1. Improving chemistry with Atlanta's best weapons
This is only the second full week that Michael Penix Jr. has had to work with the starting receivers. It seems very likely this is the reason we saw so much of Hodge and even Chris Blair making an appearance in Atlanta's last game. The Falcons attempting to give reps to receivers that Penix is familiar with makes a lot of sense.
The quarterback's lack of reps was consistently on display last Sunday with key misses to Drake London and Bijan Robinson. If Penix could have simply floated the ball up the sideline to Robinson the game flips completely. Those are things that a quarterback only in his second start will have happen no matter his talent level.
Understanding your targets and anticipating their breaks and speed is going to continue to be a challenge until we have a full offseason of work. It is why the Falcons should have made the change earlier before the season was on the line. Penix did well considering the lack of time with Atlanta's starting unit. Still, fans want to see the quarterback show growth with his targets and give them a reason to feel hope going into the offseason.
2. Play a turnover free game
When was the last time an Atlanta quarterback didn't throw at least one pick? To be fair to Penix the first interception was a perfect throw that Kyle Pitts handed off to a Giants defender. His second turnover that changed the game was the wrong route to an inexperienced receiver and the quarterback had a reasonable explanation.
Even understanding the context of both plays it would be exciting to see an Atlanta quarterback play a clean game. This is especially the case when you consider the Carolina Panthers and Falcons are both teams that are simply looking to escape the season healthy and turn the page to next year. This should be a game where the run game is heavily leaned on and you're watching the clock attempting to end the season quickly with a win.
If Penix can play a turnover free third game and continue to look as promising as his first two starts expectations are going to rise. The young quarterback has looked the part and showing an ability to protect the ball would be another addition to that. Ball security has haunted Atlanta's late season slide and one of the main reasons they aren't in the playoffs.
3. Continue to establish the middle of the field
Coming into the league one of the biggest knocks against Penix was his inability to work the middle of the field. Working inside the numbers wasn't something the quarterback did consistently at the college level. However, in early going for the Falcons there is every indication the rookie quarterback isn't going to have a problem growing this part of his game.
In Penix's first two starts the quarterback has shown a consistent ability to make plays on any part of the field. While there have been misses and turnovers there hasn't been a clear weakness in his game. The only concern is the lack of reps and need to build chemistry with his new teammates. Both things that can be accomplished with a full offseason to prepare the quarterback for the 2025 season.
It was an odd decision last week to put Blair and Hodge in the game early over Ray-Ray McCloud. The receiver's ability to open up the entire field and work the middle is something that the quarterback would have benefitted from. A mistake the Falcons are unlikely to make again in the team's final game of the season.
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