The Atlanta Falcons are in desperate need of help at quarterback.
The Atlanta Falcons were defeated in humiliating fashion on Sunday afternoon during their Week 2 home opener against the Carolina Panthers which saw a 34-3 beatdown in an offensive performance which was nothing less than putrid.
Just as was the case in the Week 1 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, production on the offensive side of the ball for Atlanta was embarrassing, and this week was even worse. After a disastrous outing from Cooper Rush that saw three turnovers, undrafted rookie Jack Strand got his chance as well and was somehow just as bad if not worse.
Things with the franchise are bleak at the moment as the Falcons both QB1 and QB2 remain out, however a glimmer of hope was provided by Adam Schefter on Sunday morning when he reported Penix could make his season debut on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers. While a short week may not be ideal for a season debut, Atlanta desperately needs Penix to suit up.
Falcons Cannot Win Right Now if Penix Does Not Play
As Tua Tagovailoa's health remains a mystery, the simple fact of the matter right now is that Atlanta cannot beat anyone in this league right now with Rush or Strand at starting quarterback. It's perhaps not fair to Penix to rush him into this mess, but if 0-2 is already staring down the barrel of a lost season, 0-3 is right on the cusp.
Green Bay is a beatable team as it has shown over the first two weeks, but that only holds true if Penix is the one running the offense. Clearly, the physical health is no longer the issue and the team is comfortable with him getting out there, so the time is now.
Penix getting on the field would save the franchise the embarrassment of being blown out in primetime in front of the whole country as the Falcons get set to play three straight standalone games over the next three weeks. The left-hander will get his chance to prove he is still the quarterback of the future for this franchise, but in order to do that, he first has to get out there.
The coaching staff has praised Penix and the way he goes about his business all offseason long, but now it's time for him to go out and show what he can do and win back the support of this fanbase. The season -- and how the fans approach it -- depends on it.
