Are The Atlanta Falcons Back On The Quarterback Carousel?

Sunday Night Football started off exciting for Atlanta. The Falcons were coming off two primetime wins against formidable opponents, beating them soundly. They managed to score over 35 points two games in a row. Excitement was in the air that the Falcons could do it three. Now, after the loss, questions linger about starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s health… again.

No Lamar Jackson, no Trey Hendrickson, and offensive line issues looked like a winning recipe. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they were consistently beaten in the trenches all night, letting the Ravens do what they wanted.

Young franchise quarterback Penix Jr. had an up-and-down night. When he wasn’t pressured, he was outstanding, completing 17 of 23 passes for 208 yards and a TD. According to Next Gen Stats, Penix was 10-for-14 passing for 169 yards and a TD on throws that traveled 10-plus yards.

When he was pressured, however, he was awful, completing two of nine for 32 yards and three sacks. Any sign of pressure or discomfort, and Penix Jr. was ready to kill the play. His ability to play off script at the moment is very low. The consequences aren’t just stalled drives; they could lead to a quarterback injury.

With 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter, after Baltimore tied the game, Penix Jr. led the Falcons downfield for at least a field goal to avoid overtime. As Penix Jr. surveyed the field for a receiver, tight end Kyle Pitts missed his block on defensive end Tavius Robinson, resulting in a 10-yard loss and a fumble recovered by center Ryan Neuzil.

The fumble was the least of Atlanta’s worries, as Penix Jr., returning from an ACL injury, was slow to get up. He missed the first snap as veteran backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa entered the game on 2nd and 20.

Tagovailoa managed a fourteen-yard pass to superstar wide receiver Bijan Robinson, giving the ball back to Penix Jr.  on a 3rd and 6. Penix’s incomplete pass was his last of the night, as he didn’t see the field during overtime.

There is speculation on whether he would have entered the game. If the Ravens didn’t run so much time off the clock. But with less than three minutes left, the Falcons got the ball and decided to end the game with Tagovailoa, who threw a game-ending interception.

Penix Jr. felt fine after the game, and the injury didn’t feel like it would keep him out. But an MRI has been ordered. If Penix Jr. is injured enough to miss time, Atlanta will be on its third starting quarterback this season, with Tagovailoa next up.

We will know the state of the Falcons’ quarterback carousel next Sunday against the Chicago Bears, who also have quarterback issues.