FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons flipped the scripted from Week 1 to 2, going from a troublesome loss to a comeback win.
The difference between the two games? The Falcons offense.
While the unit was lackluster in the season-opening 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it pulled off a prime-time 22-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on the road at Lincoln Financial Field.
That begs the latest Question of the Week topic: Where did the Falcons prove themselves most in the Monday Night Football win? The editorial staff of Tori McElhaney, Terrin Waack and Amna Subhan answer. Will McFadden is sitting this one out due to vacation.
McELHANEY: Inside the two-minute.
The Falcons had 1:39 to drive 70 yards downfield, score and win. They did it in less time than that.
I have said it before and I will say it again, the six-play drive was a master class in a two-minute drill. Kirk Cousins was poised and firm in the pocket. He hit three different receivers, going 5-of-6 through the air. He commanded the operation like that of the true veteran of which he is. And the Falcons came out of Monday Night Football 1-1 because of it.
The Falcons entire game wasn't perfect, but when they had their backs against the wall, they showed up and executed to a degree that matches the expectations beholden to this offense.
After the game, players said as much.
"That's how our offense is. That's the real offense right there," Bijan Robinson said in the post-win locker room. "Obviously, we got to get in our groove and get in our rhythm from the beginning. But when we're clicking like that, we're hard to stop."
Darnell Mooney agreed.
"This is the expectation that we all see with our offense," the receiver explained.
In this moment, the offense proved their offense can be explosive. Now it's about proving it across four quarters of complete work.
WAACK: The Falcons better utilized wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, and therefore, the whole team thrived and the offense operated better.
The two combined for three receptions, six targets and 30 yards against the Steelers. Those numbers significantly increased versus the Eagles. London alone had six receptions on seven targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. Mooney had three receptions on seven targets for 88 yards and a touchdown. When combing those stats, London and Mooney joined for two touchdowns, nine receptions, 14 targets and 142 yards. Each count was either doubled or tripled.
Those two touchdowns were Atlanta's only, too. Mooney scored on a 41-yard pass in the third quarter. London caught the game-winning 7-yard pass in the fourth quarter.
Even with that uptick in production between London and Mooney, others didn't suffer in Philadelphia. Running back Bijan Robinson, for example, still had 14 carries for 97 yards, along with four receptions on five targets for 25 yards. It was his second week in a row with at least 100 yards from scrimmage. Tight end Kyle Pitts had three receptions on four targets for 20 yards, which was similar to his previous performance.
Also, it's not like the Falcons ran all that many more plays in Week 2 compared to Week 1. The total went from 50 to 58. So, that just goes to show how quarterback Kirk Cousins better distributed the ball. He shared the love, and Atlanta benefited from it in the process.
A well-balanced offense was the best takeaway from Monday's triumph.
SUBHAN: In Week 1, the Falcons totaled 89 rushing yards. In the next game, that went up to 152 yards. The run game was established, and everything else opened up.
Running back Bijan Robinson had 14 carries for 97 yards against the Eagles, which was four fewer carries but 32 more yards than against the Steelers. There seemed to be more creativity and thus more yardage.
Robinson had 72 rushing yards in the first half at Philadelphia. That total was more than half of his career games overall. He finished with 97 yards on the ground, the third most of his career.
We saw Tyler Allgeier more involved, too. Allgeier had just three carries for 21 yards in the first game, which went up to nine carries for 53 yards in the second game.
Not only that, but the Falcons broke out into the open field more so against the Eagles. Robinson's largest gain on the ground was 19 yards; Allgeier broke free for 15. Robinson had four double-digit long runs. For more evidence, Robinson was eighth in rushing yards across the league in Week 2 (for an even deeper look at the run game, Tori takes you inside her notebook).
Now, I'm looking for them to prove it again this week. Prove that it wasn't just situational, build on toward some consistency. Prove you can do it against another tough opponent like Kansas City.
View photos of the Falcons' Monday Night Football victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Sideline during the national anthem prior to the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 gets into the huddle before the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #26 returns a punt during the first half of the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 celebrates after a big play during the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 reacts after a sack during the third quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 throws a pass during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Joe Hale/Atlanta Falcons)
View of a fan during the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 flips into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Joe Hale/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 scores a touchdown during the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 and cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 react during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Joe Hale/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Joe Hale/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Joe Hale/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Joe Hale/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 reacts after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 reacts after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 reacts after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 and defensive end Demone Harris #91 react after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 reacts after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 and kicker Younghoe Koo #6 react after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 talks with SportsCenter after winning against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 reacts after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Joe Hale/Atlanta Falcons)
Locker room celebration after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 locker room celebration after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris locker room celebration after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #26 locker room celebration after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 locker room celebration after the Week 2 Game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
