How will the forecasted inclement climate have an effect on the Falcons offense?

The Atlanta Falcons will play their fifth primetime recreation of the 12 months on Sunday evening in opposition to the Washington Commanders, and inclement climate is on the horizon. The present forecast exhibits regular rain within the night, lining up with the opening kickoff. Showers will proceed late. The low can be round 50 levels Fahrenheit. Winds can be SSW (south-southwest) at 10 to fifteen miles per hour. The prospect of rain is 90%, and the rainfall whole can be close to half an inch.

The Falcons should go on the street and win in dangerous climate to make the playoffs. If Kirk Cousins have been beginning this recreation, I’d be in a little bit of a panic, however Michael Penix’s ascension to the beginning function has quieted these nerves, and others ought to really feel the identical approach.

It might sound odd to achieve that conclusion so rapidly after one modest statistical efficiency inside a dome. Nevertheless, Penix’s background and bodily traits lead me to consider that the wind and rain received’t have an effect on his capacity to throw or Zac Robinson’s capacity to name an efficient passing recreation–nearly every thing ought to be on the desk.

Mitts for fingers

In lots of methods, scouts and basic managers are beginner anatomists. They study the ins and outs of the human physique and search for bodily tendencies that might assist them predict the viability of gamers coming into the league. No place is picked aside greater than quarterback, and one trait that at all times comes up throughout NFL Mix season is hand dimension–Penix’s have been the speak of the occasion.

Penix’s fingers measured 10 ½ inches on the Mix. That places his hand dimension within the High 10 all-time for quarterbacks on the Mix, and so they’re equal to Anthony Richardson, who’s essentially the most bodily gifted quarterback to return out lately. Kirk Cousins’ fingers measure in at 9 ⅞ inches–respectable however not elite.

Merely put, greater fingers equal higher management of the soccer, giving the quarterback a bonus when Mom Nature decides to intervene. This management was additionally displayed when Penix prevented a sack in opposition to the Giants in his debut. The rookie was in a position to maintain onto the ball whereas being spun round by a defender earlier than tossing it out of hurt’s approach and stopping a damaging play. Even with the introduction of water, followers shouldn’t be nervous about Penix’s capacity to guard or throw the soccer, and we now have two years of tape to again that confidence up.

Cast in water

When you dwell on the East Coast like most Falcons followers, you most likely missed the ultimate 12 months of the PAC12 after darkish. Penix owned the evening, no matter clear skies or heavy showers and went undefeated at residence in his Washington Huskies profession. The rookie performed ball within the PNW (Pacific Northwest), recognized for its gray skies and fixed showers.

Penix didn’t simply take care of rain on the occasional Saturday; it was an on a regular basis incidence for half the 12 months. He performed important video games in it, remodeled himself in it, and even had his non-public exercise with the Falcons brass in heavy rain. Raheem Morris famous how, even in these circumstances, he may hear Penix’s balls zip over his head, which brings us to the following concern: the wind.

Whereas the northwest is thought for rain, heavy storms (wind gusts, thunder/lightning) don’t sometimes accompany precipitation right here. That shouldn’t give Zac Robinson pause when devising the passing assault for this week’s recreation, and I doubt it has. There might be winds as excessive as 18 mph, however a quarterback with Penix’s arm expertise can reduce by means of the wind like a blade.

It’s much less concerning the route ideas on this matchup and extra about Penix dialing up the suitable pitch–extra fastballs, much less curve balls. Penix did a superb job of various his throws in opposition to the Giants and knew when so as to add some mustard. I might be extra nervous about his receivers dropping passes once more than the quarterback’s incapacity to throw them.

Preserve stability

This doesn’t imply the Falcons ought to air it out all evening, however it should permit them to remain balanced in order that Dan Quinn’s protection isn’t in a position to load the field in opposition to Bijan Robinson–a notable benefit since awful climate tends to make offenses extra one-dimensional. Play-action boots and center of the sector alternatives can be obtainable. If Penix can money in on them as he did in opposition to New York, then Atlanta may have an opportunity to win this recreation and get one step nearer to the playoffs (or clinch, relying on afternoon outcomes.)

Penix confirmed loads in his debut, however that is nonetheless the rookie’s second profession begin, and the Falcons don’t need to overload his plate on primetime. The workforce’s best-winning system has at all times been to run behind Bijan and hit environment friendly photographs, and that shouldn’t change with a extra bodily gifted quarterback, at the least not but. Penix ought to, nevertheless, make the second a part of that equation simpler to tug off, and he did in his debut. Nonetheless, the NFL is a “what have you ever executed for me currently” league, and one can solely boast a few zero-touchdown efficiency a lot.

Michael Penix should show to NFL followers that he can deal with the strain of primetime and elevate the workforce’s capacity to succeed no matter climate circumstances. But it surely positive is good to know that he’s already executed so at one other degree.