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.

Panthers QB Bryce Young denied the Falcons the division title, then shared his reaction to out-performing Michael Penix Jr.

Early in the drive, Penix rifled a pass between multiple Panthers defenders to wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, who made an acrobatic catch on the sideline while keeping his feet inbounds. Watch Hodge’s catch below, as shared by the team’s social media account.

Penix found London in the back corner of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown strike to put the Atlanta Falcons ahead, 24-17, on the Carolina Panthers with 37 seconds left in the

Back-to-back overtime losses to Washington and Carolina left rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and the Atlanta Falcons with a losing record and out of the playoffs.

The Falcons have retaken the lead at halftime against the Carolina Panthers. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. connected on a jump ball to Drake London for a 20-yard touchdown to give Atlanta a 24-17 lead over Carolina.

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.

In Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers, Penix dropped back on a 1st-and-10 at Atlanta's 27-yard line and fired a pass to wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III early in the third quarter. McCloud bobbled the ball, which Panthers cornerback Michael Jackson intercepted. The pass was a little low, but it was still catchable.

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,

The Atlanta Falcons did not qualify for the playoffs again this season. Despite the seven-year streak continuing, there are many things to feel good about this past season. One of those feel-good moments came from rookie quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., who played well during the season finale.

If Sunday’s game is a glimpse of what’s to come, Michael Penix Jr. and Bryce Young will be battling for years in the NFC South. Both quarterbacks proved that they can make big plays when it counts. A rookie with only his third career start,

Carolina Panthers cornerback Michael Jackson intercepts the Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix pass intended for wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III.