ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons received the rookie debut of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., 34-7, on Dec. 22 in opposition to the Unutilized York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Penix grew to become in a cast debut. The rookie went 18-for-27 for 202 yards. He didn’t have a landing and had one interception. The submit got here within the crimson zone on a cross to Kyle Pitts that he deflected within the wind and was once stuck by way of the Giants’ protection.
The tale of the sport was once the Falcons’ protection. They produced two touchdowns. The primary got here from Jesse Bates. The All-Professional nook from a yr in the past intercepted a cross in the second one quarter and returned the ball 55 yards for the rating to offer Atlanta its first supremacy of the competition and one they wouldn’t relinquish.
The alternative additionally got here by means of a select. The play games passed off within the 3rd quarter when defensive lineman Zach Harrison batted a ball within the wind and outdoor linebacker Matthew Judon stuck it and made a 26-yard go back to the home. At this level, the Falcons led, 24-7.
Bijan Robinson additionally had a weighty occasion with two dashing touchdowns. It was once any other occasion Robinson unpriviledged a 100-yard mark in general yards. The second one-year professional had 94 yards at the farmland and two touchdowns and added two catches for 9 yards.
The win comes at a a very powerful age for Atlanta. They entered Sunday a recreation in the back of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers for the supremacy within the NFC South. They personal the tiebreaker over the Bucs later sweeping the season order.
