Michael Penix Jr. Says Falcons Are 'Really Legit' After Win vs. Bills, '1 of the Ones'

Atlanta Falcons second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suggested that his team's home victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night was a statement win for the franchise.

Speaking to reporters after the Falcons' 24-14 triumph, Penix said: "It showed that we're one of the ones. This team is really good. This team is really legit."

Despite being without two key offensive contributors in wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud, Atlanta piled up 443 yards of total offense against Buffalo's beleaguered defense.

The Bills had no answers for wide receiver Drake London, who accounted for 170 of Penix's 250 passing yards, plus his only passing touchdown of the game.

On top of that, running back Bijan Robinson ran wild, rushing for 170 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown. He also had six receptions for 68 yards, and No. 2 running back Tyler Allgeier contributed as well with 32 yards and a score on the ground.

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Buffalo was without several key contributors on defense with linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones missing the game, and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston and defensive tackle T.J. Sanders on injured reserve. The Bills also lost linebacker and team captain Terrel Bernard to injury during the game.

As impressive as Atlanta's offense was, the defense may have been the even bigger story, given that it held the high-powered Bills offense to just 291 total yards. The Falcons also forced two turnovers and held Buffalo to 2-of-9 conversions on third down.

Bills superstar quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen was under siege all night, being pressured on 47.1 percent of his dropbacks, per ESPN Research (h/t ESPN's Marc Raimondi).

The Falcons lead the NFL in total defense with 253.4 yards allowed per game, and they are tied for seventh in scoring defense with 20.0 points allowed per contest.

If Penix continues to run the offense as efficiently as he did Monday, the Falcons seemingly have a strong chance to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

At 3-2 and coming off a win over a Buffalo team that has won five consecutive AFC East titles and reached the AFC Championship Game last season, Atlanta's confidence figures to be through the roof heading into next weekend's road clash with the San Francisco 49ers.