PENIX TO MAKE FIRST START

The Falcons made news Tuesday night when they announced that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was being benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta raised some eyebrows during the offseason when they selected the quarterback out of Washington with the eighth overall pick in the draft less than two months after signing Cousins to a large, multi-year contract. In 14 games this year, Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a league-high 16 interceptions, which paved the way for head coach Raheem Morris to make the decision to turn to the rookie.

After beginning his college career at Indiana, Penix spent his final two years at Washington, where he put together his two best seasons. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound lefty threw for 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022, before following that up with 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year. His passing yards in his final season led the nation and helped him earn a runner-up finish in the Heisman Trophy voting, along with the Maxwell Award, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding player, and a selection as first-team All-American.

“He’s a very productive player,” Daboll said Monday about his thoughts on the young quarterback heading into this year’s draft. “He could throw it in all three levels. Very accurate. Obviously, had a lot of good players around him. But I thought he really gave those guys chances down the field. Intermediate throws, threw the ball effortlessly. Was athletic. I wouldn’t say they used him on a lot of runs, more of a drop-back, play-action guy. But fairly athletic enough to do a variety of things. Met with him, had a good meeting. Smart. Instinctive. I thought he had a pretty good pro day, I was at his pro day. So, I thought he was a good prospect.”

While he isn’t necessarily a big rushing threat, Penix is able to move around the pocket much better than the veteran quarterback at this point in his career. More importantly, the rookie excelled with throwing the deep ball at Washington. One of Penix’s biggest attributes heading into the NFL Draft was his ability to accurately throw the ball down the field. With the defense struggling in this area throughout the season, the Giants will have to keep an eye out for these deep shots down the field on Sunday, especially when the Falcons use play action. While at Washington, Penix put up some of his strongest numbers when using play action, which the Falcons will likely look to replicate with the rookie quarterback.

“He can sling it,” Bowen added. “I think you go back and watch the accuracy down the field, throwing the ball down the field. He puts it in places receivers can catch it. We’re going to have to do a good job making sure we defend the deep part of the field because I think he’s going to take his chances throwing it, launching it. But he’s got a really strong arm, good accuracy and I would say, specifically, on the deep ball.”

McFADDEN PLAYING AT HIGH LEVEL

With Bobby Okereke sidelined for the last two games, Micah McFadden has stepped up in a big way in the middle of the Giants’ defense. One week after he racked up 11 total tackles, including a career-high five tackles for loss, the third-year linebacker finished yet again with 11 total tackles while adding his third sack of the season. McFadden played a big role in slowing down Alvin Kamara and the Saints’ run game in Week 14, and while the Ravens had more success on the ground this past weekend, McFadden did help contain Derrick Henry to 67 total yards.

McFadden has gotten better each season he’s been in the NFL. He recorded 101 total tackles (63 solo), 12 tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and one sack across 16 games last season. Through his first 13 games of the 2024 campaign (he missed the season opener), McFadden has already set a new career-best with 102 total tackles (57 solo) to go with eight tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and a career-high three sacks. He will have his hands full again this week with yet another elite running back on deck. Bijan Robinson had a season-high 125 yards on 22 carries in the Falcons’ Monday night victory over the Raiders. Robinson has 1,102 yards on the ground through 14 games, already beating his rushing total from last year.

BELTON GETS EXTENDED LOOK

With Tyler Nubin placed on injured reserve, Dane Belton saw his second extended action of the season against the Ravens. Belton played 100 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, which marked only the second time this year he’s played every snap. Not only did he play a lot, but Belton was all over the field against Baltimore. The third-year safety registered a team-high 15 total tackles, nine more than he’s had in any other game in his young NFL career. Belton added his first sack of the season along with a pass breakup to his final stats.

Belton will have a big opportunity to showcase what he can do over the final three games of the year. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has not done a ton this season, but at 6-foot-6 and 246-pounds, he offers a physical mismatch against just about every safety across the NFL. Pitts caught four passes for 28 yards on Monday night, and has 40 receptions for 536 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

SCOUTING THE FALCONS DEFENSE

In two of their last three games since their Week 12 bye, the Falcons have held opponents to 17 points or less, including Monday night’s game in which the Raiders scored just nine points. The strength of Atlanta’s defense lies in its run defense, which ranks 13th in both yards and yards per attempt allowed. However, the unit has done a good job of keeping opposing running backs out of the end zone, as their seven rushing touchdowns allowed are tied for the second-fewest in the league.

Grady Jarrett leads the way up front, while edge rushers Matt Judon and Arnold Ebiketie have both played well. Atlanta has some talent in its secondary, as well. The Falcons have one of the top safety duos in the NFL with Jessie Bates III and Justin Simmons. Bates leads the team with his three interceptions and four forced fumbles, while Simmons isn’t far behind with two interceptions.

“I think they do a really good job of getting the football out,” Kafka said about Atlanta’s defense. “Those safeties do a hell of a job punching at the football. I think they have multiplicity in their scheme, whether it’s showing two high, getting a one high. They like to disguise up front. They’ve got a lot of really talented players and try to make it really difficult in the run game. So, we’ve got a bunch of challenges across the board that we’re just going to have to really put together a good plan, and I think we have a really good plan, and we’re going to go out there and practice it today.”