Jeff Ulbrich’s Falcons defense opened the season by answering the biggest doubt around this team.
Atlanta’s offense never really got going with Cooper Rush starting in the season opener against the Steelers, but the Falcons still hung around in a 20-13 loss. That was not because Bijan Robinson carried the load by himself. The defense was the side that showed up, and it looked far better than many expected heading into the year.
That skepticism made sense on paper. The Falcons were coming off a franchise-record 59 sacks, but they entered 2026 without their two best pass-rushers.
Jalon Walker is out for the season with an ACL tear, and James Pearce Jr. is serving an eight-game suspension after an offseason arrest. That kind of hit usually forces a step back.
Instead, Ulbrich’s unit kept the Steelers to 226 total yards, their fewest in a Week 1 game since 1977. Against Aaron Rodgers and a Pittsburgh offense featuring Rico Dowdle, Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf, and Michael Pittman Jr., Atlanta made the game feel much tighter than the personnel gap suggested.
The advanced numbers back up the eye test. The Falcons finished with -0.36 EPA per play, third in the NFL, and -22.73 total EPA, which ranked first. Their 31.25% EPA success rate also led the league, while their EPA splits came in at -0.38 against the pass and -0.31 against the run, good for sixth and third, respectively.
That kind of production stands out even more when you factor in who was missing. With Walker and Pearce unavailable, the pass rush leaned on Cameron Thomas, Za'Darius Smith, Samson Ebukam, and Bralen Trice. Atlanta still rushed four against Rodgers and found pressure consistently enough to make life difficult.
The improvement against the run was just as notable. The Falcons were one of the league’s worst run defenses in 2025, but they already looked cleaner in that area in Week 1.
Maason Smith filled in for Ruke Orhorhoro, and Da'Shawn Hand and Gervon Dexter were in the mix instead of David Onyemata. Ulbrich and Nate Ollie got more out of that defensive tackle group than many would have expected.
Last season, Ulbrich’s defense was defined by its ability to pile up sacks and get after the quarterback. This version looks more complete. The opener suggested the Falcons can still be disruptive even when the personnel picture gets messy, and that Ulbrich keeps finding ways to squeeze production out of whatever he has in front of him.
In Other News...
Falcons QB Mess Could Create A Surprising Week 2 Red Zone Role
The Falcons quarterback situation has already forced the team into an unusual Week 2 setup, with Cooper Rush expected to start because of injuries to Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. It is the kind of shuffle that can change how an offense operates near the goal line, especially when a coaching staff is trying to protect a patchwork depth chart and find any edge in tight spaces.
One intriguing wrinkle is the idea that backup Jack Strand could be worked into short-yardage snaps as a sneak option. ESPNs Ben Solak floated the possibility that Strands size could make him a natural fit for that kind of specialist job, which would give Atlanta a very different red zone look if the Falcons decide to get creative. It is still just a projection, not a confirmed plan, but it is the sort of detail that makes this quarterback situation worth watching beyond the obvious starter question. [Read more 🡒]
Bijan Robinson Could Own Falcons Home Opener For One Big Reason
Bijan Robinson was already a central figure in the Falcons season opener, piling up 21 carries for 83 yards and adding eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown as Atlanta leaned on him heavily to move the offense. A big share of the teams production flowed through him, and that kind of usage is exactly why he is worth watching as the Falcons turn from their road opener to their first game in Atlanta.
The matchup only adds to the intrigue. Carolinas run defense struggled badly in its opener, giving up nearly 300 rushing yards, which gives Atlanta a clear path to keep feeding Robinson if the game unfolds the way the Falcons want. If Atlanta can control the line of scrimmage early, Robinson could be set up for another featured role in front of the home crowd. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Need Nick Folk To Steady One Early Concern Fast
Nick Folks first Sunday in a Falcons uniform came with a mixed bag, and for a team that left Pittsburgh with plenty to sort through, the kicking game jumped out early. In Week 1 against the Steelers, Folk missed two field goals to open the game, an unusual start for a veteran brought in to provide stability, before settling in and drilling two long-range kicks later on. Special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman called the misses uncharacteristic and said Folk kept his confidence intact, which at least gives Atlanta reason to believe the rough opening was more blip than trend.
Still, the Falcons do not have much room to let an early concern linger, especially with another division matchup coming against the Carolina Panthers. In a season where every point matters and special teams can swing close games, Atlanta needs Folk to look like the steady presence the club expected when it trusted him with the job. The next chance arrives quickly, and the Falcons will be watching closely to see whether the first-half hiccups are put behind them just as fast. [Read more 🡒]