Three days earlier than Christmas, the Atlanta Falcons determined to provide their fan base an early present. Matthew Judon raised the ball over his head at in regards to the 10-yard line and continued to rumble his method into the top zone. The interception, 26-yard return, and rating made the rating 24-7 in favor of the Atlanta Falcons on the very starting of the third quarter. The New York Giants took that blow and by no means obtained up off of the canvas. Combat over and the Falcons, now 8-7 general, playoff hopes proceed.
The Atlanta Falcons (8-7 general, tied for first in NFC South with Tampa, who performs tonight in Dallas) defeated the New York Giants 34-7 to maintain their playoff hopes alive, whereas additionally shifting again above .500. The story on Sunday was much less about Penix Jr.’s debut as a starter and extra about what this staff might have finished if the protection appeared this good throughout that latest four-game shedding streak.
After the sport Falcons head coach Raheem Morris stated he didn’t get the chance to provide out a sport ball, however he may not simply give it to anyone participant. “I ought to give it to the entire staff,” he stated.
Atlanta Falcons rookie beginning quarterback Michael Penix, Jr.’s stat line earlier than Sunday was a paltry 3-5 for 38 yards. Penix, Jr. performed in two video games earlier than Sunday, each in losses to Seattle and on the street in Denver. His first go try as a starter was incomplete, however his first third down try as a starter was good for a primary down. Penix discovered Drake London downfield on a crossing route. He would discover Ray-Ray McCloud III on a display a number of performs later, which put the Falcons in area aim place. Penix went 2-5 for 27 yards throughout the possession. Falcons kicker Riley Patterson, who was changing injured starter YounghoeKoo, would miss the following area aim. Penix completed the primary half 9-16 for 110 yards, an interception, and with out his first profession landing go. He completed his first profession begin with 200 yards passing, and most significantly a victory.
On Penix, Jr.’s play, Morris gave the rookie loads of reward. “He went out and performed nearly flawless soccer,” stated Morris. “The child was prepared.”
“The child” was equally as constructive about his staff’s effort throughout the win. “It was a fantastic sport. An amazing staff sport,” stated Penix, Jr.
The visiting Giants didn’t get the menu in regards to the coronation of Penix, Jr. and determined to start out enjoying profitable soccer for the primary time this season. On a 14-play, 70-yard drive that ate up eight minutes of the primary quarter and a few seconds of the second quarter, Giants quarterback Drew Lock discovered Tyrone Tracy, Jr. behind the top zone to attain the sport’s first factors.
Patterson would make good on his second area aim try of the day, connecting on a 52-yarder that made the rating 7-3 on the 10-minute mark of the second quarter. A couple of minutes later Falcons security Jessie Bates III would put the Falcons forward 10-3 following an interception and return for landing. Earlier than the interception, Lock was enjoying in addition to could be anticipated for a staff that has gone by way of three beginning quarterbacks this season.
Coming off every week the place they solely allowed 9 factors on the street in Las Vegas, the Falcons’ protection held the Giants, an equally as dangerous soccer staff because the Raiders at 2-12, to seven first-half factors. Falcons linebacker Arnold Ebiketie’s sack on second down throughout a Giants drive with 5 minutes remaining within the first half helped power a 3rd and lengthy, after which one other New York punt.
Penix discovered receiver Darnell Mooney twice on a drive, whereas additionally drawing a 30-yard go interference name on a go to Mooney that put Atlanta on the Giants’ 39-yard line. The drive was capped with a few runs by Bijan Robinson, the final one being for a four-yard landing that put Atlanta up 17-7 with lower than two minutes to play within the first half.
The Falcons defensive unit pressured a turnover with 1:20 down in Giants territory. The offense took benefit of that area place, however in the end turned the ball over on the one-yard line following a Penix, Jr. interception that needs to be credited to tight finish Kyle Pitts. The third-year tight finish would end the sport with a single catch.
Atlanta discovered methods to maneuver the ball with none magic from Penix, Jr. The massive performs on offense got here from having a working again duo of Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Robinson scored his second landing of the sport to provide Atlanta a 31-7 benefit halfway by way of the third quarter. Atlanta added one other Patterson area aim early within the fourth quarter to go up 34-7.
The Falcons stored the Giants scoreless throughout the second half, making Sunday the second sport in a row they held a staff to 10 factors or much less.
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