ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 16: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Michael Penix Jr. made his return to the Falcons’ starting lineup and excelled as the team’s offense soared past the Green Bay Packers in their Week 3 game.
Penix return did not start off how he imagined it would, as he threw an interception on the fourth offensive play. In what could have been a long night, it turned into a breath of fresh air. Penix missed the first two games after recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during Week 11 of the 2025 season. With Cooper Rush acting as starting quarterback, the Falcons would only score 16 points and lose both games.
The Falcons would win their Thursday Night Football game 35-14 in Lambeau, with Penix completing 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown. The two biggest stars were wide receiver Drake London, who recorded 9 catches for 194 yards, and running back Bijian Robinson, who recorded 213 total yards and 2 touchdowns.
“I knew we had a long game ahead of us, so I just continue to keep my head down, continue to keep working and doing what I can to help this team win a football game,” Penix said of his response to the interception.
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Penix-London duo brings the best of both players. In games played together, London averages 104.3 receiving yards per game, and in his last seven games with Penix, London has been targeted 11 times per game and averaged 120.7 receiving yards.
“He’s the definition of resiliency,” London said.
Penix added that it is a “long season” and that the Falcons were “far from perfect” after their victory. While the Falcons are 1-2, the offense seems to have opened up and is currently tied for first place in the NFC South, the Falcons hope to carry this momentum and finish with a winning record for the first time since 2017.
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