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The Falcons won the fourth quarter to win their week-one contest against their division rival Carolina Panthers. 

Running back Bijan Robinson showed why he was selected eighth overall in the most recent NFL draft with a combination of elusiveness, burst and vision. 

Robinson’s debut was overshadowed by that of safety Jessie Bates III, who in his Falcons debut intercepted Bryce Young twice and forced a fumble. Bates III, in the first game of a four year, $64 million deal, was a one-man show on defense for the first three quarters until the Atlanta pass rush finally woke up in the fourth quarter. 

Bates III’s performance held the Panthers in check as the Carolina offensive line provided Young with excellent pass protection in the Alabama product’s debut.

The Dirty Birds attacked their division rival with a bland array of four-man pass rushes until the fourth quarter, when they finally sacked Young. Falcons fans have grown accustomed to a blitz-heavy defense since Arthur Smith took over as head coach in 2021, so it was surprising to see the team deviate from that scheme to start the game. They began to blitz as they gained the lead early in the fourth quarter, which helped them to outscore the Panthers 14-0 in the game’s final period.

This game also marked the beginning of the ‘Desmond Ridder era,’ the official changing of the guard as the Falcons organization places their faith in the second-year quarterback from Cincinnati. Ridder had a rough start, at one point having negative passing yards, but came on with the rest of the team as the game went on. He threw a nice pass into double coverage to tight end Kyle Pitts to set up a Tyler Allgeier touchdown.

Second-year running back Allgeier was the Falcons premier offensive player today. He scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, scores that proved the difference in today’s contest. Robinson scored the other touchdown for Atlanta, showing that there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone in Atlanta’s loaded running back room. Ideally a three-man rotation of Robinson, Allgeier, and Cordarrelle Patterson will share touches to keep each other from getting too worn down as the season progresses. The run game is undoubtedly the offensive strength of the Falcons. 

Their offensive line, anchored by $100 million guard Chris Lindstrom, ranks among the best in the NFL. They’ll need that group to show out next week against the Green Bay Packers strong front seven, a group that just made things difficult for the Chicago Bears in week one.

Atlanta will host the Packers for the first time since 2017 next Sunday. Green Bay presents a more formidable foe and better litmus test than the rebuilding Panthers. The Falcons are in a weak looking NFC South with a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in six years. They have to play better than they did today, win or not. They have the talent. They need to execute. Things will only be harder from here on out.