Sorting the Sunday Pile, NFL Week 16: Michael Penix Jr. has sneaky sparkling debut; Lions munch on moldy bread

Plus, the Commanders -- playoffs or not -- are in great shape at quarterback

The individual stats won't blow you away, but Michael Penix Jr.'s starting debut for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday was pretty darn impressive. The rookie, controversially taken No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and even more controversially inserted into the starting lineup after Atlanta benched Kirk Cousins this week, more than held his own in a late-season effort in a tough spot for a rookie. 

Yes, the opponent was easy -- the New York Giants are a very bad football team right now. Yes, the circumstances were ideal -- starting at home against a two-win team is the perfect place to begin your career. And yes, he did minimal damage from a stat standpoint -- Penix passed for just 202 yards, no touchdowns and a pick in the 34-7 beatdown of New York. 

But the stats don't tell the whole story, not by a lot. On the interception, Penix "made the mistake" of trying to target tight end Kyle Pitts, who he hit on the numbers, only to have the ball pop up in the air where it was snagged by Giants corner Cor'Dale Flott.