When Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr. just weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive franchise-cornerstone deal, the disbelief and derision rained down from all corners of the NFL world — fans, media,

Penix’s dramatic touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts couldn’t save the Falcons from falling to 8-8 and out of the NFC South lead with an OT loss to the Commanders.

Michael Penix Jr. could have crumbled. A pair of negative plays outside his control threatened the Atlanta Falcons' comeback effort against the Washington Commanders. Between a phantom holding call an