Three days before Christmas, the Atlanta Falcons decided to give their fan base an early gift. Matthew Judon raised the ball over his head at about the 10-yard line and continued to rumble his way into the end zone. The interception, 26-yard return, and score made the score 24-7 in favor of the Atlanta Falcons at the very beginning of the third quarter. The New York Giants took that blow and never got up off of the canvas. Fight over and the Falcons, now 8-7 overall, playoff hopes continue following Tampa’s 26-24 loss at Dallas.
The Atlanta Falcons (8-7 overall, tied for first in NFC South with Tampa, defeated the New York Giants 34-7 to keep their playoff hopes alive, while also moving back above .500. The story on Sunday was less about Penix Jr.’s debut as a starter and more about what this team could have done if the defense looked this good during that recent four-game losing streak.
After the game Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he didn’t get the opportunity to give out a game ball, but he might not just give it to any one player. “I should give it to the whole team,” he said.
Atlanta Falcons rookie starting quarterback Michael Penix, Jr.’s stat line before Sunday was a paltry 3-5 for 38 yards. Penix, Jr. played in two games before Sunday, both in losses to Seattle and on the road in Denver. His first pass attempt as a starter was incomplete, but his first third down attempt as a starter was good for a first down. Penix found Drake London downfield on a crossing route. He would find Ray-Ray McCloud III on a screen a few plays later, which put the Falcons in field goal position. Penix went 2-5 for 27 yards during the possession. Falcons kicker Riley Patterson, who was replacing injured starter YounghoeKoo, would miss the ensuing field goal. Penix finished the first half 9-16 for 110 yards, an interception, and without his first career touchdown pass. He finished his first career start with 200 yards passing, and most importantly a victory…