Rookie Michael Penix Jr. made his first NFL start in place of Kirk Cousins, and it's fair to wonder if Cousins will play another meaningful snap for Atlanta.

In his first NFL start, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. brought Atlanta one step closer to the postseason. Here's how he did it.

The Falcons turned the offense over to their rookie quarterback in Week 16, and the stats don’t fully tell the story.

The Falcons have Penix set up well with an excellent run game led by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, good players to throw to like Drake London and Darnell Mooney (and maybe even Kyle Pitts if he can finally put it all together) and a sound offensive line to keep him upright. That will matter as Penix finds himself as an NFL quarterback.

The Atlanta Falcons reclaimed the NFC South lead this weekend, defeating the New York Giants by a score of 34-7. Michael Penix Jr. impressed in his first real NFL action, becoming just the third Falcons rookie quarterback ever to win his first start.

The Kirk Cousins fiasco for the Atlanta Falcons led to a $180 million decision, and the winner was Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons. So far.

As Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons make a playoff push, the rookie QB will be heavily relied upon now that he's the starter.

Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made his first NFL start for the Atlanta Falcons in their 34-7 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday,

Michael Penix Jr. completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards in his first career start, helping the Atlanta Falcons post a 34-7 rout of the visiting New York Giants on Sunday.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 pick in April's draft, authored a solid performance in the Atlanta Falcons' 34-7 rout of the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, throwing for 202 yards with one interception.