Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was steady in his first NFL start and received a major boost from the defense as the Falcons routed the lowly Giants 34-7 on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“It was a really good team effort,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “I’m more pleased with the way the team played today. The way they respond. Really rallied behind the young man.”
The Falcons improved to 8-7, while the Giants dropped to 2-13.
Penix, who was victimized by some dropped passes, directed two touchdown and two field goal drives. The defense chipped in by returning two interceptions for touchdowns courtesy of safety Jessie Bates III and outside linebacker Matthew Judon.
“He went out and played almost flawless football and kept the game really clean,” Morris said. “Kept everything clean for us in order for us to get a win.”
Penix, who named the starter this week over veteran Kirk Cousins, completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards. He had an interception and finished with a passer rating of 73.4.
“Just go out there and execute,” Penix said. “That is what it’s going to come down to, execution.”
Penix didn’t let the burden of the team’s playoff hopes be too big of a moment for him.
“Yeah, it was a must-win game, but that’s not how we were looking at it,” Penix said. “We were looking at it as the next game. We have to win each and every game.”
Giants quarterback Drew Lock was 22 of 39 for 201 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 58.7.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson rushed 22 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Drake London both had five receptions for 82 and 59 yards respectively. London suffered a hamstring injury late and did not return.
“Just be dominant, attacking downhill,” Robinson said of the rushing attack goals. “Eliminate sideways runs. When we attack them downhill it’s hard to stop us, no matter what defense you are.”
New kicker Riley Patterson was 2 of 3 on his field goal attempts.
With the rookie quarterback at the controls, the Falcons got off to a slow start. But by halftime, thanks to a defensive touchdown, the Falcons held a 17-7 lead.
Penix drove the offense down to the Giants’ 25 on the opening drive, but things stalled. Patterson missed a 43-yard field goal attempt wide left.
The defense had a three-and-out to get things started, but the Falcons’ offense was forced to punt after picking up one first down.
The Giants, mostly running the ball and throwing screen passes, put together a nice-looking 14-play drive that covered 70 yards. Lock tossed a 2-yard pass to running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. on the first play of the second quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Patterson made a 52-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 10:36 left in the second quarter.
On the Giants’ next possession, Bates intercepted Lock and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. Patterson’s extra point made it 10-7 with 7:56 left in the second quarter.
“We were in a Cover-3 (zone),” Bates said. “It looks like a man. The tight end motioned over. Dee Alford did a heck of job being able to communicate and get us in the right call.”
Bates took a peek at Lock.
“Just being a ball-hawk, going and grabbing the ball out of the air,” Bates said. “But I would not have been able to do it without Dee making the right call or the defensive line getting after the quarterback.”
After forcing a punt, Robinson scored a 4-yard touchdown to make it 17-7.
The Falcons had another scoring opportunity after linebacker Kaden Elliss had a sack-strip that was recovered by Arnold Ebiketie at the Giants’ 32-yard line. The Falcons finished with three sacks and six quarterback hits.
The Falcons drove down to the Giants 7, but tight end Kyle Pitts bobbled a pass that was intercepted by Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott.
On the second play of the third quarter, Falcons defensive tackle Zach Harrison tipped a pass up. Judon intercepted the pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown.
“That was the first time in the league,” Judon said. “You know I’ve got a couple of fumble recoveries with some yardages, but I haven’t been able to get into the end zone and it was my first pick. All glory to God, but I’ve got to thank Zach.”
After forcing a punt, the Falcons’ offense went back on the move. Robinson capped a 12-play, 69-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to 31-7 with 7:14 left in the third quarter.
For Robinson, it was his ninth and 10th touchdown runs of the season. It’s the most rushing touchdowns by a Falcons player since Devonta Freeman had 11 back in 2016. Michael “The Burner” Turner has the team record with 17 rushing touchdowns back in 2008.
Patterson added a 37-yard field goal with 10:47 to play in the fourth quarter.
In a game with NFC playoff implications, the Falcons are set to play the Commanders (10-5) at 8:20 p.m. Sunday at Northwest Stadium.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
About the Author
