The Michael Penix Jr. whom fans saw last Sunday in his first NFL regular-season start was not the one who arrived here last April as the No. 8 pick in the draft. What Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney saw from Penix after the draft was a quarterback too eager to let go of the ball,

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris benched starting quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. last week, and Penix ultimately

Michael Penix Jr. earned a blowout win in his first career start as two pick-sixes from the Falcons defense and steady play from the rookie QB led to a 34-7 victory. Head coach Raheem Morris described the outing as "almost flawless football".