As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were fighting it out against a rebuilding New York Jets team that didn't trouble them very much, fans watching the rest of the Week 3 slate may have gotten a kick out of one of the top competitors in the NFC South humiliate themselves.
Even though Michael Penix Jr. and the much-hyped Atlanta Falcons were considered a favorite against the Carolina Panthers on the road, Raheem Morris' team completely laid an egg in a way that is only going to make Bucs fans pass out from laughing so hard.
Penix completed just 18 of his 36 passes for 172 yards and no touchdowns, all while throwing two of the worst interceptions you will ever see and looking hideously inaccurate when he isn't given a pristine pocket. Keep in mind that many consider Carolina to have the worst defense in the NFL.
With the Falcons down 27-0 late in the fourth quarter, Kirk Cousins and his all-time bad contract entered the game. Penix is still a very long way from emerging as a viable starting quarterback, which should shut down any immediate thoughts of Atlanta challenging Tampa Bay in the immediate future.
Michael Penix Jr's terrible Week 3 proves Falcons are no threat to Bucs
Even though Carolina picked up this victory, they are not going to be taken seriously as a contending team until they can prove that Bryce Young is anything more than a below-average quarterback. The New Orleans Saints are in the middle of a very long rebuild, and 2025 will be a very long year for them.
Atlanta not only had a defense that is much improved following the additions of James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, but their collection of skill position players on offense includes rising stars like Bijan Robinson and Drake London. A trigger-man who can get the ball out accurately would be quite an invaluable tool.
Instead, the Falcons are left with someone who has a hose for an arm in Penix, but has some questions related to both his durability and ability to accurately throw when there is pressure in the pocket. Carolina showed that he can be a very beatable quarterback at this juncture.
Even as the Bucs deal with some concerning injury problems on both sides of the ball, it seems as though fans can expect nothing less than another year of coasting through a very squishy NFC South thanks to Penix's ineptitude.