Atlanta Falcons legend Matt Ryan is one of the most prodigious quarterbacks in NFL history, doomed by bad defenses his entire career.

Except for the Browns and the Cowboys, no NFL team surpassed the Falcons this season for getting less bang for its buck. Translated: The Falcons are clueless.

The Falcons would not have gotten into the postseason anyway due to the 44-38 overtime loss, but both games were much closer than many anticipated. The rookie QB finished his third start with 312 passing yards, two touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr. will make his third start for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It probably will be the final start of his rookie season, but that’s enough for head coach Raheem Morris to feel validated for selecting Penix eighth in last year’s draft.

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Michael Penix Jr.’s former head coach and offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer was in attendance for Sunday’s finale

For the seventh straight season, the Atlanta Falcons will not be participating in the postseason. That’s a sign of a truly incompetent franchise; however, for the first time since Matt Ryan was forced out several years ago,

Finally, head coach Raheem Morris benched Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. The Falcons offense took a major leap with Penix under center, but they still finished with an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season.

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and now Analyst for the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network Dave Archer tells The Morning Shift why he thinks Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took the next step as an NFL quarterback yesterday.

Despite another campaign marred by catastrophic blunders, there’s a radiant light shining at the end of the tunnel in Michael Penix Jr. The rookie quarterback stepped in the place of Kirk Cousins for the final three games of the season and performed better than anybody could have possibly imagined,