FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons needed a response after being shutout by the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. They needed to show offensive life, that their perceived expectations about their own unit matched what they were able to do on the field of play.
When Michael Penix Jr. woke up Sunday morning he knew that to be true. As he brushed his teeth, he contemplated that need. Driving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium that morning to face the Washington Commanders, perhaps he manifested it through his prayers. Because what came to pass hours later was right in line with what the Falcons expect their offensive identity to be. It was the sign of life they needed. Confirmation that they can be a high-powered, high-scoring unit.
“It showed what this team is really about,” Penix said postgame.
Obviously, Penix continued, after the team’s performance last weekend in North Carolina, there were a lot of people with a lot of things to say about this unit. Head coach Raheem Morris said those criticisms are fair. When you lose like that, he said Wednesday, stones can be thrown. And until the Falcons’ offense showed what they could do, the bruises would deepen.
Their response, though, was twofold: Organizationally and within action.
The Falcons made the decision earlier in the week to move offensive coordinator Zac Robinson down from the coaches’ box to the field to call plays. It was a move Penix said was “good for (the Falcons) to do.”
“It gave us confidence,” Penix said. “To be able to come over to the sideline and be able to hear from him exactly the way he’s seeing it, the way he wants to set us up with the plays on the next drive, it was awesome.”
Penix looked more like his old self for — arguably — the first time in 2025. He was hitting receivers deep downfield, helping himself to amassing 300 passing yards on the day. He had eight passing plays of over 15-plus yards. The last time he did that? Against Washington and Carolina… last season.
Morris gave Penix a game ball in the aftermath of the 34-27 win. He said he did so because of the scrutiny Penix had endured throughout the week after his performance against the Panthers. It was one Morris, and Penix himself, agreed was not the young quarterback’s day.
This Sunday, however, was a night-and-day difference.