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4 hours ago
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So much of the focus Monday night was on bad losses for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders that something quite significant flew under the radar.
Atlanta Falcons second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had just put together the biggest win of his young career. And he's quickly looking worthy of the investment the Falcons made in him.
Consider the 2024 NFL Draft, when the Falcons took Penix No. 8 overall out of Washington less than two months after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.
Everyone was confused. How could they give Cousins so much money and then immediately draft a rookie QB?
But it was clear from the beginning that the Falcons believed in Penix's talent. They couldn't pass up the quarterback opportunity. They'd figure the rest out later.
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Cousins essentially played himself to the bench by the end of 2024, and this is Penix's team in an unquestioned way now in 2025.
The Falcons are 3-2 after upsetting the Bills on Monday Night Football, and they'd be 4-1 if Younghoe Koo had made his game-winning field goal attempt in Week 1 after a spunky comeback led by Penix.
On MNF, Penix outplayed Allen, throwing for 250 yards (20-for-32) and a touchdown while the reigning MVP was intercepted twice.
Penix was without two of his top three receivers, but it was no problem. He had Drake London and targeted him early and often, and late and often, too.
This looked like the QB who Atlanta opted to take even after just dishing out so much money. This looked like the guy who can be the face of a franchise.
It was a gutsy decision to draft Penix, and while there still could be some bumps in the road ahead, it looks like a great call right about now.
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