The Atlanta Falcons have a major bright spot in this defense.
The Atlanta Falcons were defeated in Week 1 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a showdown which was marked largely by a lack of quality quarterback play with the team down to its third string option.
Much has been made and will continue to be made about the situation at QB as Atlanta continues to try to figure out the best course of action forward, but it's not all doom and gloom for Falcons fans coming off the loss. Offensively there may not have been many real bright spots, but on the other side of the ball, there was a whole lot to like.
As it turns out, Atlanta is being recognized around the league for one of the most impressive defensive showings of the entire week. Pro Football Network uses advanced analytics and data to put together the most impactful defense rankings every week, and with an overall score of 87.5, the Falcons were second in all of football behind only the Kansas City Chiefs.
Falcons Had Second-Best Defensive Performance of Week 1
Using measurements like expected points added per play, success rate allowed, and success percentage against the opponent, Atlanta clearly turned some heads with a defensive showing that sent waves across the league.
Allowing just 58 yards on the ground to a Steelers team that wants to run the ball, the Falcons held Pittsburgh to just 3 of 13 on third down as well as twice securing turnovers on downs with fourth down stops. Despite the defeat and the situation on offense, Atlanta actually found a way to win the time of possession battle, something which is almost impossible to do with a quarterback who does not have a whole lot of experience.
While there are no moral victories in this league, looking at the bright side of things a little bit, it's clear that it was not all bad for the Falcons during the loss to the Steelers.
If one of its two quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. can get back on the field, they will be doing so with a defense that will give them a chance in each and every game. That kind of value cannot be understated, and it could give some real hope to Atlanta's chances this season.
Falcons fans should take solace in the fact that even with several injuries, suspensions and new faces, this defense is legitimate and is not going anywhere.
