"McCarthy was taken two spots after Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr, whom Atlanta sensationally selected despite signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative free agent contract earlier that offseason. Penix was taken eighth overall, and after replacing Cousins and impressing late last season, is now the full-time starter, though Week 1 ended in disappointment for Atlanta as the Falcons lost a thriller to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite a Penix touchdown run putting them ahead with just over two minutes to play."
"In addition dealing with a raucous Minnesota crowd, Penix will have to overcome an aggressive Viking defense if he is to get the better of McCarthy this time around. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is renowned for sending consistent waves of pressure at opposing quarterbacks, and he'll look to confuse the still relatively inexperienced Penix early and often in this one."
The Minnesota Vikings host the Atlanta Falcons in a primetime home opener featuring former college championship opponents J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. McCarthy earned a win in his first NFL start after missing his rookie year with a torn meniscus sustained in the 2024 preseason. Penix, drafted eighth overall after Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins, replaced Cousins and became the full-time starter despite a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers. Penix was the Washington quarterback in the 2023 National Championship Game and lost to McCarthy and Michigan. Vikings coordinator Brian Flores plans heavy pressure, and three Minnesota starters—Jeff Okudah, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman—are listed as injury doubts.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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