Michael Penix Debut: Live Updates from Giants at Falcons

ATLANTA — For the Atlanta Falcons, the future is now.

Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is making his first NFL start at 1 p.m. Sunday against the New York Giants inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced Tuesday night that Penix, drafted No. 8 overall by Atlanta in the spring, will be the team’s starter “moving forward.” He replaces 36-year-old veteran Kirk Cousins, who threw an NFL-high 16 interceptions in 14 starts.

Penix has appeared in two games this season -- a pair of blowout losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos -- and completed 3-of-5 passes for 38 yards.

For his first NFL start, Falcons on SI is documenting each important moment of Penix's Sunday afternoon, from his entrance to the field to his departure from the stadium

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4:43 p.m.: Penix, back in the locker room, takes a phone call with another reporter. He asks if that's everything once he's off the phone, and once given confirmation, departs the team's locker room -- while wishing a few reporters happy holidays on his way out of the building.

4:30 p.m.: Penix exits the locker room and heads to the media room, handling questions about his play and what clicked on his strong debut.

4:05 p.m.: Penix walks into the locker room past a row of cheering fans in the tunnel, his jersey pulled up, his first start over and his stardom growing after Atlanta's 34-7 win.

3:20 p.m.: Another drive, another score. Falcons kicker Riley Patterson nails a 37-yard field goal, and Atlanta's lead grows to 34-7. Penix and the Falcons' offense have run at least five plays and picked up 20 or more yards on each possession thus far.

2:57 p.m.: Touchdown, Falcons -- running back Bijan Robinson scores from two yards out. It's the second time Penix has led a touchdown drive, and Atlanta's lead extends to 31-7.

2:50 p.m.: The whistle blows, and Penix is back on the field for his first drive of the second half -- this team, leading 24-7 after a pick-six from outside linebacker Matt Judon.

2:23 p.m.: Tight end Kyle Pitts had it, then he didn't. Penix's pass hit Pitts in the hands, but it was knocked away and into the air -- and intercepted. Atlanta's promising red zone trip falls scoreless, and Penix's first NFL interception comes in strange fashion.

2:11 p.m.: Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews pats Penix on the helmet as he goes to celebrate in the endzone with the rest of the offense after running back Bijan Robinson's four-yard rushing score. The play capped Penix's first touchdown drive as a professional, starter or not.

2:02 p.m.: Penix begins his fourth drive with the lead. The Falcons took a 10-7 advantage on a pick-six by safety Jessie Bates III, and after a defensive stop, Penix and the offense have a chance to keep the momentum rolling. Penix's first pass is a 15-yard completion to receiver Darnell Mooney rolling left.

1:37 p.m.: For the first time, Penix trails. He takes the field down 7-0 after a Giants touchdown, and he immediately responds, throwing a 22-yard bullet to receiver Darnell Mooney. The drive ended five minutes later, as Penix's pass to Mooney was just a touch low on third-and-9. but Atlanta scored points on a 52-yard field goal from kicker Riley Patterson.

1:18 p.m.: The Falcons are forced to punt on Penix's second possession. He picked up 1-yard on a scramble, one that he appeared reluctant to partake in but was left with no choice.

1:08 p.m.: Penix walks off the field after his first drive as an NFL starter. He led the offense to the Giants' 25-yard line, but new kicker Riley Patterson, who signed with the team Wednesday in place of the injured Younghoe Koo, hooked a 43-yard field goal.

1:05 p.m.: Penix over the middle to receiver Drake London for a 19-yard gain on third-and-7 -- the first completion of Penix's first NFL start.

1:02 p.m.: "Here we go," shouts the public address announcer as Penix takes the field for the first time.

12:58 p.m.: Moments after the National Anthem, Penix and Cousins begin throwing on the sideline -- all the way through the coin toss.

12:52 p.m.: Penix takes the field. The Falcons introduce their starting defense one-by-one, and Penix waits at the end of the line near midfield, high-fiving each as they run onto the field.

12:30 p.m.: Penix enters the locker room. The next time he returns, he'll be moments away from his NFL starting debut.

12:20 p.m.: The quarterbacks warmed up both the Falcons' receivers and cornerbacks. Cousins stood in the endzone while Penix was at midfield. Penix went directly from taking photos with family and friends to welcoming Atlanta's offensive linemen onto the field.

12:11 p.m.: Penix and Cousins emerge from the locker room together. They stop in the tunnel for a moment, putting their heads and clenched hands together. They run onto the field to a loud cheer from a sparse crowd.

11:36 a.m.: After completing his first warmup phase, Penix chats with family members and friends on the sideline before entering the locker room a few minutes later.

11:25 a.m.: Penix again resumes throwing to his pass catchers after a stretch period.

11:15 a.m.: Penix starts throwing passes to officially begin warmups. Receiver Drake London joins him to catch passes before they begin stretching.

11:07 a.m.: Cousins emerges from the tunnel for the first time as backup.

11:04 a.m.: Penix takes the field. He walks around the field once, muttering words into his phone -- either to himself or someone else -- and taking a brief stop at the end of the endzone on Atlanta's sideline. When he finished his first lap, he started doing arm-circles and began throwing.

10:55 a.m.: Not Penix related, but Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot emerged from the tunnel next to each other and shared a chat while watching receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney catch passes.