Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. logged 162 passing yards in Week 9’s showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, going 20-for-32 with one touchdown and one interception. But while that passing total marks his second straight game under 200 yards, Penix also logged a season-high 50 rushing yards on three carries.
Penix Struggles to Air It Out, But Curbs the Costly Mistakes
It’s clear Penix is in a bit of a passing slump right now, staying under 200 yards through the air for the second consecutive week. That’s not what you want to see from your starting signal-caller. However, there’s a huge positive to pull from this performance: he only turned the ball over once. That’s a massive improvement after Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he tossed a jarring four interceptions. You can live with a low yardage total if you’re not giving the ball away, right? It shows some growth, no doubt.
His Legs Are Doing the Talking on the Field
While the arm might not have been firing on all cylinders, Penix proved he’s a dual threat by busting out a season-high 50 rushing yards. Those three carries for 50 yards are a big deal, showing his ability to extend plays and make something happen when the passing game isn’t clicking. It adds a whole new dimension to his game and gives defenses another thing to worry about. You love to see a QB use his mobility to impact the game, especially when they need to spark some offense.
Next up, Penix and the Falcons have a Week 10 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s still being talked about as a solid QB2 option in fantasy leagues, which feels right given this mix of inconsistent passing but improving turnover control and a strong rushing game. This next game is a huge test. Let’s see if he can build on that clean sheet and keep those legs churning against a tough Chiefs defense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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