Just four days after their most lopsided home loss ever at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — which had fans booing in the first quarter — the Atlanta Falcons pulled off an overwhelming bounce-back win that restored hope for the season.
asserted
that → have → season
This time, it was the Green Bay Packers who heard boos from their fans.
asserted
who → hear → fans
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who played in his first game in 10 months, was a difference-maker for the Falcons (1-2) in their surprising 35-14 win at Green Bay on Thursday night.
asserted
who → play → night
Penix completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
asserted
Penix → complete → touchdown
After throwing an interception on the Falcons’ first drive, Penix went on to complete 16 of 18 passes in the final three quarters.
asserted
Penix → throw → quarters
For perhaps the final time this season, coach Kevin Stefanski was asked Friday if Penix would remain the starter in the Falcons’ next game.
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Penix → ask → game
“Confirmed,” Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → confirm → ?
“I’m proud of how Mike played.
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Mike → ’m → ?
I know he can build upon that.
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he → know → that
I know he wants to be better.”
asserted
he → know → ?
Indeed, the much-anticipated quarterback competition between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa was never a race.
asserted
competition → anticipate → Penix
Penix’s recovery after tearing the ACL in his left knee during a loss to Carolina on Nov. 16 and Tagovailoa’s oblique injury left both inactive for the first two weeks.
asserted
recovery → tear → weeks
With Cooper Rush the starting quarterback, the Falcons scored a combined 16 points in their first two games, including an embarrassing 34-3 home loss to Carolina on Sunday.
asserted
Falcons → score → Sunday
With Penix behind center, the Falcons scored 27 unanswered points.
asserted
Falcons → score → points
Bijan Robinson rushed for 194 yards and Drake London added 194 receiving yards.
asserted
London → rush → yards
Atlanta’s balanced offense produced 498 yards — 242 rushing and 256 passing.
asserted
offense → produce → yards
Safety Jessie Bates III said he “absolutely” expected the Falcons to play like winners.
asserted
Falcons → say → winners
“We knew what this team was about,” Bates said.
asserted
Bates → know → what
I think, obviously, with Mike Penix coming back that brought us some juice.
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that → think → juice
As a team, when you can stop the run and run the ball at that level that we did today, you’re going to win a lot of ball games like that.”
asserted
you → stop → that
What’s working
The Falcons played winning football on offense, defense and special teams.
asserted
Falcons → work → offense
Penix answered the quarterback question but Stefanski stressed the win was not about one player.
asserted
win → answer → player
The Falcons outrushed the Packers 242-17 — the fewest rushing yards allowed in team history.
asserted
Falcons → outrushe → history
Atlanta’s pass rush put constant pressure on Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love.
asserted
rush → put → Love
Zach Harrison’s blocked field goal attempt was a highlight for the special teams.
asserted
attempt → block → teams
What needs help
While tight end Austin Hooper had a touchdown catch, Kyle Pitts had only one catch for five yards.
asserted
Pitts → need → yards
Stefanski insisted again on Friday Pitts’ lack of targets in the first three games is not an indication of what he expects to come.
asserted
he → insist → what
“When a defense plays a certain way the ball goes where it goes,” Stefansk said.
asserted
Stefansk → play → ?
“Kyle is going to be a big part of this offense. ...
asserted
Kyle → go → offense
Stock up
Penix’s return had a dramatic impact on London’s production.
asserted
return → have → production
London had nine receptions for a career-high 194 yards.
asserted
London → have → yards
His 10 targets matched his combined total for the first two games.
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targets → match → games
Tagovailoa, who had been inactive the first two weeks while recovering from an oblique injury, was Penix’s backup.
asserted
who → recover → injury
If the Falcons view undrafted rookie Jack Strand as a player with developmental value, Rush’s roster spot could be at risk if a need develops at another position and keeping four quarterbacks is a luxury the team can no longer afford.
uncertain
team → view → quarterbacks
Rush threw four interceptions and led only one touchdown drive in his two starts.
asserted
Rush → throw → starts
DE Samson Ebukam (hamstring) was inactive and CB A.J. Terrell (groin) was out for the first of at least four games after being placed on injured reserve.
asserted
Terrell → place → reserve
While Penix was in the spotlight, another important returning player was CB Billy Bowman, who had a tackle and two passes defensed after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.
asserted
who → return → injury
Key number
12 — While Cameron Thomas recorded Atlanta’s only sack, the Falcons had 12 pressures on Love, including four each by Thomas and Brandon Dorlus.
asserted
Falcons → record → Thomas
Stefanski described the pass rush as “outstanding” and having a big impact on Love’s effectiveness.
asserted
Stefanski → describe → effectiveness
“We love to get the sacks whenever we can, but you want to pressure quarterback and I thought he was under pressure quite a bit,” Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → love → pressure
…and 1 more, not listed.
The Aporia
