The Atlanta Falcons took a swing. They had just signed Kirk Cousins earlier in the 2024 offseason, but with the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL Draft, they chose another quarterback, Michael Penix Jr.
They may have whiffed.
That’s the premise explored by ESPN’s Ben Solak in a new article on Tuesday, and it’s not a lot of positive.
Solak acknowledges the importance of a QB on a rookie-scale contract. It’s a tried-and-true roster construction in the NFL, if the quarterback can play.
Penix has struggled to prove that he’s reliable, though.
“Penix simply hasn’t looked like an eighth overall pick,” Solak writes. “Yes, he can throw the ball with impressive velocity — arm strength is his cardinal trait, and a player with his velocity and release speed will have a place in the NFL for a while. But he doesn’t move much and is one of the league’s worst quarterbacks when pressured. He doesn’t make fast decisions in the pocket, either, which makes him particularly shaky against the blitz — 27th among 33 quarterbacks this season in dropback success rate when blitzed. And to this point, he doesn’t have NFL-caliber accuracy.”
Solak examined Penix in the context of 10th pick J.J. McCarthy and 12th pick Bo Nix.
That trio, relative to the top-five choices of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, hasn’t looked nearly as good.
Sure, you’d expect QBs 4, 5 and 6 off the board to potentially be not as good. But were they overpays simply because they were quarterbacks?
And in Atlanta, with that recent investment of $180 million in Kirk Cousins, was it worth it?
Penix still has time. He’s made 11 career starts.
But if he doesn’t turn it around soon, there will start to be chatter of finding yet another quarterback, and that’s not ideal at all.
“Boston’s dominance continues, and the Bruins show no signs of slowing down!”
The Boston Bruins are on fire, extending their league-leading win streak to an impressive seven games after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3. The only team that can match Boston’s impressive run right now is the Anaheim Ducks. With this win, the Bruins are solidifying their place among the league’s top contenders.
Pavel Zacha, Hampus Lindholm, Alex Steeves, and David Pastrnak all scored, while Jeremy Swayman made 30 saves in a performance that never allowed the Bruins to fall behind. This dominant display not only secured the win but also reinforced Boston’s spot as one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
Three Key Takeaways from Boston’s 5-3 Win Against Toronto
Pastrnak’s Spectacular Night
Captain-in-waiting Pavel Pastrnak had a night to remember, scoring twice and making a game-changing impact. His first goal of the night was especially significant, as it marked his 400th career NHL goal. At 19:11 of the second period, Pastrnak entered the offensive zone without resistance, fending off the Maple Leafs’ backup goalie Dennis Hildeby (who replaced Anthony Stolarz after the starting goalie was injured) and slamming home a goal to extend the lead to 4-1. His teammates rushed to congratulate him, and TD Garden erupted with celebration.
His second goal came at a crucial moment, as the Maple Leafs had fought back to close the gap to just one goal, thanks to strikes from Bobby McMann and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. But Pastrnak wasn’t about to let Toronto complete the comeback. With a wrist shot that snuck past Hildeby, Pastrnak sealed the win for the Bruins, putting them ahead 5-3.
Bruins’ Dominance Over Toronto
This victory felt eerily familiar. Just three nights earlier, the Bruins also beat the Maple Leafs in a similar fashion. Boston jumped out to a commanding lead, Toronto fought back, and then the Bruins crushed any hope of a comeback with a decisive goal—one of which came from Pastrnak. Does this sound familiar? It should, as the trend has been ongoing for years. The Bruins triumphed over the Maple Leafs in a thrilling seven-game series in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and since 2011, Boston holds a 33-22 regular-season record against Toronto. The Maple Leafs just can’t seem to crack the Bruins’ code.
Lindholm: The Bruins’ Linchpin
Hampus Lindholm’s importance to the Bruins cannot be overstated. He scored the opening goal in the second period, but his impact goes far beyond the score sheet. With Lindholm on the ice, the Bruins have a remarkable 9-1 record this season. While he’s only registered four points in 10 games, his presence on the ice elevates the entire team’s performance. The difference in the Bruins’ overall play with Lindholm compared to without him is undeniable—he has become an integral part of their defensive strength and overall success.
As the Bruins continue to dominate the NHL, their blend of star performances from players like Pastrnak and Lindholm, along with stellar goaltending from Swayman, keeps them a step ahead of the competition. If they maintain this level of play, there’s no telling how far this team can go.