4 Atlanta Falcons that must find a way to step up in week two
By Nick Halden
1. A.J. Terrell
If there is anyone capable of slowing down Cooper Kupp on Atlanta’s roster it is A.J. Terrell. Forget last week’s game it is the outlier after a season of elite play from Terrell. Allow the corner to rebuild momentum and confidence by shadowing one of the best receivers in the league. Kupp was the lone bright spot for the Rams last Thursday against the Bills and was the complete offense for the Rams.
Stafford didn’t show any chemistry with new Rams receiver Allen Robinson and none of the remaining Rams playmakers stepped up. If Terrell can make life difficult for Kupp the Falcons are going to contend with the Rams.
It is important to note that the Rams are elite at scheming ways for Kupp to find open space and Terrell shouldn’t be expected to shut down the star completely. Simply slowing him down and holding him from breaking any deep plays should be considered a huge win for Terrell and the Atlanta secondary.
The flip side of this argument would be that Terrell needs a confidence boost after last week and should be put on the already struggling Rams receivers, not Kupp. Doubling Kupp and allowing Terrell to play man against his assignment makes a measure of sense as well though it doesn’t give Atlanta its best shot at shutting down one of the best weapons in football.