3 Atlanta Falcons that stepped up in season opening loss to Saints

1. Drake London

Surprisingly when the Atlanta Falcons needed to make something happen in their passing attack on Sunday it wasn’t Kyle Pitts who stepped up. Drake London finished the game with 5-catches for 74-yards and was clearly Atlanta’s best receiver on the field. London’s shortest catch was perhaps his most impressive with London standing in taking a vicious hit while still keeping his legs moving and holding onto the football.

While there still should be questions about Marcus Mariota and the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff there is no question they have found a receiver in London that will be a part of this franchise for a long time. In his first game in the league, London was an adult in the room stepping up and stabilizing the Atlanta offense when they had to have a play.

London’s impact on this game is what allowed the team to take a 16-point lead into the fourth quarter in what should have been their first win of the season. You can’t ask anything more from your rookie receiver who showed no fear of going over the middle or running into would-be tacklers. It was a great start for London, one that should earn him, even more, looks in week two against the defending champion Rams.