Storylines to follow in Giants vs. Falcons

Without a doubt, the performance of wide receiver Malik Nabers has been one of the bright spots of the Giants’ 2024 campaign. The rookie wideout caught 10 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown against the Ravens last week, marking his third double-digit catch game of the season and his first since Week 4. With three games remaining on the schedule, Nabers finds himself tied with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers for the rookie lead in receptions with 90 (and in two fewer games), while his 901 receiving yards rank third among rookies.

Not only is Nabers among the top performing rookies this season, but the No. 6 overall pick is also chasing history in these final three games, in terms of both franchise and NFL history. His 90 receptions are the second-highest total by an NFL player in his first 12 career games, and is only one behind Odell Beckham Jr.’s record of 91 catches set in 2014. Nabers needs just two total receptions over the final three weeks to set a new franchise rookie record, which is currently held by Beckham and Saquon Barkley (2018).

Nabers also finds himself just 15 receptions behind Puka Nacua for the all-time NFL rookie record of 105 receptions, set last season. He could become the fourth rookie receiver in history with 100+ catches, joining Nacua, Jaylen Waddle (104 catches with Miami in 2021) and Anquan Boldin (101 with Arizona in 2003).

Penix to make first career start

As mentioned in the intro, the Falcons made news Tuesday night when they announced that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was being benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta raised some eyebrows during the offseason when they selected the quarterback out of Washington with the eighth overall pick in the draft less than two months after signing Cousins to a large, multi-year contract. In 14 games this year, Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a league-high 16 interceptions, which paved the way for head coach Raheem Morris to make the decision to turn to the rookie.

After beginning his college career at Indiana, Penix spent his final two years at Washington, where he put together his two best seasons. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound lefty threw for 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022, before following that up with 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year. His passing yards in his final season led the nation and helped him earn a runner-up finish in the Heisman Trophy voting, along with the Maxwell Award, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding player, and a selection as first-team All-American.

While he isn’t necessarily a big rushing threat, Penix is able to move around the pocket much better than the veteran quarterback at this point in his career. More importantly, the rookie excelled with throwing the deep ball at Washington. One of Penix’s biggest attributes heading into the NFL Draft was his ability to accurately throw the ball down the field. With the defense struggling in this area throughout the season, the Giants will have to keep an eye out for these deep shots down the field on Sunday, especially when the Falcons use play action. While at Washington, Penix put up some of his strongest numbers when using play action, which the Falcons will likely look to replicate with the rookie quarterback.

“He’s a very productive player,” Daboll said Monday about his thoughts on the young quarterback heading into this year’s draft. “He could throw it in all three levels. Very accurate. Obviously, had a lot of good players around him. But I thought he really gave those guys chances down the field. Intermediate throws, threw the ball effortlessly. Was athletic. I wouldn’t say they used him on a lot of runs, more of a drop-back, play-action guy. But fairly athletic enough to do a variety of things. Met with him, had a good meeting. Smart. Instinctive. I thought he had a pretty good pro day, I was at his pro day. So, I thought he was a good prospect.”