The Falcons are coming off one of the most disappointing debuts in recent memory. Fans and analysts alike were excited for the Raheem Morris era with Kirk Cousins, Zac Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson as the driving force in the excitement.
It couldn’t have gone worse. London and Pitts were quiet, Cousins looked exactly like a guy coming off an Achilles injury that hasn’t played football in nearly a year, and Robinson’s game plan may have been the worst of all. Nothing went right outside of a couple of drives at the beginning of the game.
A familiar face weighed in and said exactly what the fan base has been thinking. Matt Ryan pointed out the obvious — the Falcons and Kirk Cousins looked rusty, something that could’ve possibly been prevented had they played in the preseason.
Former #Falcons QB Matt Ryan gives his thoughts on Atlanta’s Week 1 performance:
“Not only him [Kirk Cousins], but I thought the entire offense looked out of sync. The problem is, they’re going against Pittsburgh’s defense, you’ve got a first time play-caller in Zac Robinson… pic.twitter.com/VHhA3ZpO9h
— Bryce Lewis (@Bryce_Lewis86) September 10, 2024
Offenses were down across the league in Week 1, and I don’t think that’s a coincidence with fewer starters playing in the preseason than ever before. Raheem Morris has been adamant that exhibition play is for mitigating injuries, but there’s no denying it would’ve helped the Falcons and Cousins get valuable reps.
For a 36-year-old coming off an Achilles injury, joining a new team with a first-time play caller, Cousins really could’ve used that experience. That isn’t the case with a lot of quarterbacks around the NFL, but everything in Atlanta pointed to preseason reps for a brand new group.
Ryan also points out an important factor in all of this — the Steelers defense. It might be one of the best in all of the NFL by the end of the season. T.J. Watt will challenge for Defensive Player of the Year if health permits. The Falcons couldn’t have faced a more difficult situation trying to break in a new offense.
Just like Ryan finishes with, there are 16 more games and there is still plenty of talent in Atlanta to turn the season around. No Super Bowl champion was crowned after the first game of the season.
The overarching question of the week will be is Week 1 who the Falcons are or was it just rust against an elite defense?
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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