Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (9) dove for the team’s first touchdown of the game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Photo by One Circle Ent./The Atlanta VoiceThe 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. Penix passed for 312 yards with two touchdowns (both to receiver Drake London) and an interception during the 44-38 loss to the Panthers on Sunday. The latter statistic came out of the hands of receiver Ray-Ray McCloud after Penix, Jr. found him for a first round. That play was similar to an interception Penix, Jr. was credited for when tight end Kyle Pitts caught then dropped a Penix, Jr. pass at the goal line a few weeks ago. With Atlanta finishing the season 8-9 (a seventh consecutive season under .500) it is hard to find many bright spots, but after the game Penix, Jr. said the fans should be optimistic about what is to come from this team. Asked what message he wants to pass along to the Falcons fan base, Penix was positive in his response.“The message is to continue to believe,” Penix, Jr. said following the Falcons 44-38 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Jan. 5. “Man, we just got to believe.” For the season Penix, Jr., who started the final three games of the season following the benching of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, passed for 775 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. Asked how he would grade his performance during his three starts, Penix, Jr. said there is a lot to work on during the offseason, “but I’m definitely going to look “There’s a lot to work on, there’s a lot to learn from, and a lot of things that I’m definitely going to go back over and look at throughout this offseason,” Penix said. Michael Penix, Jr. passed for 775 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions this season. Penix, Jr. started the final three regular season games for Atlanta. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta VoicePenix, Jr. took time to give credit to London for the game he played on Sunday and for the development of their connection. London finished the game with 10 receptions for 187 yards, while also passing the 100-reception mark for the season. For the season Drake caught those 100 passes for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns. Asked about the connection between Penix, Jr. and London, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told The Atlanta Voice he was pleased.“It was absolutely outstanding watching those guys wheel and deal today,” Morris said. “If you’re a fan you have to be excited.” During the loss to Carolina there were several times Penix, Jr. and London hooked up for big plays. Their first touchdown connection came late in the first half and gave the Falcons a 24-17 lead right before halftime. The second Penix-to-London touchdown tied the game at 31. During several drives that ended in touchdens by second-year running back Bijan Robinson (1,456 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns), Penix. Jr. found London for first downs and big gains deep in Carolina territory. During his postgame press conference Penix, Jr. said he was looking forward to the offseason to prepare for next season and to further strengthen his connection with London, Robinson, Pro Bowl receiver and special teams standout KhaDarel Hodge, and others. “I’m going back to the drawing board to look and see what I can do better,” Penix. Jr. said.  The post Michael Penix, Jr. to Falcons fans: ‘Continue to Believe’ appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.