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

By Nick Halden

Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) on the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) on the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates after a sack against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates after a sack against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Atlanta Falcons pass rushers

The Atlanta Falcons finished the day with 4.0-sacks on the day showing off impressive speed and a much-improved pass rush through the first three quarters. While it is important to note this pressure disappeared when the Falcons needed it most it was a huge step forward for a team that finished dead last in sacks last season.

Grady Jarrett led the way with 1.5 sacks with Mykal Walker and rookie Arnold Ebiketie both adding sacks in their new roles.  The story of this game for the Atlanta Falcons’ defense is how aggressive they were in the first three quarters chasing the football and consistently chasing down Jameis Winston.

In the fourth Atlanta switched their mentality playing zone and not bringing the blitzes they did in the first three quarters playing to avoid losing instead of continuing to put pressure on Winston and force the quarterback to beat man coverage.

For three quarters, however, the Atlanta pass rush remained impressive and it was exciting to see both Walker and Ebiketie thriving in their new roles making plays to help give the Falcons an early lead.  If the Falcons can continue to get pressure with the consistency they did in game one the Atlanta defense is going to drastically improve this season.

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