Falcons 2023 record: 1-0 (T-1st in NFC South)
Opponent: Carolina Panthers
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Final: Falcons (24) – Panthers (10)
Notable Falcons Performances:
RB Tyler Allgeier – 15 carries for 75 YDs, 2 TDs; 3 REC for 19 YDs
RB Bijan Robinson – 10 carries for 56 YDs; 6 REC for 27 YDs, 1 TD
FS Jessie Bates III – 10 tackles, 2 INT, 1 forced fumble
LB Troy Andersen – 10 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit
Notable Panthers Performances:
QB Bryce Young – 20/38 (52.6%) for 146 YDs, 1 TD, 2 INT
TE Hayden Hurst – 5 REC for 41 YDs, 1 TD
DT Derrick Brown – 9 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 QB hit
OLB Brian Burns – 7 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit
Takeaways:
The Falcons came out of the gate extremely slow, especially on offense (maybe the starters should have played more than just one drive in the preseason??). The run game is still as dominant as ever. The two-headed monster of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier is going to be a force, however the main wonder is will Arthur Smith be able to loosen up some and trust Desmond Ridder to throw the ball more down the field? Second-year wide receiver Drake London played 90% of the offensive snaps and only saw one target, and tight end Kyle Pitts only hauled in a mere two catches but led the team with 44 reception yards. Coach Smith has promised to get it cleaned up, but with a stingy Packers defense coming to town next week it’ll surely be a challenge. The defense looked much improved after a slow start to the first half. New defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen did a great job of dialing up pressure on rookie quarterback Bryce Young. The money invested in free safety Jessie Bates III seems to be worth it and then some. In his first start as an Atlanta Falcons Bates forced two interceptions and a fumble helping the team catch a rhythm on both sides of the ball. He will be a catalyst on this team as a whole. Next week, the Falcons face off against the Green Bay Packers who are also going through a quarterback transition with hopes of rattling him at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
