The Atlanta Falcons hoped things would be different with Michael Penix Jr. under center in their Week Three matchup against the Green Bay Packers. To start the game, it looked like Falcons fans would get more of the same: the offense looked sluggish, and Penix looked rusty, throwing an interception four plays in on a crossing route intended for Jahan Dotson and later being called for intentional grounding — an issue he had last season.
Fortunately for Atlanta, the defense kept the Packers’ offense in check, giving their offense a chance to settle in. With Penix Jr. back under center, the offense sustained drives, giving the defense a chance to defend the length of the field and pressure Packers quarterback Jordan Love. They generated seven pressures on Love’s first 14 dropbacks. Rookie linebacker Kendall Daniels continued to show flashes early in his young career, making impact plays. C.J. Henderson, seeing more of the field tonight with A.J. Terrell out, was very impressive, making multiple plays in coverage, and edge rusher Zach Harrison blocked a field goal late in the second quarter.
Green Bay did find some success creating mismatches by matching their faster receivers against Atlanta’s linebackers, but overall, the Falcons responded when needed, including a fourth-down stop near the end zone in the third quarter.
And as the defense held, Penix Jr. found his rhythm.
With the help of star running back Bijan Robinson being able to create a balanced offense, Penix Jr. completed thirteen of thirteen passes when he wasn’t pressured and reminded all watching of his great connection with wide receiver Drake London. That was especially evident during Atlanta’s two-minute drill before halftime, which ended with a touchdown pass to TE Austin Hooper, for a 17-7 lead.
Atlanta’s offense continued to roll in the second half, with its best run-pass balance of the season. Bijan Robinson was one of the biggest beneficiaries, exploding for 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Brian Robinson Jr. also did well in relief of Robinson, scoring his first touchdown of the season.
The offensive line also delivered its best performance of the season, creating rushing lanes, protecting Penix Jr., and reducing penalties.
In the passing offense, no one benefited more than London. Whenever there was a big play in the air, the ball seemed to go to London. Penix Jr. found him for a 68-yard game-changer down the seam as well as a 40-yard completion in the fourth quarter. London finished with 194 receiving yards. He and Robinson gave Atlanta a dominant performance on the ground. And in the air.
Robinson eventually put the nail in Green Bay’s coffin, walking into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night, capped by a two-point conversion to wide receiver Chris Blair to make it 35-14.
The core of the Atlanta Falcons defense is built on young players, so it was fitting that safety Xavier Watts intercepted Love’s pass to close out the game with under two minutes on the clock.
Thursday night football was definitely the Atlanta Falcons’ most complete game this season, and though the defense, the skill players, and the offensive linemen all contributed greatly, Penix’s competence at quarterback made a world of difference between the first two weeks and tonight.
