The Atlanta Falcons are back in the win column! After two dreadful games to start the year, Atlanta finally earned their first win of the season. The win coincided with Michael Penix Jr's return to action. Penix, who was sidelined for the first two games due to an injury, played incredibly well in his first game back.
New Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that he's proud of Penix Jr. for his efforts on the field. According to Will McFadden, Stefanski particularly admired the quarterback's tenacity after coming back from a long rehab effort. The head coach also credited the offensive line for doing their job well and keeping their quarterback upright for most of the game.
Penix started the year on the injury report. After an ACL tear ended his 2025 season prematurely, the Falcons quarterback needed more time before he was able to start. Veteran Tua Tagovailoa was named as the starter for Week 1, but Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury and was unable to play in the season opener. That forced the Falcons to start Cooper Rush for both Weeks 1 and 2.
Rush predictably struggled in his first two games, and he was also knocked out of their Week 2 game with an injury. Rookie Jack Strand took his place, and he was also ineffective. Thankfully for the Falcons, both Tagovailoa and Penix were cleared to play before Week 3. The team decided to go with Penix, who was the starter last season for Atlanta, as the starter.
Penix's first game of the 2026 season went about as well as you'd want from a quarterback in the NFL. He completed 18 of his 25 passes for 256 yards. He did throw one interception, but he also had a touchdown of his own. Atlanta heavily relied on Bijan Robinson's 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns to carry them to victory.
The Falcons will now have a longer break than usual before their Week 4 clash against division rivals New Orleans Saints.