The Atlanta Falcons fell 30-27 in overtime to the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, marking their fifth straight loss and dropping them to 3-7. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during the game, while wide receiver Drake London also exited with a PCL sprain. With both players sidelined, the Falcons now turn to Kirk Cousins as they face an uncertain future.
In a divisional matchup that went down to the wire, the Falcons hosted the Panthers on Sunday in Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season. Atlanta led 21-19 when Penix took a sack on third down in the third quarter, injuring his left knee. He aggravated a prior bone bruise and knee sprain, with reports indicating possible ACL damage that could require reconstruction. Penix, the former No. 8 overall pick, walked off the field but was placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. Before exiting, he completed 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Penix's season stats reflect struggles: in nine starts, he went 3-6 with a 60.1% completion rate, 1,982 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Falcons' offense ranks 16th in total yards (332.5 per game) and 27th in scoring (19.5 points per game). His injury history includes a right ACL tear in 2018 at Indiana, a fractured collarbone in 2019, a left A/C joint separation in 2021 at Washington, and the current left knee issue.
Kirk Cousins relieved Penix, going 6 of 14 for 48 yards. Cousins, who lost his starting job earlier, has appeared in three games this season, including a 34-10 loss to the Dolphins where he completed 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards and no scores.
The injuries compounded Atlanta's woes, as Drake London suffered a PCL sprain late in regulation after catching seven passes for 117 yards. He will miss at least Week 12 and leads the team with 60 receptions, 810 yards, and six touchdowns. Fellow receiver Darnell Mooney left with a rib injury, adding to depth issues after his collarbone fracture earlier. Tight end Kyle Pitts has 47 catches for 434 yards and one touchdown, while running back Bijan Robinson leads with 783 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 506 receiving yards, and two receiving scores, totaling 1,289 scrimmage yards (third in the NFL).
The loss highlights broader challenges, including a traded-away 2026 first-round pick to the Rams and coaching changes like firing wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard after Week 3. Atlanta's playoff odds in the NFC South have lengthened to +17500.
