Atlanta Falcons: 3 Studs and duds in Week 1 vs. Seahawks

Stud: Rush defense

During the 2019 season, the Falcons defensive unit struggled a bit to hold opposing offenses in check throughout any given game. Although Seattle still had its way through the air and in the passing game, the Falcons did do a nice job of holding the Seahawks in check for the most part in the rushing attack.

In the game, Atlanta held Seattle to a total of just 84 yards on the ground, 29 of which came from quarterback Russell Wilson.

If there was one bright spot on the defense for Atlanta in a game where it gave up nearly 40 points on its home field was the run defense and the ability to shut that effort down in the season opener.

Dud: Turnovers

Regardless of who a team is playing, you don’t want to give an opposing offense more chances than they should have to stretch a lead and potentially take the game over. You especially don’t want that to happen when facing a team as powerful as Seattle.

In the loss, Atlanta turned the ball over twice, once through the air and once via a fumble. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was credited with the interception, while Sharrod Neasman also had a fumble that was recovered by the Seahawks.

Week-in and week-out in the NFL, you can’t shoot yourself in the foot when it comes to turning the ball over and allowing the other team to gain some momentum. That’s something Atlanta needs to focus on starting in Week 2 next Sunday.