The Falcons’ season opener may end up being decided less by Tua Tagovailoa than by the five guys charged with keeping him clean.
Atlanta has named Tagovailoa its Week 1 starter, with Michael Penix Jr. listed as a healthy inactive, and that decision gives the Falcons a clear direction entering their matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But clarity at quarterback does not mean comfort. Tagovailoa’s camp struggles have already clouded expectations for the opener, and the bigger concern is whether Atlanta can keep him upright long enough for any of it to matter.
That burden lands squarely on an offensive line that has been reshuffled in key spots. The Falcons moved on from offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford and brought in Bill Callahan, a living legend in the business.
They also have a new right tackle in Jawaan Taylor after Kaleb McGary retired. Atlanta returns four of five starters, but there’s still enough change here to make Week 1 feel like a trial by fire.
The left-handed Tagovailoa changes the protection picture, too. Jake Matthews, who is entering his age-34 season, won’t be guarding the blind side.
That job belongs to Taylor, and that’s where the concern starts to pile up. Taylor was one of the worst-graded tackles in the NFL last season and has been called for pre-snap penalties often enough to be a real problem.
He may be an upgrade over Elijah WIlkinson, but that only goes so far against this kind of opponent.
And Pittsburgh is a rough place to ease into a new setup. The Steelers finished sixth in the NFL with 48 sacks last season, and the personnel up front explains why that number is so intimidating.
T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon headline a group that can wreck a game on its own, and the pressure doesn’t stop there.
Pittsburgh also has an elite linebacker room in Alex Highsmith, Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, all of whom can get after the quarterback.
So yes, Tagovailoa’s play matters. If he can overcome his limitations, Atlanta has a chance to benefit from a better situation.
But in this opener, the Falcons’ offensive line may end up being the real swing factor. If it holds up, Atlanta can start 1-0.
If it doesn’t, the night could unravel fast.
In Other News...
Falcons Let A Winnable Opener Slip Away For One Big Reason
For stretches in the opener, the Falcons had every reason to think they could leave Pittsburgh with a win. They stayed in the game long enough to make it a one-score fight, and the result was still there for the taking until T.J. Watt turned the afternoon with a game-changing interception return touchdown that swung the momentum and helped the Steelers pull away for a 20-13 win.
Aaron Rodgers finished 24 of 40 for 221 yards and a touchdown, while Cooper Rush threw for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, but the defining play was the one Atlanta could not afford to give away. Instead of opening the season at 1-0, the Falcons head home at 0-1 with Carolina next, already searching for the cleaner finish that might have made this a very different postgame conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Enter Week 1 Already Fighting To Keep Offense Together
The Falcons are heading into Week 1 with an offense already patched together, as injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. have pushed Cooper Rush into the starting quarterback role against the Steelers. With the depth chart thinned out in more than one spot, Atlanta has even had to get creative with roster coverage, naming Olamide Zaccheaus as an emergency third-string quarterback and running back.
Kevin Stefanski is clearly aware of the balancing act ahead, urging Rush to lean on Bijan Robinson and the other playmakers around him as the Falcons try to keep the offense functional early. It is a reminder that before the first snap is even taken, Atlanta is already dealing with the kind of Week 1 uncertainty teams usually hope to avoid. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Pass Rush Suddenly Puts Cameron Thomas Under Real Pressure
Cameron Thomas has gone from camp standout to Week 1 starter on the edge, giving the Falcons a clearer answer opposite Brandon Dorlus as they open the season. Atlanta is leaning on a rotation at pass rusher because injuries and suspensions have thinned that group, and Thomas earned the job by putting together a strong training camp.
Za'Darius Smith is still part of the mix, but he is working his way back into football shape after stepping away last season, which makes the early workload around him more interesting. For Thomas, the chance is real and immediate, and the way Atlanta handles that edge rotation will say plenty about how ready it thinks this pass rush is right now. [Read more 🡒]