NFL Playoff Picture 2024-25: Week 17 Rankings, AFC and NFC Wild Card Bracket Hunt | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors
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NFL Playoff Picture 2024-25: Week 17 Rankings, AFC and NFC Wild Card Bracket Hunt | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up before the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

The eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft made his first start in Week 16, filling in for the struggling Kirk Cousins ​​and giving the Atlanta Falcons a lopsided win over the New York Giants that kept the team’s playoff hopes alive.

Rookie Michael Penix Jr. went 18-27 for 202 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in a 34-7 victory over the once-proud G-Men.

It wasn’t a dazzling or flawless debut, but Penix did enough right to direct his offense and convince fans that he is the quarterback of the future for an organization that has been looking for a quarterback since Matt Ryan got his last snapshot was taken in red and black.

Shawn Syed @SyedSchemes

Michael Penix Jr. felt comfortable in the pocket, threw timely breakers and was able to assert himself in the middle of the field
Penix Jr. also didn’t get a sack despite being pressured 14 times pic.twitter.com/sdPmB0sSJO

With Tampa Bay’s win and loss to Dallas on Sunday night, the Falcons leapfrogged their rival for control of the division. With two wins against the Bucs in 2024, the Falcons now have a chance at a division title and a playoff spot.

Win both remaining games (in Commanders vs. Panthers) and you will be NFC South champions and in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Even a draw with Tampa Bay gives them head-to-head wins at the start of the season thanks to these two head-to-head wins.

Not bad for an organization that started 4-2 but slipped into mediocrity behind Cousins’ numerous turnovers.

Now the ball is in Penix’s court. Can former Washington Huskie Bijan Robinson, Drake London and the rest of his young Falcons squad lead to the promised land and disrupt the NFC playoff picture?

Fans will get the answer in Week 17, when he has the opportunity to face the man who beat him to the 2023 Heisman Trophy: Commanders rookie signal-caller Jayden Daniels.

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