As much as they tried, Atlanta Falcons couldn’t get it done in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Yet there are still some positives.
The 2024 schedule will continue to be a difficult one for the Birds, but then again, there’s a good chance things turn around.
Nonetheless, there were some positives that came out of the game that we should glean from.
1. The Falcons Defense is Legit
The Falcons defense allowed no touchdowns in Week 1 and is the only team to accomplish the feat.
Atlanta’s defenders continued to clog running and passing lanes, limiting the Steelers to 270 total yards. Sure, the black and yellow’s running game churned 137 yards led by Najee Harris, but the Falcons largely limited him to 20 yards and 70 yards.
2. A Real Homefield Advantage
Although it was just the first game, Dirty Bird fans came out in abundance. And yes, Pittsburgh fans traveled very well.
Attendance for the game was 72,291, which is a packed house by all accounts. If the Falcons faithful can keep this up, home-field advantage could turn into a sixth-man experience, making it difficult for opposing teams to call plays or hear themselves.
3. No Major Injuries
Most importantly, the Falcons got out of the game with no major injuries. Playing the Steelers can often leave players in black-and-blue mode. From either team the only big-name player who was hurt was Pittsburgh starting quarterback Russell Wilson, who injured the calf in training camp in late July.
According to the team’s postgame report, nobody suffered anything major.
4. They Will Get Better
Everyone knows that the Falcons’ starters have not spent a lot of time on the field together. Even former Atlanta signal caller Matt Ryan says that they simply need more time and that they were “out of sync.”
5. It’s Just One Game
The Falcons have 17 other games to play and many of them will be at home just like this one. You can bet that the Falcons will correct their mistakes and give the NFC South a run for its money.
Final Play
The Falcons proved that they can play with a team known for its stingy defense and ball-control offense. With 2 minutes in the game, the Falcons had a chance to take the lead and likely win the game. It didn’t happen, but that’s not to say that they can’t make it so next week against the Philadelphia Eagles. Do you believe? The Dirty Birds sure do.
