Starting with a loss means there was more bad than good in week 1 for the Atlanta Falcons, but there are still plenty of things to enjoy; unfortunately, you won’t be able to thanks to all those bad things. Here are week ones: Good, Bad, and Ugly.
Grady Jarrett
Thank goodness Grady Jarrett returned to form immediately; otherwise, yesterday would’ve been even more dreadful. The team captain ended the day with 1.5 sacks while breaking the franchise record for quarterback hits. Welcome back, King.
Bijan Robinson
Even when the Pittsburgh Steelers knew what was coming, Bijan Robinson still gave them hell. The running back was promised a Christian McCaffery-sized workload, and that’s exactly what he got: 23 touches for 111 yards, which was on a bad day for the offense. The sky is the limit if they can get things clicking on that side of the ball.
AJ Terrell
Sir, I am not one for pocket-watching, but you’re gonna have to let me hold some if you come out and let a player on their first contract do that to you again. There are no excuses anymore; many have debated whether or not A.J. Terrell is truly elite, but his contract notes that he’s paid like he is, and that means you have to able to be left alone. Unfortunately, George Pickens had his way most of the afternoon, and Terrell will have to tighten that chinstrap cause AJ Brown is up next.
Kirk Cousins
Dagnabit man, it was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness! Kirk Cousins didn’t have the worst outing possible, but it was close. Multiple turnovers and general discomfort had the 35-year-old looking 53. He didn’t get much help from his OC but did little to help himself. Bust out the WD-40 and do whatever it takes to knock off that rust.
Zac Robinson
In Ron Burgundy’s words, that game plan was Bush League. You can’t only throw from a shotgun and only run from a pistol. That formula might work against your 11-year-old nephew when you play CFB25, but it won’t work in the big leagues. Kyle Pitts can’t be the emergency help for a TJ Watt situation, and before you ask, he can’t do that against Chris Jones either. Zac Robinson was highly touted for coming in, but the inexperience was evident yesterday.
Kaleb McGary
Look, Kaleb, it’s not us; it’s you, but it’s our fault for letting things go on this long. You’ve never changed, and that’s admirable. I mean, why would you? This team has paid you for years, and one more little lousy game isn’t changing anything. Plus, that TJ Watt fella is pretty dang good. We’ll see you back here a few more times this year, godspeed.
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