The Struggles of the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are in a tough spot right now. Any optimism that fans might have had dissipated after a painful divisional defeat to the Carolina Panthers, who decisively beat them 34-3, even pulling their starters with two minutes to spare. It was that kind of game.
Blaming the quarterback situation alone misses the point. This wasn’t just a day for the Falcons’ passer issues; they showed up unprepared for the second week in a row. There’s clearly a deeper issue with their game strategy and preparation. Throughout the game, it felt like they had no coherent plan against the Panthers’ defense or any real understanding of the Carolina offense.
That disconnect was evident during the game. Bijan Robinson had a tough day; Carolina prioritized stopping him. And as for the quarterback performance? Well, let’s just say the visuals told their own story.
It should have been straightforward to exploit Carolina’s weaknesses. They were primarily focused on containing Robinson, leaving openings that could have been targeted—like quick slants to shift the momentum. But that just didn’t happen. Instead, it was Cooper Rush and later Jack Strand attempting to implement the same Falcons offense, never finding their rhythm. The repeated three-and-outs led to boos echoing from frustrated fans, while the Panthers added to their lead.
The blame for this mess lands squarely on Kevin Stefanski. The Falcons’ offensive start this season has not just been subpar; it’s potentially one of the worst in modern football history.
While they need to improve under a new quarterback, the grim statistics are concerning—a -54.58 EPA, which, if projected over the season, would amount to a staggering -463.93. To put this in perspective, the 2023 New York Jets, who had a notoriously poor offense, managed a -313.65 in the end. It’s clear the Falcons are trailing significantly behind, especially considering they haven’t faced elite defensive teams yet.
Atlanta ranks as the worst passing team, which really hampers Robinson’s season, who’s also suffering under their low rushing effectiveness, currently sitting at 26th in rush EPA. Now, as they prepare for a quick turnaround against the Packers on Thursday night, I can’t help but wonder if the current coaching staff can set Michael Penix Jr. up for success amid this turmoil.
Stefanski has, rather surprisingly, managed to dodge serious criticism for a while, buoyed by two Coach of the Year awards. But those came during a time when he guided the Browns to mediocrity. Many were hoping he’d shine in Atlanta, given the talent at his disposal. Yet, somehow, he’s managed to worsen the situation.
Things are looking grim for the team, and they’ll have the chance to showcase their struggles for a national audience with three consecutive primetime games. It’s frankly a situation that neither fans nor team deserve.
Speaking of the quarterback landscape, Bryce Young also deserves acknowledgment this week. He’s performing at an impressive level, really stepping up with the right receivers and an offensive system that plays to his strengths. This season finally seems like the one where everything is clicking for him.
The game seems to be slowing down for Young in his fourth year. He’s displaying poise under pressure, avoiding premature throws, and his offensive scheme has allowed for deeper plays, showcasing his development.
His impressive stats through two games speak volumes: 46 completions on 73 attempts, yielding 648 yards, six touchdowns, one interception, and even a rushing touchdown. It sounds great to compare his growth to Josh Allen, who is currently dominating, but Young isn’t trailing too far behind.
Losers: The Chargers
The Chargers are in complete disarray. Despite the Raiders looking rejuvenated under Klint Kubiak and Kirk Cousins, the Chargers have yet to meet their potential and find themselves at 0-2. Their upcoming schedule is daunting, featuring games against the Bills, Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs, Rams, Texans, and Ravens, and it’s hard to identify many wins when considering their current form.
This conversation has shifted from simply asking whether this season could be theirs to whether it’s time to overhaul the entire organization. Watching Justin Herbert regress has been surreal; the offense seems out of sync with McDaniel’s new wrinkles. This team feels stuck, and it’s unclear where they go from here.
Winners: New Orleans Saints
On the other hand, the Saints are quietly becoming the best team nobody talks about. They pushed the Lions to the brink in their opening game and followed that up by defeating the Ravens, showcasing resilience against top-tier opponents.
The Saints are an intriguing bunch; they often start games slowly but seem to find their stride, particularly in the second half. Tyler Shough is playing remarkably well, and their ability to adapt mid-game is something to watch.
While Aaron Rodgers struggles in Pittsburgh, seemingly sinking his own legacy, it’s a poor contrast to the Falcons’ struggles. Atlanta has a genuine QB crisis, but Rodgers doesn’t. The Steelers worked hard to provide him with what he needed for a playoff run, and it’s not working. They were lucky to snag a win against the Falcons or they might have been staring down an 0-2 record—though maybe that would push them toward finding their next franchise quarterback.
The matchup this weekend between the Vikings and Bears offered a chance to see how each team’s coaches would adapt. Brian Flores outsmarted Ben Johnson, rendering a once-dominant Chicago offense ineffective. If the Vikings could enhance their offensive performance, they could easily become one of the league’s best teams.
For now, though, they are the top defensive squad, and that’s certainly worthwhile.
