It sounds like the Falcons' season opener was a frustrating one, filled with offensive struggles, protection issues, and wasted defensive efforts in an 18-10 loss to the Steelers. Here are some key takeaways from the game:
Offensive Struggles
Kaleb McGary O-Line Woes: The pass protection was poor, with T.J. Watt dominating McGary throughout the game. The interior offensive line also struggled, continuing a troubling trend from last season.
Kirk Cousins' Rough Debut: While the O-line didn’t help him, Cousins looked uncomfortable beyond his first read and threw two costly interceptions. His EPA (-0.32 per play) and CPOE (-2.0) were both concerning metrics.
Ray-Ray McCloud WR1? Cousins surprisingly targeted McCloud (8 targets) more than Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts combined, but it didn’t pay off (-0.71 EPA per play).https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574092176080
Bijan Robinson Still a Bright Spot: 23 touches for 111 yards (4.8 avg) showcased his versatility, even though the run game itself was inconsistent.
Defensive Performance
"Bend but Don't Break" Returns: The defense played well enough to win, preventing the Steelers from scoring a touchdown despite being put in bad positions after turnovers.
Secondary Communication Issues: While solid overall, the defense still has some kinks to work out, especially in coverage.
Overall Takeaway
This loss wasn’t as brutal as some of Atlanta’s past heartbreakers, but it exposed offensive line concerns, questionable play-calling, and a shaky start for Kirk Cousins.
With tough games ahead, the Falcons need to clean up protection, get Drake London Kyle Pitts more involved, and make better in-game adjustments.
What do you think—is this just a rough start, or a sign of bigger issues for Atlanta this season?
