Falcons Score NFL-High 80 Points in Two Games With Michael Penix Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons managed just 16 points in their first two games. Then they put up a league-leading 80 over the next two in wins over the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints after Michael Penix Jr. replaced Cooper Rush at quarterback in Week 3. Penix has the league's fastest release at 2.36 seconds, hits more throws downfield and keeps finding Drake London outside the numbers. That passing threat has helped open up the run game too: Atlanta rushed for 447 yards over the two wins, and its success rate against stacked boxes jumped from 27% to 63.6%. The caveats are a small sample, soft defensive opponents and Penix's uneven accuracy in his first two seasons (59.6% completions, 7.2 yards per attempt).