Falcons Will Bench Kirk Cousins for Michael Penix Jr

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a disappointing 38-6 loss to the Denver Broncos. As they enter their bye week the Falcons now sit at 6-5, and are atop the NFC South. Despite that they can’t afford too many more losses as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are close behind and getting help with Mike Evans returning. With that, a quarterback change is needed.

Kirk Cousins has performed at a top-tier level this season, throwing for 2,807 yards and 17 touchdowns but nine interceptions with a 68.1% completion percentage. Yet, Cousins is coming off two subpar games, throwing for no touchdowns in either game, and just recently against Denver threw for just 173 yards over 18 completions. While he hasn’t thrown a touchdown in either game, he has thrown an interception in each. That level of play can’t continue on that trajectory for the Falcons to win the NFC South.

That is why they must bench Cousins, and start Michael Penix Jr.

Penix took over for Cousins in the game against the Broncos after Cousins was benched. In doing so he completed two-of-four passes for 24 yards. With Penix, he was efficient in college, and showed great poise throughout his college career. That poise showed up in the game against the Broncos as he was able to scramble when pressured and avoid a negative play and didn’t force throws either to put the ball in harm’s way. That athletic ability is something that Cousins can’t provide, and with Penix he can open up the offense more, especially when facing more pass rush heavy defenses, as defenses improve towards the playoff stretch.

Throughout his six seasons of playing at the college level, Penix has had more than enough experience to come in and start without too much of an adjustment period. Penix finished his college career passing for 13,727 yards and 96 touchdowns with just 34 interceptions. Penix is extremely accurate, with a career 73.1% completion rate and just a 2.1% turnover worthy play percentage. Between the efficiency Penix has as a passer, plus his mobility, the Falcons need to bench Cousins and start Penix.