The Atlanta Falcons face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 without Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Can Cooper Rush lead Atlanta to an upset? Falcons Roundtable breaks down Bijan Robinson, Aaron Rodgers, key breakout players and predictions.
The season is about to begin for the Atlanta Falcons, and plenty of questions still remain about whether they can be successful enough to make the postseason for the first time in nearly 10 years.
As the team enters the season, Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they will be without many important players on their roster, including their starting quarterback and their backup quarterback.
On this week's Falcons roundtable, the staff discusses the things they must overcome to sneak a win in the first week of the season with their backs against the wall.
The Falcons will be without both Tua and Penix to begin the season. What are your thoughts on Atlanta's chances?
Michael Brauner: Welp, just when you think things couldn't get worse at QB, they just did. Rush is up against it, and an already challenging game for Atlanta just became borderline un-un-winnable. Now we know why the team kept four quarterbacks.
Christian Rauh: This obviously is not ideal, but going to your third quarterback, Cooper Rush, isn't the worst-case scenario. He has NFL experience and is very serviceable at the position. I'm not sure if it'll be enough, but it shouldn't be a blowout.
Out of all the new massive contracts signed this offseason, who has the biggest season opener?
Michael Brauner: Bijan Robinson. He is going to be the offense's most important player all year long.
Christian Rauh: Hard to disagree that it's Bijan, especially with the quarterback situation and how important it'll be for him to carry the workload.
It's the final first week for Aaron Rodgers' NFL career. How does the Falcons defense spoil his farewell?
Michael Brauner: Guys stepping up on the edge to make him uncomfortable. Rodgers can't move around like he once did, but if the Falcons don't generate any pass rush, that will not matter.
Christian Rauh: Rodgers is smart enough that you have to find a way to fluster him. You won't find that in disguise coverages. It must be through the pass rush.
Who is the player you're looking to potentially break out Week 1 for the Falcons?
Michael Brauner: Jahan Dotson. He has had a quiet summer, but it seems like the team sees him in a big role. I think he has a big Week 1.
Christian Rauh: Avieon Terrell. I love the story of him and his brother both playing in the same secondary. He has a huge ceiling. I'd love to see him make a big play against a future Hall of Famer to begin his NFL career.
Score prediction?
Michael Brauner: Steelers 24, Falcons 13. I just don't see it with Rush against a nasty pass rush and think it will be tough sledding for the offense
Christian Rauh: Steelers 17, Falcons 16. Something tells me this will be an ugly game for both sides, but unfortunately, I believe Atlanta will fall just short. Not enough time to prepare, with your third-string quarterback taking over the reins just days before the opening game of the season.
