Quarterback Michael Penix has unlocked a new level for the Atlanta Falcons’ offense.

The Falcons started the season with Cooper Rush at quarterback while Penix recovered from an ACL tear, and Tua Tagovailoa suffered an injury before Week 1. The offense put up just 16 points in 2 losses to open the season. With Penix back under center, the Falcons have scored 80 points and won 2 games straight.

“I thought Mike played well … took care of the football, made some really good throws,” head coach Kevin Stefanksi said after the Falcons’ 45–24 win over the New Orleans Saints.

“I thought the throw late in the game on that third down to get the ball to Drake was an excellent play there. There’s a bunch of great stuff out there. But I really like Mike, his demeanor on game day. I like how he’s operating. He’s doing a nice job.”

The Falcons’ running game was the key to success Monday. Running backs Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. combined for 207 yards and 5 touchdowns. Penix went 15 of 20 passing for 223 yards and a touchdown.

Having Penix at the helm clearly added a dimension to the offense that they lacked in the first two weeks.

In the Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rush went 12 of 22 for 143 yards and a touchdown, but threw 2 interceptions; 90 of those passing yards and the touchdown went to Bijan Robinson. Robinson had 21 carries for 83 yards, while Brian Robinson Jr. had 9 carries for 31 yards.

In their Week 2 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Rush went 10 of 17 for 86 yards and 2 interceptions; undrafted rookie Jack Strand added 59 yards on 8 of 15 passes with another interception. Robinson rushed 16 times for 72 yards, while Robinson Jr. had 51 yards on 11 carries. Rush rushed twice for 20 yards, and Strand rushed twice for 16 yards.

When Penix returned to the lineup in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, something clicked for the offense. Penix went 18 of 25 for 256 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Having a competent passer apparently opened up the running game, as Bijan carried the ball 29 times for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Brian had 10 carries for 50 yards and another score.

“He’s been phenomenal. … I appreciate his attitude, how he comes in and just takes the field, and he’s focused, and he’s ready,” Brian Robinson Jr. said of Penix. “He’s not letting [anything] that he’s been through in his past get in the way of his goals and what he [wants] in the future.”

At his press conference Monday night, Penix was asked what he was doing that opened up the running game.

“Just trusting the details and trusting everything that we’ve been coached all throughout the week,” he responded. “For me, doing my job, making sure I’m carrying out my fakes the best way I can. And just the guys, the guys just buying in and going out there and wanting to do it.”

Penix struggled with injuries throughout his college career, and he suffered a torn ACL midway through the 2025 campaign.

The Falcons brought in Tagovailoa to compete for the starting job in the offseason, but he struggled badly in the preseason. Despite this, the Falcons ruled that Penix was not ready to start week 1 and gave the job to Tagovailoa; but Tagovailoa suffered an injury before the season opener, and Rush took the job.

Penix said that his performance proves he is healthy now.

“I feel like we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” he said. “We’ve still got a long season, two wins, but we’ve got to keep stacking.”