The Atlanta Falcons had the most predictable Week 1 game possible: in the 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they couldn't move the ball on offense and missed field goals, while, much like last year, the defense played well enough.
It is the same story, different year. Hopefully, the inevitable quarterback change will spark this dead offense in the next week or two.
There were a few clear winners and losers from the first game of season.
Winners and losers from an another ugly showing by the Atlanta Falcons
Loser: Cooper Rush, QB
It didn't take long for us to realize the Falcons' starting quarterback would have a bad showing. He looked panicked each time he dropped back to pass, rightfully so, and delivered inaccurate passes to open receivers.
That underthrown pass to Kyle Pitts after Pitts burned Jalen Ramsey was a killer. A perfect pass likely would've led to a touchdown, or at least a massive gain, and who knows where the game would go from there.
And then there were the two interceptions that directly and indirectly led to Steelers touchdowns. He was far from a game-managing backup.
Winner: Jeff Ulbrich
Jeff Ulbrich's unit did everything to win this game. They attacked Mike McCarthy's offense like they feared no one.
The biggest thing was their ability to stop the run. They couldn't stop the run last year, but on Sunday they allowed just 58 rushing yards on 21 carries. Clearly, the big-bodied additions on the interior are paying off.
They held the Steelers to 3-13 on third down and kept the total yardage nearly even between these two teams (Steelers: 264, Falcons: 238).
Loser: Jawaan Taylor, RT (and the rest of the O Line)
There are no words to explain just how bad Jawaan Taylor was in his Falcons debut. Sure, he was going against T.J. Watt, but he didn't win a single rep and looked disinterested.
When Rush threw the ball into Watt's hands with Taylor trying to block him, Taylor stood there and watched his opponent get back on his feet and run for a touchdown. The effort was putrid.
Winner: Za'Darius Smith, DE
We didn't know quite what we were going to get with the unretired Za'Darius Smith, but now we do. We got a veteran who is savvy and has enough left in the gas tank to be a key contributor for the defense.
Coming out of retirement and immediately recording three tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss is quite impressive.
Loser: Pass catchers
It had to have been frustrating to be Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and co.
This was a big game for all of them; the Falcons handed new contracts to London, Pitts, Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Austin Hooper this offseason. What did they get from them in game one? 4 catches for 53 yards and no touchdowns. Embarrassing.
Winner: NFC South standings
All four NFC South teams lost on Sunday afternoon, with each showing real reasons to be concerned. The Panthers lost 59-37 to the Bears, the Buccaneers lost 33-27 to the Bengals, and the Saints lost 31-30 to the Lions.
Quarterbacks struggled turning the ball over, with Tyler Shough throwing two interceptions and fumbling twice (losing one), Baker Mayfield losing three fumbles, one of which went for a touchdown, and Bryce Young throwing an interception.
So, while each team lost, they each find themselves in the same exact spot heading into Week 2.
Loser: Nick Folk, K
Another year, another week of missed field goals. It feels like no matter what this team does, they can't put the ball through the uprights early in the season.
If Folk had made those two kicks, who knows what the end result of that game would have been. Those six points completely changed how the two teams played.
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