NFL

New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons

· National Football League
2-13, 2-5 Away
Final
7 - 34
8-7, 4-4 Home

Penix wins debut as Atlanta QB as Falcons return two picks for TDs, beat hapless Giants 34-7

Michael Penix Jr. connects with Drake London for first NFL completion

Then he played like a veteran for the Atlanta Falcons.

Penix's first NFL start went about as smoothly as it could, helped greatly by a defense that returned two interceptions for touchdowns Sunday in a 34-7 rout of the New York Giants that bolstered Atlanta's playoff hopes.

“It’s the game I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old,” the 24-year-old rookie said. “Obviously it’s different, it’s at a higher level, but you know it’s the same game. I've just got to go out there and execute. Once we hit the field, I was good.”

Jessie Bates and Matthew Judon each had a pick-6 to carry Atlanta (8-7) to its second straight win after a four-game losing streak put its postseason hopes in jeopardy. The Falcons came into the week a game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC South and holding the tiebreaker edge over the Buccaneers, and they moved back into first place Sunday night when the Bucs lost at Dallas.

Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft, got the call against the Giants (2-13) after the Falcons decided to bench turnover-prone Kirk Cousins just nine months after signing him to a four-year, $180 million contract that included $100 million guaranteed.

The left-hander was not at all overwhelmed by the moment, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards — numbers that would've been better if not for at least three dropped passes, one of which Kyle Pitts bobbled right into the hands of a New York defender for Penix's lone interception.

“He went out and played almost flawless football,” coach Raheem Morris said. “He kept the game really clean."

The defense made things even easier for the new starter, throttling a New York team that struggled to put anything together with Drew Lock returning as the starting QB after missing the previous week with a heel injury.

The Giants took their franchise-record 10th straight loss.

“You can’t win a game when you throw two interceptions for touchdowns,” coach Brian Daboll said. “I’m just worried about this one. It wasn’t good enough.”

With the Giants up 7-3 in the second quarter, Lock's pass for Wan'Dale Robinson was easily swiped by Bates, who ran untouched the other way for a 55-yard touchdown return that put the Falcons ahead to stay.

Judon put the game away on the second play of the second half, grabbing a ball that was batted in the air by Zach Harrison as Lock attempted to throw. The edge rusher took it 27 yards for another pick-6 that gave Atlanta a commanding 24-7 lead.

It was only the second time in franchise history that Atlanta has returned a pair of interceptions to the end zone. Kenny Johnson did it by himself in a 47-41 victory over Green Bay on Nov. 27, 1983.

Lock, on the other hand, became the first Giants quarterback since Eli Manning in 2007 to have multiple picks returned for touchdowns in a game. He also lost a fumble.

Bijan Robinson had touchdowns runs of 2 and 4 yards for the Falcons. He finished with 94 yards on 22 carries and now has 10 rushing TDs on the season, becoming the first Atlanta back to reach double figures since Devonta Freeman during the 2016 Super Bowl season.

Robinson wanted to keep the focus on Penix for making a difficult week much easier on those around him.

“He carries himself super well,” the running back said. “I could tell in the game today he was as chill as possible.”

Lock opened the scoring with a 2-yard TD pass to Tyrone Tracy, who made a dazzling one-handed catch while tiptoeing along the end line. But that was about the only highlight for the Giants, who are wrapping up one of the most dismal seasons in their storied history.

Riley Patterson, taking over as Atlanta's kicker after struggling Younghoe Koo went on injured reserve, made field goals of 52 and 37 yards after missing his first attempt from 43 yards.

Keeping up the pressure Atlanta got another big game from its pass rush, which was credited with three sacks and six other hits on Lock.

After being held to a league-low 10 sacks through their first 11 games, the Falcons have 16 sacks in four games since their bye week.

“I was like, ‘It’s coming, I can see it in practice and how we’re practicing and how we’re getting better,’” Morris said. “But really over the last couple of weeks, they’ve cracked the code. They're rushing together. When you get four guys all rushing together, that’s how it happens the best.”

Injury report Giants: ILB Micah McFadden (neck) and S Jason Pinnock (eye) both left the game. ... Tommy DeVito was cleared from concussion protocol and served as Lock's backup.

Falcons: CB Antonio Hamilton (quad) was injured in the first half and didn't return. ... WR Drake London (hamstring) hobbled off in the second half, but Morris said he doesn't think the injury is serious.

Up next Giants: Host the Indianapolis Colts (7-8) next Sunday before closing the season at Philadelphia on Jan. 5. If New York loses its last two games, it will mark the fewest wins in a season since a 2-12 mark in 1974.

Falcons: At Washington (10-5) next Sunday night in a game with huge playoff ramifications for both teams.

How can I watch Giants vs. Falcons?

  • TV Channel: Giants at Falcons 2021-22 NFL, week 16 is broadcasted nationally on FOX and NFL Sunday Ticket.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Giants vs. Falcons on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

NYG TD 2nd Period 14:53 Tyrone Tracy Jr. 2 Yd pass from Drew Lock (Graham Gano Kick)
ATL FG 2nd Period 10:36 Riley Patterson 52 Yd Field Goal
ATL TD 2nd Period 7:56 Jessie Bates III 55 Yd Interception Return (Riley Patterson Kick)
ATL TD 2nd Period 1:43 Bijan Robinson 4 Yd Rush (Riley Patterson Kick)
ATL TD 3rd Period 14:20 Matthew Judon 27 Yd Interception Return (Riley Patterson Kick)
ATL TD 3rd Period 7:14 Bijan Robinson 2 Yd Rush (Riley Patterson Kick)
ATL FG 4th Period 10:47 Riley Patterson 37 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/nyg.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNYG https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/atl.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originATL
14 1st Downs 22
11 Passing 1st downs 10
3 Rushing 1st downs 11
0 1st downs from penalties 1
3-9 3rd down efficiency 8-14
0-1 4th down efficiency 0-0
55 Total Plays 65
234 Total Yards 329
4.3 Yards per Play 5.1
11 Total Drives 9
189 Passing 202
22/39 Comp/Att 18/27
4.5 Yards per pass 7.5
2 Interceptions thrown 1
3-21 Sacks-Yards Lost 0-0
45 Rushing 127
13 Rushing Attempts 38
3.5 Yards per rush 3.3
1-2 Red Zone (Made-Att) 2-4
10-85 Penalties 3-30
3 Turnovers 1
1 Fumbles lost 0
2 Interceptions thrown 1
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 2
25:32 Possession 34:28
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Bralen Trice, LB Questionable Feb 10
Jase McClellan, RB Questionable Feb 10
Younghoe Koo, PK Questionable Feb 10
DeMarcco Hellams, S Questionable Feb 10
Troy Andersen, LB Questionable Feb 10
New York Giants New York Giants Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Chris Manhertz, TE Questionable Mar 8
Andrew Thomas, OT Questionable Feb 11
Jon Runyan, G Questionable Feb 11
Bobby Okereke, LB Questionable Feb 11
Tyler Nubin, S Questionable Feb 11

Game Information

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Location: Atlanta, GA
Attendance: 70,404 · Capacity:

2024 NFC East Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Philadelphia 14 3 .824 0 463 303
Washington 12 5 .706 0 485 391
Dallas 7 10 .412 0 350 468
New York 3 14 .176 0 273 415

2024 NFC South Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Tampa Bay 10 7 .588 0 502 385
Atlanta 8 9 .471 0 389 423
Carolina 5 12 .294 0 341 534
New Orleans 5 12 .294 0 338 398
Full Standings

NFL News

Canty: Cowboys have to start considering a Dak Prescott trade

Canty: Cowboys have to start considering a Dak Prescott trade

Chris Canty explains why the Cowboys' lack of playoff success will pressure them to consider trading Dak Prescott.

2025 NFL draft: Latest buzz, Hunter's position, sleepers

2025 NFL draft: Latest buzz, Hunter's position, sleepers

Could Travis Hunter play full-time wide receiver? Which teams are most likely to trade down? Our NFL draft experts weigh in.

How Cowboys get a draft advantage with their 'Dallas Day'

How Cowboys get a draft advantage with their 'Dallas Day'

With many draft prospects from the Dallas area -- such as RB Ashton Jeanty and QB Quinn Ewers -- the Cowboys have a leg up on other NFL teams.

Detroit Lions prioritized discipline in NFL free agency

Detroit Lions prioritized discipline in NFL free agency

With so many young stars still to pay, the Lions are trusting what they already had in-house this offseason.

Do Panthers have a legit No. 1 receiver in Xavier Legette?

Do Panthers have a legit No. 1 receiver in Xavier Legette?

The Panthers still see a lot of upside in Legette, their 2024 first-round pick, but he has a lot to improve on from his rookie year.