Thirty birds, what's up? And welcome to another edition of Falcons Final Whistle, presented by Zaxby's I'm your host Will McFadden, joined as always by Tory mclaney and Tarren Walk and we are here to unfortunately break down an eighteen to ten loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Falcons season opener here at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Really quickly, Tory, can you summarize your thoughts of today's game in ten words or less?

Thirty birds, what's up? And welcome to another edition of Falcons Final Whistle, presented by Zaxby's I'm your host Will McFadden, joined as always by Tory mclaney and Tarren Walk and we are here to unfortunately break down an eighteen to ten loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Falcons season opener here at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Really quickly, Tory, can you summarize your thoughts of today's game in ten words or less?

As I wrote postgame, the honeymoon is officially over?

As I wrote postgame, the honeymoon is officially over?

That was close?

That was close?

As I wrote postgame, the honeymoon is officially over? Got there none?

As I wrote postgame, the honeymoon is officially over? Got there none?

Oh, even if you counted postgame as two.

Oh, even if you counted postgame as two.

I was going to say, but we know postgame is one word exactly thanks to the style guy, I put together ten words or less, which got.

I was going to say, but we know postgame is one word exactly thanks to the style guy, I put together ten words or less, which got.

The rose colored glasses have come off?

The rose colored glasses have come off?

Love? It was? That was short and sweet. Mine would be gratty. Jared is good, TJ is better, That's tough. It is tough. But honestly, there was a lot of tough in today's game, and I think we can probably start with the toughest, which was Atlanta's offense.

Love? It was? That was short and sweet. Mine would be gratty. Jared is good, TJ is better, That's tough. It is tough. But honestly, there was a lot of tough in today's game, and I think we can probably start with the toughest, which was Atlanta's offense.

They were they tough, were they tough performance.

They were they tough, were they tough performance.

It was a little tough to watch at times.

It was a little tough to watch at times.

You know.

You know.

It was two hundred and twenty six yards total, one hundred and thirty seven yards passing, eighty nine yards rushing. They were two of nine on third down. But what was really interesting is that, you know, four and a half yards per play. They were kind of moving the ball in fits and starts. They just could never really string a drive together. Tory.

It was two hundred and twenty six yards total, one hundred and thirty seven yards passing, eighty nine yards rushing. They were two of nine on third down. But what was really interesting is that, you know, four and a half yards per play. They were kind of moving the ball in fits and starts. They just could never really string a drive together. Tory.

Yeah, no, you're exactly right, and that's something that as you're watching the game, especially in that second half, where they were moving the ball, like what you're talking about, John Robinson was getting six yards of pop four yards pop there for a little bit. They were, but the problem was these turnovers. Sorry that was these turnovers. But like Kirk Cousins throws two interceptions, almost was a third at one point the guy just couldn't hold onto the ball. And then there's this fumbled snap that the timing was off. It hits Rostwelly in the legs while he's in motion. There are these, especially in the second half, there are these penalties that just completely get the offense off track. Kind of throw away seventeen yard pick up by Kyle Pitts and it puts Atlanta back on the five yard line. In another instance like that. There were so many instances where the Falcons issues were very self inflicted. In that Kirk Cousins said, you know, those turnovers, he took responsibility for them, as I think he should. The self inflicted wounds of these penalties like those are some things that you just can't do in those scenarios where you're moving the ball, okay, and especially knowing this Steelers defensive line and how good it is and how sharp it was playing, and kind of how they were just playing with their ears pined backed and there wasn't really anything this offensive line could do to stop TJ. Watt. And he's exactly what you said. He's really really good, and he's a game disruptor and he's a game wrecker, as Raheem Morris said in the middle of the week, and he did exactly that against the Falcons today. It was a tough offensive sledding there in the second half where they only had fifty one total yards, did not even get into the position to be able to put points on the board. When you lose eighteen to ten, that is when you have the like expectations and the perception of what this offense should be. If you've been listening to this podcast, Like we have people coming in that are national folks being like, hey Adams, being like, you know, this should be a top ten offense. That what we saw today wasn't a top ten offense, and they have directify that very very quickly. They do not have time to kind of sit in these mistakes. They have to be fixed.

Yeah, no, you're exactly right, and that's something that as you're watching the game, especially in that second half, where they were moving the ball, like what you're talking about, John Robinson was getting six yards of pop four yards pop there for a little bit. They were, but the problem was these turnovers. Sorry that was these turnovers. But like Kirk Cousins throws two interceptions, almost was a third at one point the guy just couldn't hold onto the ball. And then there's this fumbled snap that the timing was off. It hits Rostwelly in the legs while he's in motion. There are these, especially in the second half, there are these penalties that just completely get the offense off track. Kind of throw away seventeen yard pick up by Kyle Pitts and it puts Atlanta back on the five yard line. In another instance like that. There were so many instances where the Falcons issues were very self inflicted. In that Kirk Cousins said, you know, those turnovers, he took responsibility for them, as I think he should. The self inflicted wounds of these penalties like those are some things that you just can't do in those scenarios where you're moving the ball, okay, and especially knowing this Steelers defensive line and how good it is and how sharp it was playing, and kind of how they were just playing with their ears pined backed and there wasn't really anything this offensive line could do to stop TJ. Watt. And he's exactly what you said. He's really really good, and he's a game disruptor and he's a game wrecker, as Raheem Morris said in the middle of the week, and he did exactly that against the Falcons today. It was a tough offensive sledding there in the second half where they only had fifty one total yards, did not even get into the position to be able to put points on the board. When you lose eighteen to ten, that is when you have the like expectations and the perception of what this offense should be. If you've been listening to this podcast, Like we have people coming in that are national folks being like, hey Adams, being like, you know, this should be a top ten offense. That what we saw today wasn't a top ten offense, and they have directify that very very quickly. They do not have time to kind of sit in these mistakes. They have to be fixed.

What stuck out to me most is we talk about it being a tough thing to watch, Well, it could have been tougher because we you mentioned Dante Jackson almost had an interception when it was intended for Darnel Mooney. Dante Jackson then had another one later, so it's like he made up for his own air. But then you had the sacks that were negated because of Pittsburgh penalties. There were supposed to be two more sacks. There were only two on the record book, but there were another two that got completely washed because of Pittsburgh's own penalty. So it's just like, oh, it was tough, Oh it could have.

What stuck out to me most is we talk about it being a tough thing to watch, Well, it could have been tougher because we you mentioned Dante Jackson almost had an interception when it was intended for Darnel Mooney. Dante Jackson then had another one later, so it's like he made up for his own air. But then you had the sacks that were negated because of Pittsburgh penalties. There were supposed to be two more sacks. There were only two on the record book, but there were another two that got completely washed because of Pittsburgh's own penalty. So it's just like, oh, it was tough, Oh it could have.

Been tougher, and it was like two strip sacks by Tea.

Been tougher, and it was like two strip sacks by Tea.

Yeah, yeah, fumbles like massive plays and if you want to count. I know this was for Pittsburgh's offense, but George Pickens big catch that was then negated because of past interference on his part. Like, the Steelers had a few plays in this game that were big, momentous plays that were wiped off, and that's where it felt like, okay, like Atlanta is hanging around here. And usually when you're the team that is not capitalizing on some of those big moments and you're letting the other team hang around, it comes back to bite you in the butt. And it didn't this game. It did not. But Taran, I'm curious, you know, because we talked about the expectations for this offense and on the opening drive that looked exactly like the offense I expected to see, yet to look sharp moving the ball down the field. Where do you think the wheels kind of fell off after that? Was it the offensive line really or Kirk or all of it?

Yeah, yeah, fumbles like massive plays and if you want to count. I know this was for Pittsburgh's offense, but George Pickens big catch that was then negated because of past interference on his part. Like, the Steelers had a few plays in this game that were big, momentous plays that were wiped off, and that's where it felt like, okay, like Atlanta is hanging around here. And usually when you're the team that is not capitalizing on some of those big moments and you're letting the other team hang around, it comes back to bite you in the butt. And it didn't this game. It did not. But Taran, I'm curious, you know, because we talked about the expectations for this offense and on the opening drive that looked exactly like the offense I expected to see, yet to look sharp moving the ball down the field. Where do you think the wheels kind of fell off after that? Was it the offensive line really or Kirk or all of it?

I don't know. I mean, it's just whether it was communication or not being in sync. It's just like it was discombobulated. It wasn't flowing like it was very staccato rather than rhythmic. I think I'm using those terms correctly when it comes to music, but it just that first drive, You're like, okay, And maybe it's because it didn't finish in the end zone. I don't know. Maybe that's just me. I was saying and go for it, go for it on fourth, but no, they weren't going to do that. And so it's just you I had the potential and it didn't turn into reality, even in that first drive. And I feel like that was the theme overall with this offense, because, as Tory was saying, so much hype surrounding it and then it's just it fell flat, like almost overhyped, under delivered.

I don't know. I mean, it's just whether it was communication or not being in sync. It's just like it was discombobulated. It wasn't flowing like it was very staccato rather than rhythmic. I think I'm using those terms correctly when it comes to music, but it just that first drive, You're like, okay, And maybe it's because it didn't finish in the end zone. I don't know. Maybe that's just me. I was saying and go for it, go for it on fourth, but no, they weren't going to do that. And so it's just you I had the potential and it didn't turn into reality, even in that first drive. And I feel like that was the theme overall with this offense, because, as Tory was saying, so much hype surrounding it and then it's just it fell flat, like almost overhyped, under delivered.

Yeah, I'm a very big proponent of you know, kind of what the Falcons did in the preseason, what a lot of teams are doing. Rest of your guys, get them healthy, that's ultimately what matters. But Tori, after seeing kind of the start that the team had, I do think it's now fair to wonder if some of these, at least like miscues with the operation you see Kirk kind of like having a grab a guy and pull him over and take him to the other side of the formation, maybe those get cleared up a little bit.

Yeah, I'm a very big proponent of you know, kind of what the Falcons did in the preseason, what a lot of teams are doing. Rest of your guys, get them healthy, that's ultimately what matters. But Tori, after seeing kind of the start that the team had, I do think it's now fair to wonder if some of these, at least like miscues with the operation you see Kirk kind of like having a grab a guy and pull him over and take him to the other side of the formation, maybe those get cleared up a little bit.

Maybe, And I think at the end of the day, I'll say this like, I don't make the decisions about who plays in the preseason. Shocking. I know from my Twitter right now you would think I do, but I do not. So I preface that by saying, I don't know if a series in the preseason changes at all what we saw this offense do today. You can go back and forth on that all day long. The reality is is that the Falcons didn't play their starters in the preseason. They come out and they don't look whole offensively in this first Week one game. Is there a correlation to that. There is a loud section of the fan base and also of the league at large that says yes, and they have a reason to feel that way. The Falcons didn't give them a reason today to not feel that way, and I think that's the crux of it. I again don't know. We won't know because Raheem Morris has said I'm not going to operate in this way as long as I'm the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. This is what we're doing in the preseason. He's made that abundantly clear.

Maybe, And I think at the end of the day, I'll say this like, I don't make the decisions about who plays in the preseason. Shocking. I know from my Twitter right now you would think I do, but I do not. So I preface that by saying, I don't know if a series in the preseason changes at all what we saw this offense do today. You can go back and forth on that all day long. The reality is is that the Falcons didn't play their starters in the preseason. They come out and they don't look whole offensively in this first Week one game. Is there a correlation to that. There is a loud section of the fan base and also of the league at large that says yes, and they have a reason to feel that way. The Falcons didn't give them a reason today to not feel that way, and I think that's the crux of it. I again don't know. We won't know because Raheem Morris has said I'm not going to operate in this way as long as I'm the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. This is what we're doing in the preseason. He's made that abundantly clear.

It's not going to change, and you can find results all around the league in Week one that support an.

It's not going to change, and you can find results all around the league in Week one that support an.

Argument right well, and at the same time, of course, this is me saying it. Who wanted them to play in the preseason. It happened, it fell apart, more so in the second half that it's like, maybe it would be a stronger argument had they come out here and been a mess from the beginning, but that first drive showed potential and then it's kind of like the wheels started wabbling and then fell off. Whereas I think that's where the argument of if they played in the preseason, you wouldn't have had that like catch up period. But they didn't have that catchup period. It was like kind of a different beast all on its own.

Argument right well, and at the same time, of course, this is me saying it. Who wanted them to play in the preseason. It happened, it fell apart, more so in the second half that it's like, maybe it would be a stronger argument had they come out here and been a mess from the beginning, but that first drive showed potential and then it's kind of like the wheels started wabbling and then fell off. Whereas I think that's where the argument of if they played in the preseason, you wouldn't have had that like catch up period. But they didn't have that catchup period. It was like kind of a different beast all on its own.

It's like, I understand the argument, and we even went back and forth in the preseason about it, like the three of us, and it's like you can go back and forth all day long about it. I don't know. There's not a right or wrong answer. Yeah, but the people who feel a certain way either way are kind of like, I'm right, and I know I'm right because of this, and again I say it, the Falcons didn't do anything to make the argument against it.

It's like, I understand the argument, and we even went back and forth in the preseason about it, like the three of us, and it's like you can go back and forth all day long about it. I don't know. There's not a right or wrong answer. Yeah, but the people who feel a certain way either way are kind of like, I'm right, and I know I'm right because of this, and again I say it, the Falcons didn't do anything to make the argument against it.

Yeah, they didn't make their own argument right today, and that's where it is so weird because it is such a binary. It's like either they are out there or they're not, and so there is no gray area where people can meet in the middle. It's either like, know, I'm right and they should be out there and this is why, or like, no, they shouldn't be out there and this is why. But there is no common ground for anybody to find. And I from season's over, oh well yeah, yeah, thank god. There are a few people though that. And in kind of looking at the next gen stats, Kirk, at least when the one o'clock games had wrapped up, and of course Thursday and Friday's games as well, he had the third fastest time to throw I guess the shortest, trying to throw two point five to five seconds, which when you look at the other guys on that list, Joe Burrow was right in front of him Tua, and Tua historically gets the ball out very quickly. Joe Burrow usually doesn't. But I do think that coming off of an injury, Kirk, coming off of an injury, you see offenses that want to get the ball out in rhythm, on time. And yet when you look at some of the guys who weren't involved Drake London, Darnell Mooney, some of these kind of more explosive players in the passing game. That's where I think either Pittsburgh took them away and did a good job. And I'll need to kind of like look at this game again to really get a feel for that, but it just felt like a quick passing game, Ray Ray McLeod, Jean Robinson. And they never really tested the Steelers down the field, did they tear?

Yeah, they didn't make their own argument right today, and that's where it is so weird because it is such a binary. It's like either they are out there or they're not, and so there is no gray area where people can meet in the middle. It's either like, know, I'm right and they should be out there and this is why, or like, no, they shouldn't be out there and this is why. But there is no common ground for anybody to find. And I from season's over, oh well yeah, yeah, thank god. There are a few people though that. And in kind of looking at the next gen stats, Kirk, at least when the one o'clock games had wrapped up, and of course Thursday and Friday's games as well, he had the third fastest time to throw I guess the shortest, trying to throw two point five to five seconds, which when you look at the other guys on that list, Joe Burrow was right in front of him Tua, and Tua historically gets the ball out very quickly. Joe Burrow usually doesn't. But I do think that coming off of an injury, Kirk, coming off of an injury, you see offenses that want to get the ball out in rhythm, on time. And yet when you look at some of the guys who weren't involved Drake London, Darnell Mooney, some of these kind of more explosive players in the passing game. That's where I think either Pittsburgh took them away and did a good job. And I'll need to kind of like look at this game again to really get a feel for that, but it just felt like a quick passing game, Ray Ray McLeod, Jean Robinson. And they never really tested the Steelers down the field, did they tear?

No?

No?

I mean the furthest down the field that they went was probably Kyle Pitts in the end zone and he was wide open. So that must have been like a fluke thing. Give credit where creditors due, like Kyle got where he was supposed to be kind of thing.

I mean the furthest down the field that they went was probably Kyle Pitts in the end zone and he was wide open. So that must have been like a fluke thing. Give credit where creditors due, like Kyle got where he was supposed to be kind of thing.

But it scrambled and extended to play looked really good.

But it scrambled and extended to play looked really good.

So that was a good one.

So that was a good one.

The only one that was the only one that was longer was the fifteen yard or to Ray Ray McLoud that got tipped at the line of scrimmage that which could have been a turnout.

The only one that was the only one that was longer was the fifteen yard or to Ray Ray McLoud that got tipped at the line of scrimmage that which could have been a turnout.

Oh that was a mad jump he had to do to get it.

Oh that was a mad jump he had to do to get it.

Yeah, like that. That was the longest I think play from scrimmage in terms of Kirk Cousins in the pocket.

Yeah, like that. That was the longest I think play from scrimmage in terms of Kirk Cousins in the pocket.

Yeah, his longest air yard completion, again according to like next gen stats, was like thirty point seven yards, And that's not a thirty yard game, that's just how far the ball traveled. And I want to say his longest official pass was twenty yards ra ra yes, So again, like that's that is a it's not a dink and dunk offense, but like it was pretty pretty low in terms of the yards attention.

Yeah, his longest air yard completion, again according to like next gen stats, was like thirty point seven yards, And that's not a thirty yard game, that's just how far the ball traveled. And I want to say his longest official pass was twenty yards ra ra yes, So again, like that's that is a it's not a dink and dunk offense, but like it was pretty pretty low in terms of the yards attention.

Which is very different than I think what we expected from this offense going on camp, right, Like that was something that we praised for a lot of camp, that this was going to be a team that was going to challenge you vertically. And I that's another reason why I was so disappointed in what I saw from the past game. And you know, maybe things would have looked differently if pass protection was a little bit better, if you don't have TJ Why out there, and Kirk k Cousins maybe has a little bit more time for the route trees to progress and he can hit guys on the run down the field a little bit more. But this looks very reminiscent of I feel like I'm having the same conversation that I've had the last like two years where it's like the defense did enough to hold up there into the bargain and the offense wasn't scoring for sure, And I feel like I'm just kind of a broken record at this point. I thought that this was going to be a different day. I thought this offense was going to be different than it ended up being.

Which is very different than I think what we expected from this offense going on camp, right, Like that was something that we praised for a lot of camp, that this was going to be a team that was going to challenge you vertically. And I that's another reason why I was so disappointed in what I saw from the past game. And you know, maybe things would have looked differently if pass protection was a little bit better, if you don't have TJ Why out there, and Kirk k Cousins maybe has a little bit more time for the route trees to progress and he can hit guys on the run down the field a little bit more. But this looks very reminiscent of I feel like I'm having the same conversation that I've had the last like two years where it's like the defense did enough to hold up there into the bargain and the offense wasn't scoring for sure, And I feel like I'm just kind of a broken record at this point. I thought that this was going to be a different day. I thought this offense was going to be different than it ended up being.

Well, here are some of the differences. Is for starters, this is the very first game of a new regime, and so for it to look like it has the last couple of years on day one, I don't think is as big of an indictment as it looking the way it did at the tail end of a three year kind of stretch. So the hope is that this is the ground floor and that you continue to build from here.

Well, here are some of the differences. Is for starters, this is the very first game of a new regime, and so for it to look like it has the last couple of years on day one, I don't think is as big of an indictment as it looking the way it did at the tail end of a three year kind of stretch. So the hope is that this is the ground floor and that you continue to build from here.

And I also think that to that point at the end of the day, and this is not to make an excuse or anything like that, but the wounds that the Falcons had were those self inflicted wounds. If you don't have those turnovers, that Kirk Cousin doesn't make those mistakes in those moments, if there aren't those penalties, yep, because down yeah, there are certain aspects of what we saw there were still moments of the way they used Baijon Robinson where it looked like how you should use Bajon Robinson. There are these moments, there are these wrinkles in the offense. It's just okay, let's see more of that and less of what we saw in the second half.

And I also think that to that point at the end of the day, and this is not to make an excuse or anything like that, but the wounds that the Falcons had were those self inflicted wounds. If you don't have those turnovers, that Kirk Cousin doesn't make those mistakes in those moments, if there aren't those penalties, yep, because down yeah, there are certain aspects of what we saw there were still moments of the way they used Baijon Robinson where it looked like how you should use Bajon Robinson. There are these moments, there are these wrinkles in the offense. It's just okay, let's see more of that and less of what we saw in the second half.

And Bajeon finished this game with one hundred and eleven yards total, So I mean, again, he was a bright spot for sure. He didn't really break off that crazy run. I think he had a thirteen yard gain was his longest, but it was on a play by play basis, like you can move the ball with Bijon handing it off to him and kind of matriculate your way down the field. So I totally agree. But I like from an offensive perspective, minus three in the turnover margin that has a huge impact, especially when it is a one possession game. Ultimately at the end, even though that's eight points. Let's quickly switch over to the defense. This was you know, we mentioned Bijon is a bright spot. The defense was probably the most real bright spot I think, and it felt like they picked up where they left off last season, even though they've got two new additions. Matt Judon Justin Simmons. I think you felt Judon's presence today a little bit more than Justin Simmons, which isn't surprising given I think, how you know, a little quicker Matt Judon got acclimated into this team.

And Bajeon finished this game with one hundred and eleven yards total, So I mean, again, he was a bright spot for sure. He didn't really break off that crazy run. I think he had a thirteen yard gain was his longest, but it was on a play by play basis, like you can move the ball with Bijon handing it off to him and kind of matriculate your way down the field. So I totally agree. But I like from an offensive perspective, minus three in the turnover margin that has a huge impact, especially when it is a one possession game. Ultimately at the end, even though that's eight points. Let's quickly switch over to the defense. This was you know, we mentioned Bijon is a bright spot. The defense was probably the most real bright spot I think, and it felt like they picked up where they left off last season, even though they've got two new additions. Matt Judon Justin Simmons. I think you felt Judon's presence today a little bit more than Justin Simmons, which isn't surprising given I think, how you know, a little quicker Matt Judon got acclimated into this team.

And I also think considering that it's Justin Fields in the pocket and what he was being asked to do and how much they were relying on that run game in.

And I also think considering that it's Justin Fields in the pocket and what he was being asked to do and how much they were relying on that run game in.

The second half, but also credit you know, if I want to give Justin Simmons credit. They didn't take many deep shots down the field either, and you could feel that Justin Fields was looking for those deep shots. He was kind of sitting in the pocket looking the end. I think the Falcons took that all away and really made him dump the ball down and they did a great job rallying to make the tackles. I thought their third down defense was pretty strong today. That had a big fourth downstop that Nate Landman lost his mind about. Yeah, so you know, Taren, what was your impression of the defense.

The second half, but also credit you know, if I want to give Justin Simmons credit. They didn't take many deep shots down the field either, and you could feel that Justin Fields was looking for those deep shots. He was kind of sitting in the pocket looking the end. I think the Falcons took that all away and really made him dump the ball down and they did a great job rallying to make the tackles. I thought their third down defense was pretty strong today. That had a big fourth downstop that Nate Landman lost his mind about. Yeah, so you know, Taren, what was your impression of the defense.

I think the defense is the winner of the Falcons for the day. I mean that one is a given in a sense that they were consistent throughout the game and showing up. The fact that the Steelers never crossed into the end zone means the defense is doing their job. And yes, they did ultimately win the game, but that was all of a field goals. That's not necessarily defense's fault. They could have done better in keeping them away from that distance. But at the same time he was making a fifty seven yard field goal getting there. I was about to say, at the same time, Chris Boswell was over here kicking from fifty seven fifty four sixty one like the ball was way away.

I think the defense is the winner of the Falcons for the day. I mean that one is a given in a sense that they were consistent throughout the game and showing up. The fact that the Steelers never crossed into the end zone means the defense is doing their job. And yes, they did ultimately win the game, but that was all of a field goals. That's not necessarily defense's fault. They could have done better in keeping them away from that distance. But at the same time he was making a fifty seven yard field goal getting there. I was about to say, at the same time, Chris Boswell was over here kicking from fifty seven fifty four sixty one like the ball was way away.

Here's the thing about this defension, I do think jump on me. There were moments that this defense would want back. There were one too many explicit plays from George Pickens.

Here's the thing about this defension, I do think jump on me. There were moments that this defense would want back. There were one too many explicit plays from George Pickens.

Yes, there were.

Yes, there were.

One too many runs that I felt like should have been maybe one or two yard gains and they turned into five or six yard gains. And I think just from talking to different guys in the locker room, hearing from different guys, it was very much a yeah. There were in Raheem Morris too. There were plays that this defense wanted back. But when push came to shove, and at the end of the day, they did what they were to do. I'm okay if you been, don't break and you don't allow somebody in the end zone. Cool with that. If you can all I've always kind of subscribed to this if you can. If you, as a defense can keep an offense from scoring less than twenty points a game, you are giving your offense in this league and the professional ranks, you are giving them the best opportunity to go and win the game.

One too many runs that I felt like should have been maybe one or two yard gains and they turned into five or six yard gains. And I think just from talking to different guys in the locker room, hearing from different guys, it was very much a yeah. There were in Raheem Morris too. There were plays that this defense wanted back. But when push came to shove, and at the end of the day, they did what they were to do. I'm okay if you been, don't break and you don't allow somebody in the end zone. Cool with that. If you can all I've always kind of subscribed to this if you can. If you, as a defense can keep an offense from scoring less than twenty points a game, you are giving your offense in this league and the professional ranks, you are giving them the best opportunity to go and win the game.

That's so crazy. That was my high school year book quote.

That's so crazy. That was my high school year book quote.

Was it really?

Was it really?

Now?

Now?

I don't believe you, but I say all that to say that it's if you're this defense, I feel like there's probably a level of like we did our job and we can kind of stand on that.

I don't believe you, but I say all that to say that it's if you're this defense, I feel like there's probably a level of like we did our job and we can kind of stand on that.

Yep.

Yep.

And something that you kind of have to look back on when you are kind of trying to take positives away from this game is that this defense showed up, played well, kept a team out of the end zone ye and gave their offense chance after chance after chance to go and win the game.

And something that you kind of have to look back on when you are kind of trying to take positives away from this game is that this defense showed up, played well, kept a team out of the end zone ye and gave their offense chance after chance after chance to go and win the game.

This feels like another theme from last year that we talked about. Yeah, I'm having like flashbacks sitting in these same chairs, being like defense did its job offense to not.

This feels like another theme from last year that we talked about. Yeah, I'm having like flashbacks sitting in these same chairs, being like defense did its job offense to not.

It's a great point because you know, after going through this last year, right, And you see a week one, week two, like the offense has kind of performed together. But then as the season wears along and you start getting into week twelve, thirteen, fourteen, and yeah, you're theoretically still alive, and yeah, but when one side of the ball is consistently kind of doing their part. And I give a lot of credit to last year's team, I never really felt this, at least in the postgame locker room. I wasn't around practice like you guys were, so maybe it was there. But you do start to wonder if if you start looking askew at anybody else, because it's a team sport, right, and it takes all three phases of the game. But obviously that is putting the cart way before the horse because this is a new team, this is a new year, new staff, everything, and it's just week one, so we don't want to overreact. But one thing we probably can overreact to was Grady Jarrett's debut return. Like he played so well. We saw moments in the scrimmage that the team had during training camp where it was like vintage Grady Jarrett, fast quick, He looked like that out there today. He had a sack and a half. He set the all time franchise record for quarterback hits with one hundred and seventeen. Taren, what'd you see from Grady?

It's a great point because you know, after going through this last year, right, And you see a week one, week two, like the offense has kind of performed together. But then as the season wears along and you start getting into week twelve, thirteen, fourteen, and yeah, you're theoretically still alive, and yeah, but when one side of the ball is consistently kind of doing their part. And I give a lot of credit to last year's team, I never really felt this, at least in the postgame locker room. I wasn't around practice like you guys were, so maybe it was there. But you do start to wonder if if you start looking askew at anybody else, because it's a team sport, right, and it takes all three phases of the game. But obviously that is putting the cart way before the horse because this is a new team, this is a new year, new staff, everything, and it's just week one, so we don't want to overreact. But one thing we probably can overreact to was Grady Jarrett's debut return. Like he played so well. We saw moments in the scrimmage that the team had during training camp where it was like vintage Grady Jarrett, fast quick, He looked like that out there today. He had a sack and a half. He set the all time franchise record for quarterback hits with one hundred and seventeen. Taren, what'd you see from Grady?

I talked to him in the locker room afterward, and you could just tell he was so happy. But what was really funny is like, when did you know you were back? He's like, I woke up ready, I woke up, like and I knew I was back. Like He's like, I have worked so hard for this moment. There was no doubt in my mind I was going to be okay. And so with that, he kind of just like handled things business as usual. But what stood out to me most was really Raheem Morris's quote in the postgame press conference because he said, probably some of the few times today you were able to show emotion when a guy like that, who's bigger than just the game of football for us and our community, makes a play coming off of the injury and the significance of his injury, where it's just like it was a tough, tough game, Yeah, but you could smile when Grady Jarrett had his sack, when he assisted in a sack, when Grady Jarrett was back being Grady Jarrett. It was a highlight.

I talked to him in the locker room afterward, and you could just tell he was so happy. But what was really funny is like, when did you know you were back? He's like, I woke up ready, I woke up, like and I knew I was back. Like He's like, I have worked so hard for this moment. There was no doubt in my mind I was going to be okay. And so with that, he kind of just like handled things business as usual. But what stood out to me most was really Raheem Morris's quote in the postgame press conference because he said, probably some of the few times today you were able to show emotion when a guy like that, who's bigger than just the game of football for us and our community, makes a play coming off of the injury and the significance of his injury, where it's just like it was a tough, tough game, Yeah, but you could smile when Grady Jarrett had his sack, when he assisted in a sack, when Grady Jarrett was back being Grady Jarrett. It was a highlight.

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What's frustrating in that, though, is that I don't know if people will remember that about this game. I don't know if people will know We're even think twice that Grady Jarrett became the Falcons all time record holder in quarterback hits. He passed John Abraham with one hundred and seventeen quarterback hits.

What's frustrating in that, though, is that I don't know if people will remember that about this game. I don't know if people will know We're even think twice that Grady Jarrett became the Falcons all time record holder in quarterback hits. He passed John Abraham with one hundred and seventeen quarterback hits.

Hey, now there's a story on Atlanta Falcons dot com coming right exactly.

Hey, now there's a story on Atlanta Falcons dot com coming right exactly.

But also when you think back to this week one game, I feel like the story isn't Grady Jarrett returning and playing the way that he did. It's the offense not performing. It's Arthur Smith and Justin Field's coming into Mercedes Benz Stadium and beating the Falcons. That's the national story. And to kind of have Grady Jarrett accumulate everything and encompass what year ten means to him. And he comes out and right off the bat he has a sack, and then he has this other big stop and he's making plays and you can just see on the field the passion that he's playing with.

But also when you think back to this week one game, I feel like the story isn't Grady Jarrett returning and playing the way that he did. It's the offense not performing. It's Arthur Smith and Justin Field's coming into Mercedes Benz Stadium and beating the Falcons. That's the national story. And to kind of have Grady Jarrett accumulate everything and encompass what year ten means to him. And he comes out and right off the bat he has a sack, and then he has this other big stop and he's making plays and you can just see on the field the passion that he's playing with.

Grady got back.

Grady got back.

But know how many people are going to remember that? And that's a part of Grady's career that I often wonder, Yeah, if I'm being completely honest, maybe maybe people will kind of come at me for saying that. But it's something that I think about often. How when I guess maybe because of all the work that I've done with the Grady Jarrett story that we ran on Atlanta Falcons dot Com check it out over the course of this last year, how embedded into Grady's story, I've been like, I want people to remember this guy for what he's done. And I don't know if these offensive struggles and the fact that defense has kind of been a punching bag in his first years in the League. Like I don't know, I'm going on a soapbox and a tangent, but that I do. I just I think about that and in the context of this day and what it meant for him to get back, and yeah, that we're we have to talk so much about this offense. I mean, it just goes to show it's a team sport, it's not one person.

But know how many people are going to remember that? And that's a part of Grady's career that I often wonder, Yeah, if I'm being completely honest, maybe maybe people will kind of come at me for saying that. But it's something that I think about often. How when I guess maybe because of all the work that I've done with the Grady Jarrett story that we ran on Atlanta Falcons dot Com check it out over the course of this last year, how embedded into Grady's story, I've been like, I want people to remember this guy for what he's done. And I don't know if these offensive struggles and the fact that defense has kind of been a punching bag in his first years in the League. Like I don't know, I'm going on a soapbox and a tangent, but that I do. I just I think about that and in the context of this day and what it meant for him to get back, and yeah, that we're we have to talk so much about this offense. I mean, it just goes to show it's a team sport, it's not one person.

I think I think Grady will be remembered because of everything that he's done in the community as a leader in the locker room. And he's just a dang good football.

I think I think Grady will be remembered because of everything that he's done in the community as a leader in the locker room. And he's just a dang good football.

Player, but you would was more.

Player, but you would was more.

Yeah, and there's so Jonathan Babineau is probably a great comp right, and and Grady is a better version to me of Jonathan Babino And that's not a slight to Babs at all, but like he was a part of that twenty sixteen Super Bowl team and nobody really recalls that. And he had a decade plus career here in Atlanta was in a lot of ways kind of like original Grady, not to that level, right, but just a fan favorite who brought it and was a consistent presence every single week in the middle of that defensive line. And yeah, like you don't hear Jonathan Babineau's name right at all, really by this fan base. I don't think that's going to be grady, But your point is well taken. Where As a defensive lineman, if you're not like an edge guy, if you're not TJ. Water, Miles Garrett or whatever. And Aaron Donald literally is maybe one of the greatest players in the history of this game, and like that's the level it takes for people to care about, kind of like that defensive tackle type of guy. So even on a day where he was one to half sacks first game back, he's already got one to have sacks. That's awesome. We spent all off season clamoring where's the fast rush coming from. It's coming from ninety seven out there on the field. Looks great. But yeah, we're all sitting here talking about the offense. That's what we're leading with. Tearn, anything else about this defense that you want to bring up?

Yeah, and there's so Jonathan Babineau is probably a great comp right, and and Grady is a better version to me of Jonathan Babino And that's not a slight to Babs at all, but like he was a part of that twenty sixteen Super Bowl team and nobody really recalls that. And he had a decade plus career here in Atlanta was in a lot of ways kind of like original Grady, not to that level, right, but just a fan favorite who brought it and was a consistent presence every single week in the middle of that defensive line. And yeah, like you don't hear Jonathan Babineau's name right at all, really by this fan base. I don't think that's going to be grady, But your point is well taken. Where As a defensive lineman, if you're not like an edge guy, if you're not TJ. Water, Miles Garrett or whatever. And Aaron Donald literally is maybe one of the greatest players in the history of this game, and like that's the level it takes for people to care about, kind of like that defensive tackle type of guy. So even on a day where he was one to half sacks first game back, he's already got one to have sacks. That's awesome. We spent all off season clamoring where's the fast rush coming from. It's coming from ninety seven out there on the field. Looks great. But yeah, we're all sitting here talking about the offense. That's what we're leading with. Tearn, anything else about this defense that you want to bring up?

Hmmm, No, not necessarily. Sorry.

Hmmm, No, not necessarily. Sorry.

I did think it was interesting and this is something that we should monitor moving forward. Is the fact that my cues got the start opposite A. J. Trel at corner and then for a few defensive series in the third quarter to start the second half, Clark Phillips got in there and got some reps and then they went back to my cues in the fourth.

I did think it was interesting and this is something that we should monitor moving forward. Is the fact that my cues got the start opposite A. J. Trel at corner and then for a few defensive series in the third quarter to start the second half, Clark Phillips got in there and got some reps and then they went back to my cues in the fourth.

Yeah, that is interesting.

Yeah, that is interesting.

I wonder if it's like well.

I wonder if it's like well.

S raheem asked about that at all.

S raheem asked about that at all.

No, he wasn't. Not postgame. I imagine he could. We could ask him about it on Monday. But that's just something that I'm going to keep an eye on because that, to me is a little bit like, Okay, we I don't like that position battles over. I told y'all, I told y'all this thing is gonna go all the way to week.

No, he wasn't. Not postgame. I imagine he could. We could ask him about it on Monday. But that's just something that I'm going to keep an eye on because that, to me is a little bit like, Okay, we I don't like that position battles over. I told y'all, I told y'all this thing is gonna go all the way to week.

Said I. I just wonder is it still a battle or is it like Clark has carved out a role for himself and how big is that? But I mean to your point, like, yeah, you don't, corner is not a position where you have roles really, you know, you got your Nickels and your outside guys, right, So yeah, maybe it is still going. I do think last thing on the defense, so the seventeen third down that attunds that Pittsburgh had is kind of indicative of what we're saying. Like, on the one hand, Atlanta's defense did a good job in forcing them into third downs a lot. I think they played pretty well on early downs. However, Pittsburgh was able to convert almost half of those. Yeah, and the fact that they had seventeen third downs shows how often they had the football. And when you have three turnovers and you're not converting your own third downs, Yeah, And I.

Said I. I just wonder is it still a battle or is it like Clark has carved out a role for himself and how big is that? But I mean to your point, like, yeah, you don't, corner is not a position where you have roles really, you know, you got your Nickels and your outside guys, right, So yeah, maybe it is still going. I do think last thing on the defense, so the seventeen third down that attunds that Pittsburgh had is kind of indicative of what we're saying. Like, on the one hand, Atlanta's defense did a good job in forcing them into third downs a lot. I think they played pretty well on early downs. However, Pittsburgh was able to convert almost half of those. Yeah, and the fact that they had seventeen third downs shows how often they had the football. And when you have three turnovers and you're not converting your own third downs, Yeah, And I.

Think too, it's if I want this defense, if I'm just putting it out there like an area that this defense can improve, manifested, it still is ceiling off the edge. I thought justin Field was able to leak out a little bit more. I thought Najie Harris was able to leak out a little bit more. Going back to what I said off the top about you know, there were one or two yard runs that turned into four or five six yard runs, And I think that's that's an area if you can kind of seal the edge a little bit and let your big guys work in the middle and make it that pocket a bit tougher to squeak out of, that would bode well for this defense.

Think too, it's if I want this defense, if I'm just putting it out there like an area that this defense can improve, manifested, it still is ceiling off the edge. I thought justin Field was able to leak out a little bit more. I thought Najie Harris was able to leak out a little bit more. Going back to what I said off the top about you know, there were one or two yard runs that turned into four or five six yard runs, And I think that's that's an area if you can kind of seal the edge a little bit and let your big guys work in the middle and make it that pocket a bit tougher to squeak out of, that would bode well for this defense.

So we're going to wrap it up with our game balls. So each after each game, we will nominate one player we want to give a game ball. To Tarin. We'll start with you.

So we're going to wrap it up with our game balls. So each after each game, we will nominate one player we want to give a game ball. To Tarin. We'll start with you.

Well, if we're looking at both teams, I want to give it to Chris Boswell because the man was six of six.

Well, if we're looking at both teams, I want to give it to Chris Boswell because the man was six of six.

Your favorite colors and yellow. You want to give Chris Boswell the game ball and I love specialty. We're going to trade you to Pittsburgh.

Your favorite colors and yellow. You want to give Chris Boswell the game ball and I love specialty. We're going to trade you to Pittsburgh.

I swear I've only been there once, so I don't know what's good a home. But no, seriously, I think I'm going to do Grady Jared because I know well I did write about six hundred words on him. But another point is he deserves it.

I swear I've only been there once, so I don't know what's good a home. But no, seriously, I think I'm going to do Grady Jared because I know well I did write about six hundred words on him. But another point is he deserves it.

Yeah, like it does.

Yeah, like it does.

It raised the outcome of this game, and it's the Grady Jered game.

It raised the outcome of this game, and it's the Grady Jered game.

Yep.

Yep.

I do hate that the outcome has completely overshadowed his comeback, but I think he took it in stride. He's like, I think the defense, but he's like, I'm proud of how the defense performed, but there's still always room for improvement and didn't like blame anyone. That was a huge thing in the locker room. No one was blaming anyone.

I do hate that the outcome has completely overshadowed his comeback, but I think he took it in stride. He's like, I think the defense, but he's like, I'm proud of how the defense performed, but there's still always room for improvement and didn't like blame anyone. That was a huge thing in the locker room. No one was blaming anyone.

Yeah, it's one of seventeen.

Yeah, it's one of seventeen.

Yeah for me, obviously, you don't get a game ball if you don't win. But since we're giving out game balls for this segment.

Yeah for me, obviously, you don't get a game ball if you don't win. But since we're giving out game balls for this segment.

It could be deflated.

It could be deflated.

Gall I one, I would like to double down on Grady Jered giving getting the game ball for sure. I also would just like to say that I really liked what I saw from Nate Lammon in the role that he was playing today. I think there are a few moments where you kind of did mat There were a few moments where you did miss Troy Anderson's speed and you were trying to get more of that thumper mentality from Nate and Cayden together instead of this Troy Anderson who can run sideline to sideline, bring guys down and kind of going back to what I was talking about, help with the leaking of the pocket. But when Nate was in I thought he did some good things, especially that we talked about it that fourth down stop in the red zone to bring this offense back out at the specific time that they did, which.

Gall I one, I would like to double down on Grady Jered giving getting the game ball for sure. I also would just like to say that I really liked what I saw from Nate Lammon in the role that he was playing today. I think there are a few moments where you kind of did mat There were a few moments where you did miss Troy Anderson's speed and you were trying to get more of that thumper mentality from Nate and Cayden together instead of this Troy Anderson who can run sideline to sideline, bring guys down and kind of going back to what I was talking about, help with the leaking of the pocket. But when Nate was in I thought he did some good things, especially that we talked about it that fourth down stop in the red zone to bring this offense back out at the specific time that they did, which.

Was there was like four minutes lest yeah.

Was there was like four minutes lest yeah.

And it was like their second to last drive, and it really felt like, Okay, if they can go down and eat up all that cloth.

And it was like their second to last drive, and it really felt like, Okay, if they can go down and eat up all that cloth.

Ten score, seventeen to fifteen, win, let's walk out of here.

Ten score, seventeen to fifteen, win, let's walk out of here.

That felt like a game stop a game changing moment for this team. And I thought the fact that it was Nate Lamon who has been working through the quad injury over the course of the last few weeks, hasn't really been one hundred and ten percent. We've been talking about this whole idea of how the Falcons were going to deploy these three linebackers that can be your starting inside linebackers in Nate, Troy, and Kayden. I liked the way that they used them. It's very obvious that it's like, Okay, when they got their big guys in and they're wanting to stop the run, it's Nate. When they need some speed and they need to kind of get maybe drop somebody into coverage or have some blitz packages, it's Troy. There wasn't a whole lot. Maybe I'm wrong. I'll have to go back and look. I didn't think there was a whole lot of Cayden with his hand in the dirt on the defensive line. Yeah, which I think I want to see more of moving forward, because I think that's something he does really well and I think that's actually what his roots are and I think it provides a different layer in a different look. But maybe again something in the game plan didn't.

That felt like a game stop a game changing moment for this team. And I thought the fact that it was Nate Lamon who has been working through the quad injury over the course of the last few weeks, hasn't really been one hundred and ten percent. We've been talking about this whole idea of how the Falcons were going to deploy these three linebackers that can be your starting inside linebackers in Nate, Troy, and Kayden. I liked the way that they used them. It's very obvious that it's like, Okay, when they got their big guys in and they're wanting to stop the run, it's Nate. When they need some speed and they need to kind of get maybe drop somebody into coverage or have some blitz packages, it's Troy. There wasn't a whole lot. Maybe I'm wrong. I'll have to go back and look. I didn't think there was a whole lot of Cayden with his hand in the dirt on the defensive line. Yeah, which I think I want to see more of moving forward, because I think that's something he does really well and I think that's actually what his roots are and I think it provides a different layer in a different look. But maybe again something in the game plan didn't.

Yeah, it was a lot of This was a true like three four yes looking game. There were a lot of the tight fronts with your nose tackle and then your five techniques, and then you had your stand up edge rushers out there. And so maybe when there's more of a four to three look, that's where you'll see Kayden kind of mix in a little bit more. But that's a great pick. I will flip to the other side of the ball and named Jean Robinson. You know, the offense didn't have a great day, but I thought Bejan at least looked the part. That's what I expected from Jean. He's never really been like that breakaway speedster. He's more of like he's gonna turn a four yard game into an eight yard game with consistency. Yeah, and that's kind of where where I thought he was, even though again it wasn't really a strong day for anybody on the offense, but he he looked the part. Would love to see Tyler all Jiar get more than three carries next time. He averaged seven yards to carry.

Yeah, it was a lot of This was a true like three four yes looking game. There were a lot of the tight fronts with your nose tackle and then your five techniques, and then you had your stand up edge rushers out there. And so maybe when there's more of a four to three look, that's where you'll see Kayden kind of mix in a little bit more. But that's a great pick. I will flip to the other side of the ball and named Jean Robinson. You know, the offense didn't have a great day, but I thought Bejan at least looked the part. That's what I expected from Jean. He's never really been like that breakaway speedster. He's more of like he's gonna turn a four yard game into an eight yard game with consistency. Yeah, and that's kind of where where I thought he was, even though again it wasn't really a strong day for anybody on the offense, but he he looked the part. Would love to see Tyler all Jiar get more than three carries next time. He averaged seven yards to carry.

There was the play at the very very beginning. It was one of the first couple of drives and it was they put Bijon in motion and then they handed it off to Tyler going the opposite way. I thought, I loved that play design. Yeah, and I feel like you can and they did a few times, especially early, they had a couple of times where they had a two back set with Jean and Tyler and I I think I want to see a little bit more of that. I liked what I saw when they had both of those guys.

There was the play at the very very beginning. It was one of the first couple of drives and it was they put Bijon in motion and then they handed it off to Tyler going the opposite way. I thought, I loved that play design. Yeah, and I feel like you can and they did a few times, especially early, they had a couple of times where they had a two back set with Jean and Tyler and I I think I want to see a little bit more of that. I liked what I saw when they had both of those guys.

In rapid rapid fire thirty seconds or last. What did you think of Zach Robinson in his debut is Atlanta's play caller in a in an actual game setting.

In rapid rapid fire thirty seconds or last. What did you think of Zach Robinson in his debut is Atlanta's play caller in a in an actual game setting.

I actually think it's really hard to tell at this point because of the fact that the mistakes that were made I didn't think were scheme related. Yeah, I thought that it was a breakdown.

I actually think it's really hard to tell at this point because of the fact that the mistakes that were made I didn't think were scheme related. Yeah, I thought that it was a breakdown.

In execution and operation right when.

In execution and operation right when.

You're talking about these buckets of problems and issues. It was turnovers and it was ill time penalties. I don't blame the play caller for that. He has he's up in the box. He can't tell Kirk he's yes, he's in his ear, but he can't tell Kirk Man don't throw it to that guy.

You're talking about these buckets of problems and issues. It was turnovers and it was ill time penalties. I don't blame the play caller for that. He has he's up in the box. He can't tell Kirk he's yes, he's in his ear, but he can't tell Kirk Man don't throw it to that guy.

Yeah, so I'm TBD.

Yeah, so I'm TBD.

TBD, I'm TVD on it. I think that we will know more when we are able to see these longer drives strung together, which I thought we were getting there in the first half. And the way that he is using Jon Robinson, I think is it's very obvious that there is an uptick Injon Robinson's usage. How much more there needs to be balanced with some of these other guys. I think we'll We'll have to wait and see.

TBD, I'm TVD on it. I think that we will know more when we are able to see these longer drives strung together, which I thought we were getting there in the first half. And the way that he is using Jon Robinson, I think is it's very obvious that there is an uptick Injon Robinson's usage. How much more there needs to be balanced with some of these other guys. I think we'll We'll have to wait and see.

I was going to go off of the balance because I was looking at Vijon's record and the most times he carried the ball last season was twenty two the nineteen and eighteen, so he's already up there when it comes to like carries.

I was going to go off of the balance because I was looking at Vijon's record and the most times he carried the ball last season was twenty two the nineteen and eighteen, so he's already up there when it comes to like carries.

Yeah, in eighteen three total touches today.

Yeah, in eighteen three total touches today.

Yeah, and I'm just looking at a total plays.

Yeah, and I'm just looking at a total plays.

Kirk threw the ball twenty six times, so Jon touched the ball almost as many times as they like Kirk throw it.

Kirk threw the ball twenty six times, so Jon touched the ball almost as many times as they like Kirk throw it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But I think you need to spread the love a bit more, because, like we said, there was not much Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts that I think finding a better balance is going to be the key.

But I think you need to spread the love a bit more, because, like we said, there was not much Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts that I think finding a better balance is going to be the key.

Which you think about how like what was in like this is why I go back to kind of saying I don't really know how to evaluate Zach Robinson yet, is because it's like how many plays were drawn up that they couldn't get to because of pass protection issues, because of turnovers, because they're behind the sticks.

Which you think about how like what was in like this is why I go back to kind of saying I don't really know how to evaluate Zach Robinson yet, is because it's like how many plays were drawn up that they couldn't get to because of pass protection issues, because of turnovers, because they're behind the sticks.

You know.

You know.

That's why the opening that opening drive, if there is anything that anybody wants to go back to watch to maybe get a fuel for those Falcons, like the first fifteen plays, ten plays you'll script, right, and so the fact that the Falcons were able to string together a nice long opening possession, those are all plays that when Zach and Kirk and Raheem and everybody was sitting down for the game planning, they put those plays in there. They wanted to go to those plays. So that's probably indicative of what Atlanta would like its offense to look like when things are humming.

That's why the opening that opening drive, if there is anything that anybody wants to go back to watch to maybe get a fuel for those Falcons, like the first fifteen plays, ten plays you'll script, right, and so the fact that the Falcons were able to string together a nice long opening possession, those are all plays that when Zach and Kirk and Raheem and everybody was sitting down for the game planning, they put those plays in there. They wanted to go to those plays. So that's probably indicative of what Atlanta would like its offense to look like when things are humming.

And in that drive, I'm looking at it. Handoff to Bejon Kirk to Darnell Mooney, Tyler Algier, thirteen yard run, Bijon Robinson, Kirk to drake An incompletion, Kirk to Bajon Ye. There was a level of yeah, we're hitting different guys we're doing different things.

And in that drive, I'm looking at it. Handoff to Bejon Kirk to Darnell Mooney, Tyler Algier, thirteen yard run, Bijon Robinson, Kirk to drake An incompletion, Kirk to Bajon Ye. There was a level of yeah, we're hitting different guys we're doing different things.

There was a flow to it.

There was a flow to it.

There was a flow to it.

There was a flow to it.

And if Peyton Wilson, great rookie at an NC State Steelers linebacker, if he doesn't make a tackle on that screen pass down in the red zone to Baijon, I think Bajon scores on that opening drive, and who knows where we go from there. But where we're going to go from here is back home because we have put in a long day of work. So we're going to wrap it up after this eighteen to ten loss in Week one to the Pittsburgh Steelers. What is next for Atlanta? They have a longer week ahead to prepare for a Monday night game on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are fresh off their thirty four to twenty nine win against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil. So Falcons got to turn right back around, get everything right because they've got a pretty good team up ahead. So they've got a tough three game stretch. They're now entering game two of that, and it is going to be their first road game. So hope they get the offense kind of worked out, the defense travels, and we will see where they go from here. Here but that will do it for us today, for Tarren Walk and Tory mclaney. I am Will McFadden. Thank you guys so much for listening to Falcons Final Whistle presented by Zaxby's. We will see you all again soon

And if Peyton Wilson, great rookie at an NC State Steelers linebacker, if he doesn't make a tackle on that screen pass down in the red zone to Baijon, I think Bajon scores on that opening drive, and who knows where we go from there. But where we're going to go from here is back home because we have put in a long day of work. So we're going to wrap it up after this eighteen to ten loss in Week one to the Pittsburgh Steelers. What is next for Atlanta? They have a longer week ahead to prepare for a Monday night game on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are fresh off their thirty four to twenty nine win against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil. So Falcons got to turn right back around, get everything right because they've got a pretty good team up ahead. So they've got a tough three game stretch. They're now entering game two of that, and it is going to be their first road game. So hope they get the offense kind of worked out, the defense travels, and we will see where they go from here. Here but that will do it for us today, for Tarren Walk and Tory mclaney. I am Will McFadden. Thank you guys so much for listening to Falcons Final Whistle presented by Zaxby's. We will see you all again soon