ATLANTA — Falcons coach Raheem Morris didn’t hesitate when he was asked when he saw something that confirmed his belief in Michael Penix Jr. after last week’s disastrous loss to Carolina.

“Monday, when he came to work,” Morris said. “I believed in him that day.”

Penix proved worthy of that belief in Atlanta’s 34-27 win over the short-handed Washington Commanders on Sunday. He threw for a career-high 313 yards, completing 20 of 26 passes with two touchdowns and one interception, and directed the Falcons to a season-high 435 yards of offense after they were shut out by the Panthers.

“What contributed to the response (was) the way the guys went about their business each and every day leading up to this game,” Penix said. “It showed true maturity and showed what this team is really about.”

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