After watching the Atlanta Falcons' first two games of the 2026 NFL season unfold in the fashion that they did, it may be difficult for a lot of fans to see anything approaching a silver lining. New head coach Kevin Stefanski's team appears lost and rudderless in the early going.
And while two games feel like a lot because it is the entire sample size right now, let's remember that there are still 15 games left in the campaign and that the NFC South is wide open. The tide can turn in an instant, especially with how up and down the rest of the division has been so far.
To stay in line with that positive thinking, let's also talk about some reasons not to overreact to what feels like a brutal indictment of an 0-2 start. But to prove our objectivity, we will also outline a reason to panic about Atlanta's slow start. Let's dive in.
3 reasons not to overreact to Falcons' brutal 0-2 start to 2026 season
Quarterbacks are coming
Duh.
Things simply cannot be worse with Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa in the lineup than they were with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand. Sure, the former two aren't world-beaters, but they aren't going to get beaten by everyone in the world like the former two. There is at least hope for improvement.
With a better situation under center, the run game can be even more effective, and pieces like Drake London and Kyle Pitts can start to show up and transform this offense under Tommy Rees. It's not like either of these players is a cure-all, but they represent a significant upgrade with residual effects.
The Robinsons look like a heck of a RB duo
Falcons fans know exactly who Bijan Robinson is, and he's looked like one of the best offensive players in the NFL yet again this season, despite a horrific environment. But Brian Robinson Jr. also looked like a top-end complementary back, both on the ground and through the air, in Week 2.
If the Robinsons can continue to play well in the backfield, then that makes life substantially easier on Penix Jr. and keeps the opposing defense honest. Asking Atlanta's quarterbacks to do too much will get them in hot water, so having the run game to lean on is paramount.
Atlanta's rookie class looks solid
Avieon Terrell has been as advertised thus far, forcing several incompletions and not giving up much through the air while also helping in the run game. Zachariah Branch has made little impact on offense but looks great in the return game, and Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins look like solid linebackers.
Sure, none of them have jumped off the page, but they look like they are taking steps in the early going, and that is pivotal for a Falcons team with a lot of moving parts and positions to fill. The better the rookies play, the brighter the future is, no matter how this campaign ultimately goes.
1 reason to still panic about Atlanta's tough start to the 2026 season
Falcons still have a tough schedule ahead
It's not like Atlanta had an incredibly difficult opening two games, but the road certainly isn't easier. They'll take on the Green Bay Packers on the road in primetime in Week 3 before traveling to New Orleans for a road bout against a streaky but strong-looking Saints team.
Then, they return home for three games against the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. And it still doesn't get easier after that. So, Stefanski's team needs to dig deep because there are no soft landing spots on this schedule.
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