With Michael Penix Jr. suffering a bone bruise in his foot during the Falcons’ loss to the 49ers on Sunday Night Football, his status for this week’s matchup against the Dolphins is in question.
The good news is Atlanta has one of the most experienced backups in the game. The Falcons should feel confident that Kirk Cousins can step in and lead the team to a much-needed victory that gets them back in the playoff mix. However, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword.
Quarterback controversy hasn’t been much of a topic this season in Atlanta. There have been some murmurs from a small portion of the fan base, but most understand that Michael Penix Jr. is the guy. He’s had his fair share of ups and downs, but that’s to be expected from a first-year starter. Nobody should be seriously considering benching him in favor of a 40-year-old veteran who has never been among the league’s elite quarterbacks.
That said, Kirk Cousins has had his moments, even early last season when he was the Falcons’ starter. The Dolphins also present a golden opportunity for any quarterback to have a big day, as their defense is allowing over 360 yards and nearly 30 points per game.
So, imagine a scenario where Penix is on the sideline in street clothes and Cousins steps in to throw for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns in front of the home crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The offense looks better than it has all season. What questions do you think will be asked after the game?
To be fair, that’s the nature of media and fans — reacting to whatever happens week to week. There will be talk about Cousins’ role moving forward, but this is an open-and-shut case for the Falcons. There’s no scenario where they can go back to Cousins as the starter. This is Michael Penix Jr.’s team for the rest of the season, and likely next year as well. That’s what happens when you draft a quarterback eighth overall — you have to see it through.
If Kirk Cousins does have success against Miami, it should only be viewed as a positive. The Falcons desperately need a win against an inferior opponent, and it could also serve as the perfect opportunity for Cousins to audition for the rest of the league, potentially allowing Atlanta to recoup some draft capital in a trade down the line.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire