ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. is as advertised.
Ever since the Atlanta Falcons drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall pick last year, the quarterback has been consistently described as cool, calm and collected. He showed glimpses of that demeanor as a rookie. But the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 1 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers left no doubt he is exactly all that under pressure.
"He's been poised in great moments, he's been poised in big moments, and he's been poised in moments like that," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "I can't say enough positive things about the young man and what he is able to do — even up until his last throw, potentially giving us a chance to win it in regulation."
Ultimately, they didn't. The Buccaneers won, 23-20, inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons ate most of the clock in the final period thanks to an 18-play scoring drive that began at their own 9-yard line and ended with a 4-yard scramble from Penix across the goal line. That's 91 yards of progress, even if 30 of them were gifted from Buccaneers penalties. It was easily the longest series of the game.
The touchdown put the Falcons up by three points with about two minutes remaining.
"Obviously you say 18 plays, you don't really see that too often," Penix said. "So, for the O-line and the receivers and everybody that's running routes to be able to still continue to come out there and go full speed and play at a high level on Play 13, 14, 15, 16, it's great to see.
"I'll put a shoutout to our strength and conditioning team making sure we're ready for those moments when we got to be out on the field for a little bit longer than we're used to."
Get an inside look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during Week 1, presented by Grady.
The Buccaneers did the opposite on their answering drive, quickly turning around to score on a five-play, 63-yard drive within a minute's time. They missed their point-after attempt, which meant the Falcons trailed by three points with 57 seconds remaining.
A field goal would have triggered overtime. A touchdown would have won it.
"We were looking to score," Penix said. "We wanted to score."
Atlanta tried.
The Falcons consistently moved the chains from their own 26-yard line to the same point on the Buccaneers' side of the field. From there, Penix attempted back-to-back deep passes to wide receivers Casey Washington and KhaDarel Hodge in the end zone, but neither connected. Kicker Younghoe Koo was then called upon for a 44-yard field goal that he missed, solidifying the Buccaneers' victory.
Penix completed 27 of his 42 pass attempts for 298 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded six carries for 21 yards and the touchdown. He didn't throw an interception, and he was only sacked once.
"I thought he played like an absolute stud," left tackle Jake Matthews said. "Just his determination, the way he led us offensively and what he showed today. I think he going to do — continue to do — really good things for us."
Sunday marked Penix's fourth career start. He took over starting responsibilities in Week 16 last year when the Falcons benched veteran Kirk Cousins due to performance issues. Penix spent all offseason and preseason working to be the best leader he can in his new role.
QB1 proved he's ready.
"I know whenever I go out there, I don't have to be perfect," Penix said. "But I have to do whatever I can to help my team win a football game. And that's what I did."
