Penix shows 'resiliency' in return, revives Falcons' attack in Lambeau rout — SkimNews
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- Michael Penix Jr. returned from a torn left ACL (suffered Week 11 last November) and went 18-of-25 for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Atlanta's 35-14 win over Green Bay.
- Penix shook off a first-series interception to go 13-of-15 passing in the second and third quarters, including 5-of-5 on third downs, capping the half with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper with 59 seconds left.
- Drake London posted a career-high 194 receiving yards on 9 catches, serving as Penix's primary target.
- Bijan Robinson added 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries, giving Atlanta a balanced attack that had been missing.
- The Falcons had scored a league-low combined 16 points over their first two games without a single red zone snap, while Penix rehabbed and backups Tua Tagovailoa (oblique injury) and Cooper Rush (back spasms) failed to spark the offense.
- Coach Kevin Stefanski praised Penix's behind-the-scenes rehab, citing his extra workouts and treatments, while safety Jessie Bates III said Penix was 'dying to get back' and called his return proof of his 'resiliency.'
Why it matters: Atlanta's 1-2 record belied a roster that suddenly produced 194 receiving yards from Drake London and 194 rushing yards from Bijan Robinson the moment Penix returned — a stark contrast to the league-low 16 combined points and zero red zone snaps over the first two weeks without him. The Thursday rout suggests the early-season offensive collapse was a quarterback-health problem, not a personnel problem.
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