With the 7-7 Atlanta Falcons attempting to maintain their playoff hopes alive, head coach Raheem Morris benched struggling quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. for Sunday’s dwelling recreation in opposition to the 2-12 New York Giants.
Penix spoke with reporters on Wednesday for the primary time as Atlanta’s QB1 and did not conceal the truth that he’ll in all probability have some butterflies in his abdomen at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“I ain’t going to lie, I’ll be nervous working out of that tunnel,” Penix admitted, as shared by Terrin Waack of the Falcons’ web site. “However each time I get on the sector, it is an entire completely different mentality, a flipped swap. I am able to go.”
Penix presumably may see the writing on the wall, as hypothesis concerning Morris making the transfer had hovered over the Falcons for weeks. Cousins was responsible for eight interceptions and 0 landing passes over 4 consecutive losses earlier than he accomplished simply 11-of-17 move makes an attempt for 112 yards with a rating and a choose in an unimpressive 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders this previous Monday evening. It is since been said that the 36-year-old, who suffered a torn Achilles in October 2023, has a “lifeless” arm due to “his incapability to make use of his decrease physique to muster full energy on his throws.”
To his credit score, Cousins said on Wednesday he would “help Mike and simply attempt to assist our crew have the ability to discover a option to win these final three [games] to get within the playoffs.” Later within the day, Penix famous he has studied Cousins all through the marketing campaign.
“Simply the best way he processed, the best way he speaks to the crew in conferences on the sector, simply the command he has to the offense, getting issues the best way that he needed in order that he may play quick,” Penix mentioned about what he is realized from Cousins, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN. “I look as much as Kirk and, to be sincere, Kirk could not do no unsuitable in my eyes, so it was like, dang, after I noticed him in camp main all the best way up by the season, he is particular.”
Whereas Atlanta trails the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) by one recreation within the race for the NFC South division title, the Falcons beat the Buccaneers twice earlier within the marketing campaign. Thus, Penix has a practical likelihood to be a season-savior for Atlanta starting with the Giants recreation.
As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons as 8.5-point favorites over Huge Blue.
“I simply acquired to be myself,” Penix added. “I do not really feel like I acquired to be anyone else. I haven’t got to attempt too laborious to be the massive chief, the vocal chief. Simply be myself. Belief in my preparation and convey everyone together with me.”
