While of a lot of the focus from the Falcons’ win over the Giants on Sunday has been on the debut of Michael Penix Jr. as the team’s starting quarterback, the performance of their defense had the biggest impact on Sunday’s 34-7 win and may have been the best-case scenario for the rookie quarterback to help ease him into his starting role.
“The Falcons’ defense, the most lackluster pass rush in the NFL is not that anymore,” Steak Shapiro said on Monday as he and Drew Butler reacted to the Falcons’ win and shared their thoughts on how well their defense has played the past four games, having totaled 16 sacks, a big jump from heading into Week 13 with a team total 13 sacks.
On Sunday, the turnaround play of the Falcons’ defense may have been even more significant in helping Penix Jr. take over at the quarterback position as two pick-6’s and a trip sack fumble recovery would lead the Falcons jumping out to a 24-7 lead in the third quarter, helping the Falcons play with a lead the entire game following the first interception returned for a touchdown by Jessie Bates III, which led them to a 10-7 lead.
“Your defense is legitimately getting after the quarterback. They are a factor, they are a turnover factor, you’re not going to win with a team that’s last in the league in sacks,” Shapiro added.
