matchup against the New York Giants after the team's decision to name Michael Penix Jr. starting quarterback.
The No. 8 pick in this year's NFL Draft, Penix Jr. will step into the role with three games remaining and the Falcons firmly in their playoff push. As with any rookie, there's a level of unknown that will accompany Penix's debut as a starter. However, there is also a degree of excitement as fans will get to see the quarterback who had more passing yards than any other in college football last season and finished second in the Heisman voting.
Our editorial team of Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden, Terrin Waack and Amna Subhan can't wait to see what the rookie can do at the helm of Atlanta's offense, so this week's question was an easy one:
What are you most excited to see in Michael Penix Jr.'s debut?
McELHANEY: How Penix unlocks this offense.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said Wednesday that the full playbook will be available to him and Penix. Though some of the wrinkles in play calling will change slightly based on Penix's mobility and arm talent, Robinson said the system itself won't change fundamentally and will look very similar to what we've come to see from this offense. So, the main difference will be how much more productive it can be.
I do foresee the Falcons relying heavily on the run game this Sunday for two reasons. 1) The Giants run defense is one of the worst in the league — if not the worst depending on what stat you're looking at. And 2) for the struggles the Falcons have had offensively recently, the run game has actually done some really good things about the Vikings, specifically, and the Raiders, too. A rookie quarterback's best friend is a dynamic run game. So, I wouldn't be surprised if the Falcons go to it a bit more early in the game just to get Penix settled in.
However, what I will be watching within this same vein is how Penix works out of any success the Falcons have on the ground. Can he operate the offense cleanly? Can he take care of the ball? Can he make the right decisions in the heat of the moment? And if he can do all of that, what will this offensive performance amount to? Getting a couple answers to these questions will be something I monitor Sunday.
McFADDEN: Honestly, I can't wait to see who Penix develops an early rapport with. Kirk Cousins has been working with the first-team offense in practice throughout the season, so there has been minimal time for Penix to throw to Atlanta's starting receivers in full-team sessions.
That has already begun to change.
To this point, Penix's favorite target in his limited action in both the regular season and preseason has been fellow-rookie Casey Washington. Washington is in the NFL's concussion protocol, however, and it was unlikely he'd assume a starting role alongside Penix anyways. So, there's a void for someone to fill in the go-to-guy department for Penix.
One of the true joys for me early in the year was watching Cousins develop an immediate and powerful connection with Darnell Mooney. Will Mooney keep that same kind of connection with Penix, or will he look towards Drake London, Kyle Pitts or another option in a pinch?
WAACK: The Falcons have been doing run-out introductions inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season, alternating each game between the offensive and defensive starters. The offense had its moment before the last home game – a Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 1 – which means defense should be up this Sunday against the Giants. That's a shame considering it means Penix won't have that individual moment of recognition before his first start.
Regardless, I am curious to see – or rather, hear – how Penix is received by the home crowd. From the moment he takes the field to his final play of the game, and everything in between, what will be the overall vibe? How many No. 9 jerseys will make their appearance? Signs of support? Chants of his name? Boos if things go awry?
Following the reaction on social media is one thing. Experiencing it in person is another.
There's really not all that much else to say here.
SUBHAN: I'm excited to see Michael Penix Jr. fully take the leadership role as starting quarterback. If you couldn't tell from Penix's press conferences, his demeanor is lowkey and quiet. Playing quarterback requires the opposite. Penix said when he's on the field a flip switches. That's a side of him that we haven't seen yet as a Falcon. College football fans, however, are no stranger to that part of him considering he was a 2023 Heisman runner-up and led Washington to the national championship.
From my interactions with Penix this week, I've already noticed a change. He seems to be walking taller and smiling more from my perspective. The shift is already palpable. It's apparent he's no longer the backup learning from a veteran, he seems eager to lead the team and be the guy. I'm especially intrigued because he isn't stepping up late in the season for a team no longer in contention. The Falcons are still in the playoff hunt and need to every win. That's a lot of pressure, but something tells me his calm demeanor off the field may be an asset there.
