The Falcons and Seahawks are both coming off losses. Atlanta came up short in their stunning comeback in Los Angeles, while San Francisco throttled Seattle. Though the home team holds the advantage according to Vegas, the Falcons have remained competitive in each of their games thus far, with the Seahawks being the least talented roster they’ve faced yet. In that breath, here is a look at five Falcons to watch in Week 2 vs. the Rams.
A.J. Terrell, CB
Terrell isn’t having the start to the 2022 season as he envisioned. The Clemson product has given up three touchdowns through the first two weeks of the season, but Falcons fans shouldn’t be worried.Â
Terrell has been objectively worse this year, but I don’t think this is who he is. Like most things, he’s probably somewhere in the middle. Terrell is a foundational piece of this team, one of the best players at his position, and a leader. Corners in this league are dealt a bad hand. No matter how good they play, a single off week can change opinions quickly. Terrell should regress back to the mean over the course of the season to a well-above-average player. The Falcons, nor their fans, should be worried.
Kyle Pitts, TE
Pitts has only hauled in two receptions for 19 yards in each of the team’s first two weeks. Getting the tight end phenom involved more in the offense has to be a priority for Arthur Smith and Marcus Mariota if they want to come out of Week 3 victorious. After compiling 1,026 receiving yards while averaging a league-leading 15.1 yards per reception, Pitts isn’t having the best start to the season, but he’s the type of player that can put up 150 yards in the blink of an eye. There’s a positive correlation between Pitts’ production and the Falcons winning games, so this is undoubtedly a key to victory.
Grady Jarrett, DT
These next two will be critical in slowing down the Seahawks’ offense, which is predicated on establishing the run. Jarrett has consistently been one of the most disruptive defenders in football for years. And coming off a down year statistically, he’s already eclipsed his season sack total from a year ago in just a couple of weeks. His hands are powerful and his motor looks as strong as ever. If the Falcons want to slow down the Seattle offense, which shouldn’t be that tall of a task, Jarrett and the next defender will have to have big games.
Ta’Quon Graham, DT
Ta’Quon Graham looked phenomenal against the Saints and has totaled three quarterback hits through two weeks. The former fifth-rounder must have an equally disruptive presence against the Seahawks for the Falcons to come out of Seattle with their first victory of the season.
Marcus Mariota, QB
Mariota deserves to shoulder some blame for the 16-point fourth-quarter collapse against the Saints. He had several backbreaking miscues in Week 1. He lost a fumble at the Saints’ five-yard line in the third quarter while also botching a snap on a third and one in the fourth quarter. In Week 2, Mariota didn’t quite improve in these areas, throwing a pair of interceptions at critical junctures. He has managed the offense well and flashed at times. His mobility allows him to extend plays when pressure arrives and gives Arthur Smith the ability to be creative with his play design. All he has to do is protect the ball this week, and the Falcons should walk out of Seattle with their first win.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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