In the three weeks since Michael Penix Jr. has returned to the field, Drake London has produced like one of the best receivers in football. Across the first two weeks, he failed to eclipse 51 receiving yards, but he's been over 90 in the last three games, a testament to the Atlanta Falcons' franchise QB.
Every weekend he does his thing regardless of the cornerbacks he's going up against because Penix is always looking in his direction--so only Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, and CeeDee Lamb have more yards than him. But the good news is that his numbers are about to get a boost in Week 6.
And with the Falcons set to host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the CB1 who will be shadowing him has him on the brink of going nuclear. London will spend most of the day being shadowed by two-time Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson, but believe it or not, that's the best matchup he could possibly get.
Just a few years ago, Johnson was a shutdown corner and one of the best in the business. But his decline is a testament just to how fast things can change in the NFL. Last season, he was hampered by soft tissue injuries and never returned the same player to the point he's basically unrecognizable.
He can hardly run anymore and because of how slow he's become, he can't keep up in coverage. The guy is absolutely cooked, but all that means is that London is about to have a field day on Sunday afternoon.
Drake London is going to give Jaylon Johnson and the Bears a long day
Frankly, it wouldn't shock me if Drake London goes for 200 receiving yards in what should be a high-scoring game against a Bears team with a talented offense and not a lot going for them on defense. And since this is the case, it will make Penix's (and in turn London's) life a whole lot easier on Sunday.
Entering Week 6, Jaylon Johnson has given up the fourth-most receiving yards among cornerbacks, trailng only Jarrian Jones, DJ Reed, and Mike Hughes. The guy has been a traffic cone out there. He's giving up almost 60 yards a game, and that's against guys like Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.
He's also given up 17 receptions through five games, and despite being the biggest name in their secondary, he's become the guy offenses like to pick on--and it so happens he'll be faced up with Atlanta's best receiver, where he won't be the only guy Dennis Allen will lose sleep over thanks to Bijan Robinson.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson's 38.8 coverage grade is good for 98th out of 104 qualified cornerbacks, while his 42.3 overall grade is good for 96th. And since we know Penix likes to funnel targets in the direction of his favorite receiver, this will be a game where he truly goes nuclear.
If Jalen Coker can put up 100 yards and two touchdowns against Johnson, there's no telling what an objectively better receiver in London can do. Like Watson and Golden gave this guy trouble. None of these players, while they're good don't hold a candle to No. 5, who is one of the NFL's few elite WRs.
There is not a single wide receiver in football with more receiving yards without scoring a touchdown than the 25-year-old, and a matchup with Jaylon Johnson may not just see Drake London have a big day, but he could break his touchdown drought.
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