Falcons safety Jessie Bates wasn’t exaggerating when he said they’re a different team with Michael Penix.
After starting the season 0-2, the Falcons are 2-0 since Penix became the starter in Week 3. But even that doesn’t fully display how different things have been with Penix.
On average, NFL teams are scoring 23.1 points per game this season. If we considered the Falcons two different teams, with Penix and without him, the version with Penix would rank first in the NFL with an average of 40.0 points per game — more than a touchdown better than the No. 1, the Bills, who average 31.8 points per game. Meanwhile, the version of the Falcons without Penix averaged 8.0 points per game. That ranks dead last, more than a field goal worse than the No. 32 Dolphins, who are averaging 11.5 points per game.
Among the 42 quarterbacks who have thrown at least 15 passes this season, Penix ranks fifth with a 113.1 passer rating. The two Falcons quarterbacks who played before Penix are dead last: Rush ranks 41st with a 42.5 passer rating, and Jack Strand ranks 42nd with a 35.1 passer rating.
How much better is Penix at avoiding pressure than Rush and Strand? Rush was sacked five times while throwing 39 passes. Strand was sacked twice while throwing 15 passes. Penix has been sacked only once while throwing 45 passes, and Penix played most of the second game after the Falcons lost starting left tackle Jake Matthews to an injury.
The effect of Penix on his teammates is notable. In two games with Penix, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns. In two games without Penix, Robinson rushed for 155 yards and no touchdowns. Backup running back Brian Robinson has 24 carries for 112 yards and four touchdowns with Penix. He had 20 carries for 82 yards and no touchdowns without Penix.
The Falcons’ top receiver, Drake London, has 14 catches for 290 yards in two games with Penix. London had six catches for 80 yards in two games without Penix.
That stats are a remarkable display of just how well Penix is playing — and just how poorly Rush and Strand played. With a different quarterback, the Falcons are a completely different team.