Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will make his first career start against the New York Giants in Week 16 on Sunday. The Falcons have decided to bench struggling veteran Kirk Cousins. Penix Jr. should enjoy a fruitful debut versus a weak opponent.
It's rare to see a playoff-contending team bench their experienced quarterback in favor of a rookie, but Cousins' recent performances made this a realistic possibility. Showing the effects of last season's devastating Achilles injury, Cousins has thrown nine interceptions and just one touchdown in Atlanta's last five outings. The Falcons went 1-4 throughout that stretch.
Penix Jr. now enters the lineup for a 7-7 Falcons squad that trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by one victory for the NFC South division lead. It's worth noting Atlanta holds the tiebreaker advantage as a result of sweeping the regular-season series through victories in Weeks 5 and 8. There's a realistic chance Penix Jr. could position the Falcons atop the division after this weekend.
"I look up to Kirk. In my eyes, Kirk can do no wrong... He's special."
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) December 19, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. kept saying today how he approached this new-for-him role as a backup QB this year as a huge learning opportunity, and I thought what he has learned from Cousins was really interesting here. pic.twitter.com/CB401mpvgG
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is making a quarterback change at the appropriate time. The Giants qualify as a cupcake opponent entering Sunday on a nine-game losing streak. The Giants are playing for positioning to select Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft. It's worth noting the Giants have been stingy against the pass, allowing a seventh-lowest 200.4 passing yards per game. The follow-up games against the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers qualify as winnable.
The Falcons have shown quiet confidence in Penix Jr. since shocking everyone by selecting him eighth overall approximately six weeks after signing Cousins to a four-year contract worth $180 million. They'll now spend the offseason searching for creative manners to lessen the financial blow of severing ties with Cousins via trade or release.
Penix Jr. barely played throughout the preseason despite entering training camp as the clear No. 2 behind Cousins. The former Washington standout appeared in just one exhibition game, completing 9-of-16 passing attempts against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 for 104 yards. Penix Jr. has also appeared in two regular-season contests, playing mop-up duty in blowout losses.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is hoping that Penix Jr.'s presence will get his young playmakers trending back in the right direction. Cousins' form over Atlanta's previous five games has hamstrung the weapons around him. No. 1 receiver Drake London has surpassed 100 receiving yards just once this season and has one touchdown in his last five showings. In Cousins' most recent four starts, tight end Kyle Pitts has been limited to 28 or fewer receiving yards, including outputs of 14, zero, and nine yards.
Cousins has not delivered desirable results after signing a $180 million contract. The Falcons were widely criticized for drafting Penix Jr., but they're now relying on him to salvage their dwindling 2024 campaign. Look for Penix Jr. to take a commanding hold of Atlanta's starting gig, one he won't give back to Cousins.
