The Atlanta Falcons' home opener got so bad that even Falcons fans weren't happy with what they saw. The 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers saw those in attendance rain down boos on the team, especially for Cooper Rush and the offense following his three-turnover game in the blowout loss.
The Falcons got straight up out-played in every facet. Offense, defense, and special teams. It was about the least encouraging performance we could've seen in Kevin Stefanski's home debut, and it seems like those who spent money to spend the afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium are the only ones are who are dissatisfied. Star linebacker Divine Deablo is telling the fanbase to get in line.
While addressing the media after the game, Deablo was asked about the fans booing, and he knew better than to try and defend a dismal showing. He instead opted to hold Atlanta accountable after a messy start to 2026, and he did so through a short but simple sentence that got his point across.
"I dont blame them," Deablo told Sports Illustrated's Garrett Chapman.
Divine Deablo doesn't blame Falcons fans for booing in the Week 2 loss
Deablo is a first-time captain, and he's clearly taking his responsibilities seriously. He won't sugarcoat what we saw. Everyone with a pulse (especially those who witnessed it in person), saw the Falcons look lifeless today, and his words will certainly add insult to injury amid their first 0-2 start since 2020.
Frankly, the 28-year-old is just saying what we were all thinking. A performance like this won't cut it--and even the guys in the locker room know they are capable of more. And the best way to motivate the Dirty Birds to turn things around is to keep things real--but also not losing hope in this group.
With Kaden Elliss gone, Divine Deablo is the player wearing the green dot and will have to offer the cold hard truth and be willing to speak on this team's shortcomings. We all know they're there, so there's no reason to pretend like they aren't--unless you want to live in a fantasyland--and clearly Deablo expects more.
The interesting part here is that Deablo wasn't the only captain who had something to say on the fans booing. Jessie Bates III was also asked about it, and they had similar viewpoints on how fans reacted to an awful performance. So evidently he isn't alone in thinking this team can do more to make the fans proud.
“This city is prideful," Bates told Will McFadden. "I’ve been here for four years now, and they want to win. This locker room understands that. This organization deserves to win. This city deserves to win. So, [I] understand the frustrations.”
In the NFL, the best way to improve is to hold yourself accountable. You have to be introspective and take the bad with the good so you can learn from it and improve. All of the external noise about this team won't be what motivates them to be better. It has to come from within, from a guy like Deablo.
Regardless of how you slice it, the Atlanta Falcons turned in a downright awful performance in Week 2--and while Divine Deablo's reaction to the fans booing does sting, it's the only that'll resonate in helping them learn from it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google