Amid struggles of quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Atlanta Falcons are making a change to Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback.
The Atlanta Falcons are making a big change at quarterback. With Kirk Cousins struggling to move the ball and complete passes to his own teammates, the Falcons announced they will be starting rookie Michael Penix Jr. in week 16 versus the New York Giants.
Michael Penix Jr. was drafted 8th overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. At the time, the move was met with curiosity and plenty of raised eyebrows. After securing Kirk Cousins with a 4-year, $180 million contract the Falcons front office was met with plenty of incredulity.
Michael Penix will provide an instant boost to the passing game. His cannon of a left arm will give life to Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and hopefully resuscitate tight end Kyle Pitts. Kirk Cousins showed in recent weeks that he was unable to drive through is lower body to add zip to his passes. This will not be a problem for Michael Penix.
The Falcons offense will get a massive boost. Penix’s ability to sling the football will make life easier for Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier out of the backfield. Fire up all Falcons in week 16 versus the Giants.
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson logged at least...
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson amassed 135 ...
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson led the offense ...
The Atlanta Falcons have a quarterback conundrum on their hands.
In what is becoming a weekly routine, the Atlanta Falcons fall short in week 14 against the Vikings after a rough outing from Kirk Cousins. The Falcons lost decisively to the tune of 42-21. The calls for Michael Penix Jr. to start at quarterback are getting louder.
Kirk Cousins has thrown 8 interceptions in the last 4 games. While Cousins threw for 344 yards, he ended the day with zero touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. The Falcons have dropped their last 4 games and are now in 2nd place in the NFC East. The Falcons 6-7 record is a cause for concern, however Falcons skill position players remain viable in fantasy football.
Bijan Robinson has been ‘Cousins-proof’ with his fantasy output. The last 2 weeks, Bijan has totaled 25.5 and 20.1 fantasy points. Receiver Darnell Mooney had a superb day with 6 receptions and 142 receiving yards. Drake London had a respectable 70 yards receiving on 5 receptions.
The Falcons get the Raiders on the road in week 15. Aside from Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts, Falcons skill position players need to be in lineups. While Tyler Allgeier had a respectable 63 yards rushing and a touchdown, he is only a desperation flex unless he were to get the full workload via a Bijan Robinson injury.
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
Despite issues with quarterback play, Bijan Robinson continues to be an every week must start.
Bijan Robinson is having an excellent sophomore campaign. Bijan is the current RB-4 in fantasy football with no signs of slowing down.
In the heartbreaking 17-13 loss to the Chargers last week, Bijan Robinson continued to put up top tier fantasy numbers for his fantasy managers. Bijan came away with 25.5 fantasy points despite Kirk Cousins throwing for 4 interceptions and having only 2.1 fantasy points of his own.
Bijan is 4th in targets with 56 and 8th in carries with 193. Despite a 67% opportunity share, Bijan has feasted in 2024. Bijan has totaled 100 total yards in 6 out of the last 7 games. Bijan is also No.1 in yards created with 912.
This time of year the term ‘league winner’ gets thrown around for a handful of superior performers across fantasy football with favorability towards players who were drafted in the later rounds. Despite being a first round pick, Bijan Robinson is in contention to be a league winner across all formats with a juicy playoff schedule that includes the Raiders, Giants, and Commanders.
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
It was a forgettable day for the Falcons against Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos in week 11.
The Atlanta Falcons suffered a brutal loss to the Denver Broncos 38-6. Fantasy goodness was the furthest thing from the menu for Falcons players. Bo Nix carried the day for the Broncos with an 85% completion percentage against the banged up Falcons defense.
The Falcons were shut out of reaching the end zone on Sunday. Kirk Cousins managed 173 passing yards, 0 touchdown passes, and threw an interception. Drake London had a respectable 3 catches for 61 yards. London’s wide receiver counterpart Darnell Mooney left the game early with a hamstring injury.
Bijan Robinson had his 5 game streak of 100 total yards or more snapped. Bijan, who is agnostic to game script saw his opportunities slip away as the game wore on. Kyle Pitts managed 1 reception for 9 yards much to the chagrin of his fantasy managers.
The Falcons mercifully have a week 12 bye. Their fantasy football playoff schedule will certainly make this week 11 debacle a distant memory. From weeks 15-17 the Falcons will play on the road against the Raiders, home versus the Giants, and square off in Washington against the Commanders. Up against any trade deadlines, this is the last call for scooping up Falcons players in fantasy football before they soar to new heights!
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
Bijan Robinson is making a push to be the RB-1 on the season with 6 touchdowns in the last 5 games.
While the Atlanta Falcons suffered a disappointing loss to their division rival Saints, Bijan Robinson had a massive day as the RB-1 on the week in fantasy football. Bijan scored 2 touchdowns amassing 144 total yards to the tune of 29.4 fantasy points.
Bijan is the RB-3 on the season. From week’s 6-10 Bijan has 5 straight weeks of being the RB-9 or better. Bijan has 6 touchdowns in the last 5 games. As trade deadlines are approaching, Bijan Robinson is a buy high in redraft leagues. It will be very difficult to get Bijan Robinson in dynasty, however aim to find rebuilding teams who have Bijan on their roster. Two first round picks and another tangible piece in a trade will at least get the Bijan manager who is rebuilding to contemplate.
The Falcons fantasy playoff schedule from weeks 15-17 includes the Raiders on the road, home versus the lowly Giants, and travel to Washington to face the Commanders. This is as juicy a playoff schedule one could find giving Bijan Robinson a very good chance to finish as the RB-1 on the 2024 season.
-Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
The Atlanta Falcons have a juicy matchup for fantasy football in week 9 versus the Dallas Cowboys.
The Atlanta Falcons host the Dallas Cowboys in week 9. Kirk Cousins is the QB-11. Despite early struggles and questions regarding recovery from injury, Cousins has the Falcons at the top of the NFC South Standings at 5-3.
Kirk Cousins is a solid start in superflex leagues. A huge part of Cousins being a viable start this week is the ascension of tight end Kyle Pitts. Pitts is the TE-4 and is No.2 in our Explosive Rating metric with a score of 121 (EPX). Kyle Pitts is a must start against a struggling Cowboys defense. Kyle Pitts is our 6th ranked tight end this week.
Expect a bounce back week from Drake London who had only 7.4 fantasy points in week 8. London is the WR-5 and has earned the ‘start your studs’ moniker. Despite not having name brand equity, Darnell Mooney has earned every week starter status as he is the WR-13 on the season. Late round drafters have reaped significant benefits from having Darnell Mooney on their rosters.
While this game will provide plenty of attack through the air, Bijan Robinson is set up for an absolute smash game. Bijan is the RB-4 on the season. Bijan is ranked No. 3 in running back receiving yards (244), receptions (31), and evaded tackles (39). Bijan ranks No.1 in yards created at 647. Don’t be surprised if Bijan is the RB-1 overall this week. Tyler Allgeier is also in play as this game could get out of hand and provide the Falcons a chance to run the clock out.
Start Atlanta Falcons players with confidence across the board. The reward of the spike weeks are far more valuable than the dud weeks from week to week variance.
