Since his return to the lineup in Week 3, Michael Penix has raised the Atlanta Falcons' offense to levels we haven't seen since former MVP Matt Ryan left the team.
After missing the first two games of the year, Penix has thrown for six touchdowns
to go with just one interception in four games, posting a 106.0 passer rating and a QBR of 64.4, both far ahead of his previous career highs in those categories.The S.S. Penix may be heading for an iceberg this afternoon, though. According to numbers at ESPN research, Penix has done his best work against man coverage this season, posting a QBR over double what it is against zone defense, which is what the Niners tend to play.
"Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. has an 81 Total QBR versus man coverage (sixth
in the NFL) and a 39 Total QBR against zone coverage (23rd). Meanwhile, the 49ers use zone coverage on 68% of opponents' dropbacks (ninth highest)."
In addition to the man/zone numbers, the Niners have another advantage on their sidelines.
Former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is now serving as San Francisco's defensive coordinator, and he should know as well as any defensive play-caller in the league how best to trip up Penix, having watched him first-hand in practice for the previous two seasons.
So far Morris has done an excellent job with the 49ers defense, which ranks fifth in yardage allowed (300 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense (18.3 points per game).
In last year's meeting with the Niners, Penix's numbers were neither great nor terrible - he went 21/38 for 241 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and an 83.3 passer rating. The 49ers went on to win, 20-10.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN numbers show why Michael Penix may struggle vs. 49ers
