The Falcons are coming off an impressive win over the Giants in Penix’s first start

Penix, who was named the starter this week ahead of veteran Kirk Cousins, completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards. He had one interception and finished with a passer rating of 73.4.

Giants quarterback Drew Lock was 22 of 39 for 201 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 58.7.

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson ran 22 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Drake London each had five receptions for 82 and 59 yards, respectively. London suffered a hamstring injury late on and did not return.

New kicker Riley Patterson was 2 of 3 on his field goal attempts.

With their rookie quarterback at the helm, the Falcons got off to a slow start. But at halftime the Falcons had a 17-7 lead thanks to a defensive touchdown.

Penix drove the offense to the Giants’ 25 on the first drive, but things stalled. Patterson missed a 43-yard field goal attempt wide left.

The defense started with a three-and-out, but the Falcons’ offense was forced to punt after picking up a first down.

The Giants, mostly running the ball and throwing screen passes, put together a good-looking 14-play drive that covered 70 yards. Lock threw a 2-yard pass to running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. on the first play of the second quarter.

On the ensuing drive, Patterson hit a 52-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 10:36 left in the second quarter.

On the Giants’ next possession, Bates intercepted Lock and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. Patterson’s extra point made it 10-7 with 7:56 left in the second quarter.

After forcing a punt, Robinson scored a 4-yard touchdown to make it 17-7.

The Falcons had another scoring opportunity after linebacker Kaden Elliss had a sack strip that was tied up by Arnold Ebiketie at the Giants’ 32-yard line.

The Falcons pushed to the Giants 7, but tight end Kyle Pitts bobbled a pass that was intercepted by Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott.

On the second play of the third quarter, Falcons defensive tackle Zach Harrison threw a pass upfield. Matthew Judon intercepted the pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown.

After forcing a punt, the Falcons offense picked up steam again. Robinson capped a 12-play, 69-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 31-7 with 7:14 left in the third quarter.

For Robinson it was his ninth and tenth touchdown runs of the season. They are the fastest touchdowns by a Falcons player since Devonta Freeman scored 11 touchdowns in 2016. Michael “The Burner” Turner holds the team record with 17 rushing touchdowns in 2008.

Patterson added a 37-yard field goal with 10:47 to play in the fourth quarter.

In a game with NFC playoff implications, the Falcons will face the Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sunday at 8:20 p.m.