Kirk Cousins benched by Falcons, Michael Penix Jr. to start against Giants

With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance the Falcons are benching Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons are 7-7 on the NFL season, thanks to Monday night’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The win kept Atlanta just one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South division standings, and having swept the season series against the Buccaneers the Falcons own the first tiebreaker against their NFC South rivals.

They are also making a major change at quarterback.

After struggling in recent weeks, including a four-game losing streak, Kirk Cousins is headed to the bench in favor of rookie passer Michael Penix Jr. Head coach Raheem Morris termed the move a “football decision” in a statement released on social media:

Cousins completed 11-of-17 passes for 112 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in Monday night’s 15-9 win over the Raiders. On the season the veteran quarterback — who was signed by the Falcons to the tune of a four-year, $180 million deal this offseason — has completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns, against 16 interceptions.

When the Falcons made the surprising decision to draft Penix in the first round last spring many questioned the move, wondering why Atlanta would add a first-round quarterback right after signing Cousins.

Now they are hoping that move saves their season.