MichaelPenix Jr.

News: 2 days agoPenix completed eight of 24 passes for 125 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing five times for 11 yards in the Falcons' 16-0 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He also fumbled once but recovered.

Spin: Penix endured a career-worst all-around game in rainy conditions after coming into the afternoon with just one interception in his first five games. Only two of Penix's four picks led to Buccaneers points -- and just a pair of field goals at that -- but the Falcons defense was helpless against Tampa Bay's ground attack in the shutout. Sunday's conditions were a clear outlier, so Penix should be expected to bounce back across the pond in a Week 9 matchup against a vulnerable Bengals secondary next Sunday in Madrid.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Penix is no longer guaranteed a starting job entering his third season. The 2024 first-round pick has appeared in 14 games and has 14 total touchdowns, a 21% off-target rate and a 60% completion percentage to show for it. Penix has done well to avoid turnovers (six career INTs), but he's a nonfactor with his legs (career 28-81-2 rushing) and failed to post a single fantasy outing better than 10th last season. Penix tore an ACL in Week 11, which further complicates his path to beating out newcomer Tua Tagovailoa for the team's Week 1 starting gig. The 26-year-old might eventually emerge into a fine NFL starter, but even if he does, his lack of rushing will limit his fantasy output. He's well off the fantasy radar.