The Atlanta Falcons defeated the New York Giants 34-7 behind a solid effort from rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons made a concerted effort to keep Penix upright, allowing him to finish the game without being sacked.
Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards and one interception, though the pick wasn’t his fault. In the second quarter, he connected with tight end Kyle Pitts near the end zone, but Pitts bobbled the ball, allowing Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott to make the interception.
Penix Wins in Falcons Debut
The Falcons registered 22 first downs, 10 of which came through the air. They were successful on 8 of 14 third-down attempts and converted 2 of 4 red-zone opportunities—an area where they had struggled in recent weeks under former starter Kirk Cousins.
“He went out and played nearly flawless football, keeping the game clean and giving us the chance to secure the win,” said Falcons coach Raheem Morris of Penix.
Cousins had thrown nine interceptions in his last five games, with only one touchdown pass. During that stretch, the Falcons went 1-4, including a four-game losing streak that saw them drop from 6-3 and in control of the NFC South to fighting for a playoff spot.
The Falcons regained the lead in the NFC South after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
Can the Falcons Hold On?
The Falcons now have the inside track to make the playoffs as the winner of the NFC South.
The good thing is all Atlanta has to do is win out. So, yes, the Atlanta Falcons can make the playoffs, but it largely depends on how the remaining two games play out. The Falcons must beat the Washington Commanders and the Carolina Panthers, which will be tough tasks.
But let’s explore the Falcons’ playoff chances and the two ways they can make it into the postseason:
1. Win the NFC South Division Race
The NFC South has historically been one of the more competitive divisions in the NFL, but in recent seasons, it has been wide open. In recent years, the division has been up for grabs, with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all facing challenges. Even with a loss to Washington, the Falcons have a good chance of winning the division if they beat the Carolina Panthers.
It’s a good chance that Tampa Bay loses one more game, which is good news for the Falcons and means they can potentially win the division and secure an automatic playoff spot.
Division record is crucial. The Falcons have only lost once in the division, a last-second loss to the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome. On the other hand, the Bucs have two losses in the division, thanks to being swept by the Falcons.
A strong divisional record puts Atlanta in the driver’s seat to claim a playoff spot, even if they don’t win the NFC South outright.
Earn a Wild Card Berth
Even if the Falcons don’t win the division, they can still qualify for the playoffs through the wild card. The NFC playoff picture has several wild card spots available, and the Falcons are positioned to compete with other NFC teams, particularly the Commanders, for one of those spots.
Key factors for a wild card berth:
- Strong performance in non-division games: Winning against NFC teams outside the South and even some AFC teams will improve their chances.
- Win against the Commanders: The Falcons face a must-win against Washington for the last Wild Card spot in the NFC.
- Consistency: The Falcons have struggled with consistency in recent seasons, but if they can string together solid performances, they could sneak into the wild card race.
- Quarterback play: If Penix continues to improve and avoids turnovers, the offense can become more efficient.
Final Word
The Falcons have a lot to look forward, starting with a chance to make the postseason. But it’s going to take a complete effort.
The Falcons have struggled at times in the red zone, which can hurt their ability to close out games and score enough points to win. If they can improve this aspect of their game, they’ll be more likely to win close contests.
The Falcons’ defense has the potential to be a playoff-caliber unit, especially with players like Grady Jarrett on the defensive line and young talent in the secondary. If they can continue to play solid defense, it will take pressure off their offense and give them a better chance in high-stakes games.