The Atlanta Falcons are rolling into Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers with a brutal 0-2 record, and their offense has been an absolute train wreck through the first two weeks. After losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers, the Falcons desperately need a spark, especially as they finally get starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. back on the field. This isn’t just about getting a first win; it’s about proving they aren’t already circling the drain.
The Falcons Offense Has Been Non-Functional, Seriously
Look, it’s been rough. With Cooper Rush under center for the first two games, Atlanta’s offense has been, well, let’s just say “essentially non-functional.” We’re talking 16 points total in two games. Sixteen points! And seven turnovers? That’s not just bad, that’s an epic disaster waiting to happen. Tru Media isn’t shy about the truth either, pegging them fourth-to-last in offensive success rate and dead last in EPA per play. You simply cannot win NFL games turning the ball over that much and barely putting up double-digit points. It’s a recipe for an 0-whatever season, and Falcons fans have to be absolutely frustrated right now.
Penix Jr. Returns, But What Does “Cleared to Play” Really Mean?
So, Michael Penix Jr. is making his season debut, finally cleared to play and practicing fully after his latest knee surgery. But we gotta ask, how healthy is he, really? His career numbers aren’t exactly lighting the world on fire: 4-8 as a starter in 14 appearances, completing just 59.6% of his passes for 7.2 yards per attempt, with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. The biggest red flag? Accuracy. Among 40 quarterbacks with 300 or more passes since he entered the league, Penix ranks 39th in both completion rate and off-target throw rate. Ouch. He does push the ball downfield a lot, ranking fourth in average depth of throw, which creates some big plays and puts him 10th in explosives per dropback. Atlanta is pretty banged up themselves, so Penix will need to be sharp right away.
The Packers are hosting this one at Lambeau Field, and they’re not exactly flawless. They’re 1-1 after a “preposterous” Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and a “disappointing” overtime win against the New York Jets in Week 2. Green Bay is dealing with numerous injuries too, but it’s their home opener and they’re 4.5-point favorites with an over/under of 42.5. Can Atlanta finally get that first win, or will the Packers move to 2-1 and watch the Falcons spiral even further? We’ll find out Thursday at 8:20 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply