Penix’s dramatic touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts couldn’t save the Falcons from falling to 8-8 and out of the NFC South lead with an OT loss to the Commanders.

With the game on the line, Penix stood tall. It didn’t lead to a win, but it’s a source of hope for the Falcons.

Even in defeat, one positive takeaway for the Atlanta Falcons in their Sunday Night Football loss to the Washington Commanders was Michael Penix Jr.'s willingness to get tight end Kyle Pitts involved in the passing game.

When Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr. just weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive franchise-cornerstone deal, the disbelief and derision rained down from all corners of the NFL world — fans, media,

The Falcons have Penix set up well with an excellent run game led by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, good players to throw to like Drake London and Darnell Mooney (and maybe even Kyle Pitts if he can finally put it all together) and a sound offensive line to keep him upright. That will matter as Penix finds himself as an NFL quarterback.

The Falcons surprisingly selected Penix with the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. The pick wasn't a surprise because of Penix's résumé so much as the team's $180 million signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier in the offseason. After a rough 14 games to begin his Falcons career, Atlanta benched Cousins for Penix.

Penix, the former Washington Huskies standout, was named the Falcons starter in Week 16, replacing veteran Kirk Cousins, who struggled for more than a month. Penix was picked No.