Falcons thriving after return of ex-UW standout Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta has scored 80 points in the two games Penix has started.

BY BILL TROCCHI, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oct 6, 2026, 2:25 PM Updated: 2:33 pm

Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 5, 2026, in New Orleans. (Morgan Simmons/Getty Images)

(Morgan Simmons/Getty Images)

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons’ running game has taken the pressure off quarterback and for UW Huskies star Michael Penix Jr. in his return to the starting offense.

Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson combined to rush for 207 yards and five touchdowns as the Falcons’ offense continued their dramatic turnaround with Penix as the starter in Atlanta’s 45-24 win on “Monday Night Football” at New Orleans.

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The Falcons have gone from the lowest-scoring team in the league to the highest with the return of Penix, who has led his team to 80 points in the two weeks he’s been back. In the season’s opening two weeks, with reserve Cooper Rush at the controls, the Falcons scored just 16 combined points in losses to the Steelers and Panthers.

Atlanta’s dominant win over the Saints came on the heels of a 35-14 blowout at Green Bay on Sept. 24. A team that was booed off its home field after a 34-3 loss to the Panthers is now tied for first place in the NFC South after four games.

“What do I think I’ve proven? That I’m healthy. That’s it,” said Penix, who tore his left ACL last November. “I feel like we still got a lot of work to do. I’m not gonna sit here and say I’m satisfied. You know we still got a long season.”

Atlanta’s offense continues to focus on the running game, but Penix was efficient and avoided mistakes against the Saints. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 223 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He spread the ball around, threw a deep 31-yard touchdown pass and led a mistake-free performance that produced six offensive touchdowns and the most points Atlanta has scored in a game since 2016.

“Mike played well. He took care of the football, made some really good throws,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday. “I thought the throw late in the game, that third down, get the ball to Drake (London), which was an excellent play. There’s a bunch of great stuff out there, but I really like Mike’s demeanor on game day. I like how he’s operating.”

The Seattle Sports made edits to this post.

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