The Falcons left Sunday with a defense worth praising, a Bijan Robinson performance that kept the offense afloat, and a result that still exposed how fragile the whole operation really is. Against the Steelers, Atlanta and Pittsburgh produced one of the ugliest offensive games the NFL has seen, and all three touchdowns came off turnovers.
That kind of game can tempt people to point straight at the quarterback. Cooper Rush didn’t help much, sure, but the problems were broader than that. The offense looked shaky across the board, and the line in particular failed to hold up against a Pittsburgh front that made life miserable all afternoon.
Atlanta has poured major money into that group. Matthew Bergeron is now the highest-paid guard in the league, Chris Lindstrom is paid like one of the best at his spot, and Jake Matthews has long been well compensated at left tackle.
None of that showed up in the opener. The Falcons were flagged for holding six times, with four of those calls accepted, both of which sit dead last in the league after one week.
They also gave up four sacks, even though Rush dropped back only 26 times and was often throwing quick passes to the flat.
The Steelers’ line, anchored by T.J. Watt, is a tough test for anybody.
But Atlanta’s blockers are getting paid to handle tough tests, and they didn’t answer. That makes this more than a bad afternoon against a strong defense.
It’s a warning sign. If this level of play sticks, getting to six wins is going to be a problem.
Special teams didn’t do Atlanta any favors, either. The Falcons spent much of last season trying to solve their kicking issues, cycling through three different field goal kickers before Zane Gonzalez finally gave them some stability. He made 19 of 22 tries over the final nine games, but the new regime still moved on and chose 41-year-old Nick Folk.
In his first game with the Falcons, Folk missed two of four field goal attempts. That ended up mattering a lot, because Atlanta was chasing touchdowns late in the fourth quarter instead of trying to kick its way into the lead.
Folk has been one of the league’s steadiest kickers over the past three seasons, missing only three field goals since the start of the 2023 campaign, so he deserves some grace. Even so, he is closing in on 42, and that age tends to bring a sharp drop once things start going the wrong way.
There was also an injury toll to watch. Chris Lindstrom suffered a concussion in the loss, and his Week 2 status is uncertain.
The bigger concern may be the defensive front, where the depth is already being tested. James Pearce Jr. still has seven games left on his suspension.
Jalon Walker is out for the season with a torn ACL. Now Da’Shawn Hand is done for the year as well after suffering a torn quad.
That front was excellent against the Steelers, but the Falcons are losing bodies fast. If the attrition keeps building, the strain could show up later in the season.
In Other News...
Michael Penix Jr Puts Falcons Quarterback Decision Back In Play
Michael Penix Jr. was back as a full participant in practice this week, a notable step for a Falcons quarterback still working through recovery and one that immediately brings the position conversation back into focus. Atlanta had Penix sharing reps with Cooper Rush, a reminder that the quarterback room is very much in motion as the Falcons keep sorting out how they want to handle the position going forward.
The timing matters in a division where every team is watching the margin for error. Across the NFC South, Todd Bowles has already made it clear Baker Mayfield has to be sharper with the football, while Carolina is making roster moves of its own, waiving cornerback Jimmy Horn to open a spot for linebacker Tyrel Dodson. For Atlanta, though, the bigger picture is simpler: Penixs return to full work is putting the Falcons quarterback decision right back in play. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Newton Just Entered The Falcons Quarterback Conversation
Cam Newton resurfaced in the Falcons quarterback conversation this week by making a public case that he could still help an NFL team, even after not playing since 2021. The former Panthers star, who will be Hall of Fame eligible next year, also took aim at Atlantas recent quarterback decisions while noting that no team has reached out to him, despite the occasional fan push to bring him back.
For the Falcons, it is the kind of noise that follows any team still trying to settle its long-term answer under center. Newton said he understands a return is unlikely, but he made clear he would at least welcome the chance to be asked, drawing a contrast with other retired quarterbacks who have found their way back onto the field. For now, it is more a reminder of Atlantas ongoing search than a true sign of movement, but Newtons name has a way of keeping the discussion alive. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Suddenly Face A Bigger A.J. Terrell Question Than Expected
A.J. Terrell entered the 2026 season as one of the most trusted pieces of Atlantas defense, but the early returns have made his spot under a brighter light than the Falcons probably expected. In Week 1 against the Steelers, he had a rough afternoon in coverage, with multiple catches allowed and penalties adding to the frustration, and Pro Football Focus had him graded near the bottom among qualified cornerbacks for the game.
Even with those concerns about both health and performance, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has continued to speak in unmistakably strong terms about Terrell, publicly calling him the best boundary corner in the NFL. For Atlanta, that creates a real crossroads: the Falcons still need Terrell to look like a shutdown player, but now they have to balance confidence in his track record against the possibility that the decline is more than just a one-game blip. [Read more 🡒]