Atlanta rookie Michael Penix Jr. completed 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards in the Falcons’ 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Friday night. This game was the first preseason match for both teams.
Penix, who was drafted eighth overall from Washington, started and played through the first five drives. He made a 41-yard pass to receiver Chris Blair down the sideline midway through the first quarter, which was his longest throw of the game.
“It was fun to be able to be out there competing with my brothers,” Penix said. “Playing the game since I was 5 years old. No nerves. No jitters. I was just ready to go.”
Penix led two drives that resulted in scores: a 39-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo and a 1-yard touchdown run by Carlos Washington. Taylor Heinicke took over for Penix with 6:40 left in the second quarter.
“There are some things I definitely want to get better,” Penix said. “I felt I executed the offense the best that I could. Just trying to get points on the board whenever I’m out there.”
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Tyreek Hill were not in uniform for Miami. Tagovailoa signed a four-year extension, and Hill had his contract restructured during training camp.
“We had some defensive players play out of position because of some depth issues,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “So it was good to see our guys get a win in front of the home fans.”
Besides Penix’s first game, it was also the coaching debut for the Falcons’ Raheem Morris.
“We got a chance look at these guys go out and make some plays,” Morris said. “I saw many positive things.”
Jason Sanders kicked field goals of 58 and 47 yards for the Dolphins, who took the lead with 14 straight points in the second quarter. Miami rookie running back Jaylen Wright had 10 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Skylar Thompson’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Wilson Jr. tied the game at 10. Wright then ran it in from 6 yards after linebacker Isaiah Mack recovered Heinicke’s fumbled snap.
