What the Falcons had to say after the 34-7 win over the Giants

On the defense: “All the credit to defense for what they are doing, their progress and what it’s been these past weeks. Two touchdowns for those on defense, that’s a win for us. Credit to everybody on the defense. Jessie (Bates III) and (Matthew) Judon for getting into the end zone. Those guys are the best at their position in the league. It’s good to see them get in there.”

On Penix in the huddle: “He was cool, calm and collected. He has one voice. We all understand him real clear. He’s always like, let’s go. Let’s get ready. Let’s go dominate.”

On what he wanted to see from Penix in a game: “Exactly what he did today. I think he looked super well for him. It was his first game. People put expectations on him, but he still is a young player. This is his rookie year. So, having the first start, everybody has to get comfortable. That’s what he did and he started (getting comfortable) as the game was going on. He is showing progress every single day. But it was good to be out there to see him and feel him. For him to know what he has to do.”

On Penix in the playoff race: “He carries himself super well…. he has experience as a quarterback. He has things that he does well. But I think with him and Kirk and having Kirk for this period of time. It definitely has helped him out a lot. I could tell in the game today because he was as chill as possible especially in moments when we need him to alive. He was cool and calm. He went out there and just delivered. Seeing that from him is always a good thing. Obviously, it is going to grow from this week on.”

On the key to rushing attack: “Just be dominant, attacking downhill. Eliminate sideways runs. When we attack them downhill it’s hard to stop us no matter what defense you are. I felt that we had a plan and the (offensive) line had a plan. I think that’s a good defense for what they do. I know they held Derrick Henry last week to some yards.”

JAKE MATTHEWS, left tackle

On the win: “This was a confidence booster. We have a rookie quarterback going and it’s his first start. It was a bit of an unknown (about) what was going to happen. For us to go out there and get a big win like this, run the ball, protect and throw it the way we did today, was a lot of positives.”

On the playoff race: “I think we did a good job. We stayed on track. We ran the ball well. We threw it when we needed to. We had the play-pass going, all that kind of stuff. I think Michael did a really good job. I didn’t feel like it was his first start out there today.”

On Penix’s command of the huddle: “Very good. Very composed. He’s keeps his wits about him. He’s very collected out there. Came across as not a rookie, a very experienced type of feel. That was really good to see in his first start.

ARNOLD EBIKETIE, outside linebacker

On his pass rush: “I feel like I’m still leaving some meat on the bone out there. I feel good where I’m at. Just trying to stay as consistent as possible.”

On what’s been working for him: “I’m just trying not to over think. Just go out there and play fast. I feel like the game plan that we have in unbelievable. Just try to go out there and be the best version of myself as possible.”

On the sack surge: “We are all of the same page now. All four, five guys, no matter how many people. We are on the same page and have a common goal. I think that’s why we’ve been able to collect a few sacks.”

On Penix’s first start: “It was fun seeing it. When you first start as a rookie. We knew we were going to need to have his back. We were just all in. All as a team.

RUKE ORHORHORO, defensive tackle

On the win: “It was really big. We are in that playoff hunt, so every game matters. We have to play every game like it’s as playoff game. It was Mike’s first game. So, we had to have his back out there. He played well and we got the job done.”

On the two pick-sixes: “Yeah, that was kind of crazy, Judon’s pick-six was my favorite though. It’s always good to see a (defensive) lineman get in the box (end zone).”

On getting ready for the Commanders: “There is a lot of stuff on tape that we’ve got to fix. Get better from that. Enjoy Christmas with our families. Then getting to the weekend, we have to go back to work on Sunday.”

A.J. TERRELL, cornerback

On the win: “It was a big game. We are in the part of the season where every game counts. We are just trying to take it one game at a time. Defensively, just playing a team game, team ball. We put it on tape today.”

On having a pass rush: “That helps. They does wonders. That’s something all back-ends, all DBs, the back seven love when the quarterback can’t get the ball off. Or, can’t get a great looks so that we can make plays on the back end. It all works hand in hand with the coverage on the back end and helping the (defensive) line do their work.”

On the covering Malik Nabers: “Yeah, I had him for most of the day. He’s a good receiver. He’s somebody that we had to watch film and study. Make sure that we limit him as much as possible because he makes their offense come alive. But it was just a task where you want to go out and play your best game and not allow him to make big plays.”

JESSIE BATES III, safety

On Matthew Judon: “Yeah, he’s got a lot of criticism. He’s been the same guys since he walked in this building. To see him to go work every single day, I’m just excited for him…. our defense. To see the excitement and what it does to our team and our defense is playing at that level.”

On the pass rush: “After the bye, our meeting go so much better. We just got so much more detailed in our rush plans, coverages, everything. I think that’s what it is. That’s what it’s all around. Just always having that constant coach-state of mind. Always trying to get better.”

On the pick-six interception: “I dropped the first one. I think it went straight through my hands. Then on the pick-six. We were in a Cover-3 (zone). It looks like a man. The tight end motioned over. Dee Alford did a heck of game being able to communicate and get us in the right call. With them being in a tight bunch like that it made us put vision on the quarterback. I think our (defensive) line got some pressure as well. I think just being a ball-hawk, going and grabbing the ball out of the air. But I would not have been able to do without Dee making the right call or the defensive line getting after the quarterback. It’s a great feeling for sure.”

MATTHEW JUDON, outside linebacker

On his touchdown: “That was the first time in the league. 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. On defense, it’s all one of 11. He did his part. Luckily, I was there. I made moves, I made four or five people fall and then I got into the end zone.”

On the shift of the defense getting better: “Honestly, I’m going to give credit to the interior line. Grady, D.O. (David Onyemata), Eddie Goldman, Zach and whoever they put in there. They are stopping the run. They are causing havoc. We are making teams one dimensional and that helps when they just can’t run and pass. Then our (defensive) backs covering down the field. AK (Arnold Ebiketie comes alive. Kaden (Elliss) continues to have an outstanding year rushing the passer. Everybody is just coming along. That’s kind of what you want in December. We’ve got a chance. It’s on us. We’ve got to go out there and continue to improve, continue to make plays.”

On the emphasis on takeaways: We always run our turnover circuits. The batted ball. The tip balls. The chase downs and punch outs. You see guys on tape consistently do it.”

On the defense: “When you are scoring on defense, you’re getting sacks, you’re getting pressures and stuff, really they had a couple of screens that hit us, but other than that, there plays weren’t really working. I think on the second and third quarter, we had like four three-and-outs where they just had to punt us the ball back. That is good when you can get your rookie quarterbacks some reps.”

On the playoffs: “It’s matters what you do. We have a chance. We have an opportunity. So, it really matters what we do now. We have to tighten the screws. We can’t let any detail go slack. They remember what you do in December.”

On getting some results: “That’s just showing up to work. Y’all see us every day when y’all come in. We put the pads on. We do what we have to do. We lift. We run. We do a lot of extra stuff. We are working on the 10, 80s. We are working hard. When it pays out, it feels good.”

On the celebration: “Shout out to my teammates. Obviously, I’m not having the year rushing the pass there I’m used to having, but they never get down on me. They don’t look down on me. Shout out to my team. They are always saying, we are going to do it with you. So, I’m just one of 11 of the defense. Everybody is stepping up right now.”

On the his touchdown: “It was just give and take in this game. You never know where the ball is going to (bounce) in this game. You never know when it’s going to come your way. You just have to continue to pursuit. With that, I was on a pass rush. I took an inside move instead of an outside move. It was a quick throw. Zach got his hands on the ball and it just landed to me. I’m really grateful. I keep thanking him the whole time until he left.”

On the ball: “Sometimes you see it the whole time, but I kind of looked up and it fell right there. All the glory to God…. (the next thing he saw) end zone. I tunneled in.”

DARNELL MOONEY, wide receiver

On QB Michael Penix Jr.’s play today: ”He played well, I mean, he knew where he wanted to go with the ball. He took care of the ball and played well, played smooth. I have to look at the film to see how he looked in the back field, but from my perspective, he played well.”

On any concern he had about QB Michael Penix Jr. starting: ”There was never anything that he didn’t have. I mean, he could throw it, just from watching the second team go, he would put some zip on the ball and I’m like, ‘Oh he got arm on it.’ But, I mean, the game is a part of, you know, how you manage the game, especially in the critical situations, and it’s how you dial those things up. And I think he did well with that as well.”

On his chemistry with QB Michael Penix Jr.: ”I mean, it’s a lot of work putting in this week, a lot of work. After practice, during practice when we’re not going on offense. So, a lot of things we still have to, you know, get better at, but I would say it looked good today.”