The Atlanta Falcons entered Sunday with a chance to clinch their first playoff berth since 2017. They left Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., with heartbreak. Atlanta (8-8) fell 30-24 in overtime to the Washington Commanders (11-5) on Sunday Night Football,

The Falcons have Penix set up well with an excellent run game led by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, good players to throw to like Drake London and Darnell Mooney (and maybe even Kyle Pitts if he can finally put it all together) and a sound offensive line to keep him upright. That will matter as Penix finds himself as an NFL quarterback.

PM ET game airing live on NBC, bookmakers have posted player prop bets for Michael Penix Jr.. Penix’s Atlanta Falcons (8-7) and the Washington Commanders (10-5)

Penix, 24, announced his engagement to his girlfriend, now fiancée, Olivia Carter, over the weekend. In a joint post on Instagram, the couple shared proposal photos.

The Atlanta Falcons are turning to rookie Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback and benching veteran Kirk Cousins as they fight for their first playoff berth since 2017.

The Falcons surprisingly selected Penix with the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. The pick wasn't a surprise because of Penix's résumé so much as the team's $180 million signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier in the offseason. After a rough 14 games to begin his Falcons career, Atlanta benched Cousins for Penix.

The Atlanta Falcons were hoping for a much different result Sunday night against the Washington Commanders. Needing to win their final two games to secure the NFC South crown and a playoff berth, the Falcons faltered.