The first two weeks of this season were painful to watch. I was ready to throw my remote at the TV. The Falcons offense was a disaster, scoring only 16 total points in those opening games. It was the lowest production in the entire NFL. But things changed the second Michael Penix Jr. stepped back onto the field.
The difference is night and day. Since his return from ACL surgery, the team has exploded. According to ESPN, the Falcons have put up 80 points over their last two wins. They even became the first team ever to win back-to-back road primetime games by at least 20 points, per ESPN Research. That is some serious stuff.
The Penix Effect on the Ground Game
We all knew Penix could throw, but his presence changes how the whole line plays. The running game is finally breathing again. Atlanta has cleared the 200-yard rushing mark in each of the last two weeks. It is not just about the yards, though. The scoring is there too. On Monday, the team found the end zone five times with their legs.
Bijan Robinson is playing like a superstar. He had 145 yards and two scores on 19 carries against New Orleans. He also went out with a massive 59-yard touchdown run.
Big Names and Big Stats
The stats for the recent wins are wild. Against Green Bay, the Falcons racked up 498 yards of total offense. Drake London was a monster with nine catches for 194 yards. Even with the focus on the run, the passing game is clicking. On Monday, Penix threw for 223 yards and a score while completing 15 of 20 passes, avoiding interceptions.
It isn’t all perfect, though. There are still questions about the big money players. Yahoo Sports noted that tight end Kyle Pitts has struggled, recording only two catches for 19 yards in the first half against the Saints. A three-year, $54 million extension that includes $36 million in guarantees covers his current playing status. Even Micah Parsons was shouting “Free Kyle Pitts!!” on X during the game because the involvement just isn’t there.
We are moving past the era of Cooper Rush and bad starts. The team is heading into Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens with real momentum. Brian Robinson Jr. said of Penix, “He’s been phenomenal, man.” He added that the quarterback is focused and not letting his past injuries get in the way of his goals.
