Blogging Dirty
FanSided

4 Atlanta Falcons whose stock is on the rise after week one

By Nick Halden

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Drake London #5 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball in front of Demario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Drake London #5 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball in front of Demario Davis #56 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Marcus Mariota

If Marcus Mariota slides deep into the Saints’ red zone instead of attempting to take on three tacklers at once and fumbling the ball the Falcons win this game.  It was the one vintage Marcus Mariota moment that reminded you why the Titans moved on from the immensely talented quarterback.

Despite this one mistake Mariota had a great game on the ground with 72-rushing yards and finishing with 215-passing yards. Despite his fumble Mariota deserved to win this game for Atlanta, he played a great game taking what the defense gave him and picking his spots to attempt to push the ball down the field.

The complexion of this game was altered by Arthur Smith’s late coaching decisions and Dean Pees deciding to put in backups and play prevent defense with only a two-score lead.

When you consider that this was Mariota’s first time starting a season in three years it was all the more impressive for a player who is only going to get better as he continues to adjust to the offense and the speed of being a starting quarterback once again. While it wasn’t perfect it was a great start that put the Falcons in a position to win and earned a reason to believe he is still capable of being a starting quarterback in this league.

Home/Atlanta Falcons News