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In a matchup between teams with rookie quarterbacks and playoff implications, the Washington Commanders will host the Atlanta Falcons for Sunday Night Football.
With a win, the Commanders can clinch a playoff berth, while the Falcons need a victory to stay ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the top spot in the NFC South.
Jayden Daniels’ electric play has re-energized Washington’s franchise. He’s helped change the outcome of two contests on game-winning plays, throwing a last-second Hail Mary touchdown pass to beat the Chicago Bears in Week 8 and a late touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder last week.
In the short term, Michael Penix Jr. has brought new life to the Falcons’ aerial attack. In his debut last week, he threw for 202 yards and an interception, though tight end Kyle Pitts deserves the blame for bobbling a pass that led to the turnover.
Penix looked poised in his first career start though. Atlanta injected him into the starting lineup amid a playoff push, and he doesn’t look rattled under center.
Knox took extra time to think about his lean for this game, and he trusts Commanders head coach Dan Quinn more than a rookie quarterback in his second start.