Dome dependence? Falcons' Penix again struggles under open skies

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Dome dependence? Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. again struggles under open skies

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 9, 2025 1:23 PM ET

A narrative is beginning to form about Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Penix and the Falcons suffered a 31-25 overtime loss at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. Atlanta fell to 3-6 on the season with the loss and has now seen its season go the wrong direction. The biggest takeaway, though, was that Penix remained winless in outdoor games in his NFL career.

Outdoor struggles

Entering Sunday, Penix was winless in four outdoor games, and that number has now reached five with the overtime loss. He struggled mightily, completing just 12-of-28 passes for 177 yards and one passing touchdown.

It was a second consecutive week with an outdoor game for Penix, and both ended in losses for Atlanta. Penix has not turned the ball over in consecutive outdoor games this season, though, but he's still come up on the short end of the stick in back-to-back games now.

Final from Berlinhttps://t.co/oXB7QhCdQe pic.twitter.com/DlUhCjpCnM
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 9, 2025

What lies ahead for Falcons?

Atlanta has two outdoor games remaining on its schedule this season. Those come in Week 13 against the New York Jets and Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Obviously, the game against the Jets is much more winnable on paper than the game against the Buccaneers. It is, however, still the NFL, and anything can happen on any given week. If the Falcons aren't able to win either of those games, the national narrative surrounding Penix and his struggles in outdoor games may become much more well-known.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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