Latest Raheem Morris News

Penix and the Falcons at Daniels and the Commanders in prime-time meeting of 1st-round rookie QBs

Dec. 26, 2024 12:14 PM EST

Atlanta (8-7) at Washington (10-5) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC BetMGM NFL odds: Commanders by 4 Against the spread: Falcons 7-8; Commanders 9-6 Series record: Washington leads 18-10-1 Last meeting: Commanders beat Falcons...

Falcons drafting Penix no longer a head-scratcher with rookie QB shining in place of benched Cousins

Dec. 24, 2024 15:26 PM EST

The Atlanta Falcons drafting of Michael Penix Jr. just six weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a $180 million contract doesn't seem like that much of a head-scratcher anymore. Penix, the eighth overall pick in this year's draft, was supposed to serve as Cousins' understudy for a year...

With rookie QB Penix showing poise in starting debut, the Falcons again control their playoff hopes

Dec. 23, 2024 18:05 PM EST

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are back in first place in the NFC South and again in control of their playoff hopes. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed the poise in his first NFL start the Falcons will need to take advantage of their opportunity to end a six-year...

Penix wins debut as Atlanta QB as Falcons return two picks for TDs, beat hapless Giants 34-7

Dec. 22, 2024 23:56 PM EST

ATLANTA (AP) — Michael Penix Jr. felt a brief bit of apprehension as he ran down the tunnel, which was to be expected. Then he played like a veteran for the Atlanta Falcons. Penix's first NFL start went about as smoothly as it could, helped greatly by a defense that...

Don't write off Kirk Cousins just yet despite his benching: Analysis

Dec. 20, 2024 06:01 AM EST

Kirk Cousins didn’t forget how to play quarterback. He just didn’t do it well enough often enough to keep his job in Atlanta. Don’t write off the veteran just yet. There’s no sugarcoating the way Cousins played over the past five games. He struggled mightily,...

Exit Cousins, Enter Penix: Falcons make stunning QB switch with 3 games left in the season

Dec. 19, 2024 18:25 PM EST

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have a new leader in their push for the playoffs. Exit Kirk Cousins. Enter Michael Penix Jr. In a move that would've been unimaginable midway through the season, the Falcons have handed...

Falcons' Cousins says he 'didn't forget how to play quarterback' after losing starting job to Penix

Dec. 18, 2024 19:48 PM EST

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Kirk Cousins was signed to a massive four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons because he was perceived to be the missing piece at quarterback for a team that otherwise was ready for a return to the playoffs. Cousins lost his starting job to rookie Michael...

Falcons sign kicker Riley Patterson after Younghoe Koo placed on injured reserve

Dec. 18, 2024 14:16 PM EST

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons placed kicker Younghoe Koo on injured reserve on Wednesday and signed kicker Riley Patterson from Cleveland's practice squad. Koo battled a right hip injury earlier in the season, but the Falcons did not say if that was the injury that...

Falcons name rookie Michael Penix Jr. as starting QB, benching veteran Kirk Cousins

Dec. 17, 2024 21:52 PM EST

ATLANTA (AP) — 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. Coach Raheem Morris announced the decision in a statement Tuesday night. ...

Falcons turn to Penix at QB as they try to keep NFC South title hopes alive

Dec. 17, 2024 21:46 PM EST

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta is a contender in the weak NFC South despite another shaky performance from quarterback Kirk Cousins that led the Falcons to bench him in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. An ugly 15-9 win at the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night moved the Falcons to 7-7, one...