The Atlanta Falcons started the season with a 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it was an absolute mess. It is hard to even call this a football game when the offense looks this lost. We are watching a team that cannot move the ball, and it is making the season feel over before it even started.
The Cooper Rush disaster
The quarterback situation is a total joke. According to AJC.com, the team had to start Cooper Rush but he dealt with back spasms the day before the game. You cannot win games when your signal-caller is physically compromised. Rush struggled immensely, finishing the day with a passer rating that barely stayed above 50. He threw two interceptions and simply could not connect with his receivers. Yahoo Sports reported that the offense was a “one-man show” focused on Bijan Robinson. That is a massive problem for any team trying to compete in this league.
Bijan Robinson carries the load
The only bright spot in this ugly performance was Bijan Robinson. While the rest of the group struggled, Robinson found some rhythm in the second half. Yahoo Sports noted that Robinson finished with 83 rushing yards on 21 attempts. He even scored the team’s first touchdown of the year on a catch and run. But one star is not enough to fix a broken system. Late in the second quarter, Drake London finally received his first target. If the stars are not even getting the ball, the coaching staff is failing.
Defensive lapses and penalties
The defense actually played well enough to win, but they were undone by mistakes. The unit held Aaron Rodgers to 5.5 yards per attempt and recorded two sacks via Za’Darius Smith, according to Yahoo Sports. However, A.J. Terrell had a nightmare game in coverage. He took two major penalties in the first half, including a pass interference call that moved the Steelers into field goal range. Terrell also had to leave the game after a play where he hit DK Metcalf’s arms early. The Falcons were outgained 264-238, and that lack of discipline is going to haunt the team against the Panthers next week.
