It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago the prevailing wisdom was that Tua Tagovailoa was the best option for the Atlanta Falcons to start at quarterback this season.
Tagovailoa's 2026 campaign still hasn't gotten off the ground due to a back injury at the start of training camp and an oblique strain to begin the regular season - and right now it looks like he may never see the field for the Falcons at all.
That's how special Michael Penix Jr. has been since he returned to the lineup a couple of weeks ago. First, Penix helped Bijan Robinson and Drake London torch the Packers in an upset win on Thursday Night Football. Then Penix followed up with another very strong performance last night, upsetting and crushing the Saints on Monday Night Football.
For his efforts, Penix has earned an "B" grade from Brent Sobleski at Bleacher Report.
"Michael Penix Jr. experienced the type of game quarterbacks dream of when the Atlanta Falcons faced the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football... Penix may not have needed to do too much during his latest outing, but his presence in the lineup has been a stabilizing force for the Falcons over the last two games."
Penix may not have had to do too much, but a B grade seems a bit harsh from this angle. Penix only missed five pass attempts and didn't make any notable turnover-worthy throws that we are aware of. He was most effective off play-action, especially the 31-yard bomb to Jahan Dotson to close the door on New Orleans' never-ending celebration of a blocked punt from 20 years ago.
Neither Green Bay nor New Orleans are pushovers, but Penix will face his toughest test yet this week as the Falcons host the Baltimore Ravens.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: B/R grades Falcons QB Michael Penix's performance vs. Saints
