BrownsAtlanta Falcons: the NFC South after Week 1
The Falcons lost 20-13 at Pittsburgh in Kevin Stefanski's debut as head coach. Cooper Rush started in place of an injured Tua Tagovailoa, and right guard Chris Lindstrom left the game and entered the concussion protocol.
Atlanta Falcons0-1
How they play
Offense
Stefanski's offense leans on the run, pairing Bijan Robinson with free agent addition Brian Robinson Jr. behind a zone-blocking line, with play action to Drake London and Kyle Pitts down the field.
Defense
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, retained from the previous staff, mixes man and zone fronts and pushed Atlanta to a franchise-record sack total in 2025, with the pass rush again the unit's calling card.
Strengths
- Bijan Robinson as a three-down back who wins as a rusher and receiver
- Drake London and Kyle Pitts give the passing game two big, physical targets
- A pass rush under Jeff Ulbrich that set a franchise sack record in 2025
Weaknesses
- An unresolved three-way quarterback competition between Cooper Rush, Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
- An offense that finished 24th in scoring in 2025 despite its skill talent
- Offensive line depth thin after Chris Lindstrom's concussion
Key players
Led the NFL in scrimmage yards in 2025 and remains the offense's centerpiece.
The clear No. 1 target after a healthy offseason.
Finished 2025 as the league's No. 2 fantasy tight end.
All-Pro guard in the concussion protocol after Week 1.
Falcons injury report
Injury watch
Right guard Chris Lindstrom is in the concussion protocol, and his clearance will decide whether he plays Week 2. Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand is out for the season with a quad injury, and Michael Penix Jr. still has no firm return date from the ACL tear he suffered against Carolina in November 2025, with Week 2 or Week 3 mentioned as a target.
| Player | Pos | Status | Injury | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Da'Shawn Hand | DT | Out | Quadriceps | Sep 14 |
| Storm Norton | OT | Out | Foot | Sep 8 |
| Billy Bowman Jr. | CB | Questionable | Achilles | Sep 15 |
| Chris Lindstrom | G | Questionable | Concussion | Sep 13 |
| Michael Penix Jr. | QB | Questionable | Knee - ACL | Sep 15 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Questionable | Oblique | Sep 15 |
| Cameron Williams | OL | Injured Reserve | Ankle | Sep 12 |
| Trey Sermon | RB | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed | Sep 8 |
Falcons vs Buccaneers in 2026
The Bucs angle
Tampa Bay opens its season series with Atlanta in Week 8 at Raymond James Stadium on November 1, then closes it in Atlanta in Week 16. A murky Falcons quarterback picture is one of the biggest swing factors in how those two games play out.