The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FALCONS PITIFUL IN OPENER
Vikings stood back and let Atlanta trip over themselves in ‘disturbing’ loss. Atlanta a no-show in loss to Vikings
The Falcons have a history of MINNEAPOLIS — playing poorly in opening games under coach
Dan Quinn.
Last season, they lost in Philadelphia. In 2017, they needed a goal-line stand to beat Chicago. And on Sunday, they did not show up, especially early, in Minnesota for a 28-12 loss to the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Quinn said he thought his team was well prepared for the tough season-opening matchup, but “to come out and perform like we did tonight was disturbing.”
For the Falcons, the first play of the game was a sack. The fourth play was a blocked punt. Things never got turned around as the Vikings took a 28-0 lead and the Falcons managed a couple of garbage-time touchdowns to make
the score look quasi-respectable.
Here are five things we learned from the defeat:
1. The new defense: The Falcons played a lot of 3-4, with defensive ends Vic Beasley, Takk McKinley and Adrian Clayborn standing up as outside linebackers. It didn’t matter as the Vikings were able to mash the Falcons with the run. Running back Dalvin Cook rushed 21 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, the Vikings rushed 38 times for 172 yards and three TDs. It was Quinn’s season-opening debut as the defensive signal-caller.
For the Falcons to win, they needed to shut down the run and force QB Kirk Cousins to beat them. With the rushing attack rolling, Cousins only attempted 10 passes. He was 8 of 10 for 98 yards and one touchdown. In addition to Cook, rookie Alexander Mattison had nine rushes for 49 yards.
Defensive tackle Tyeler Davison led the Falcons with eight tackles.
“We are all doing it together,” defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “We are going to go back to work together. We are going to get better together.”
2. Standing up: Beasley believes the Falcons’ new multiple defense is a work in progress. The Falcons, normally a 4-3 team under Quinn, started experimenting this offseason with 3-4 looks because they play eight games against teams with mobile quarterbacks or teams that run a lot of read-pass-option.
The Falcons didn’t function well in the new alignments. “We had the right play calls,” Beasley said. “We just have to execute.”
Beasley thinks some players are still adjusting to the scheme deviation. The Falcons will see some read-passoptions when they play the Eagles on Sunday night. 3. Ryan has shaky outing. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan completed 33 of 46 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 85.5. Both of the interceptions were on ill-advised throws.
On the first, he tried to force a pass to Julio Jones. On the second, from the 3-yard line he heaved up a jump ball. Both of the errant throws were intercepted by safety Anthony Harris.
“I think we all are a work in progress,” Ryan said. “That’s not what we are capable of today.”
4. Revamped offensive
line: The Falcons offensive line started all former first-round picks, but the group struggled. Ryan was sacked four times and hit seven times.
The rushing attack wasn’t a factor after the Falcons got behind 21-0 and had to pass.
Rookie Kaleb McGary started at right tackle. Ty Sambrailo also played. Rookie guard Chris Lindstorm also started but left the game with a foot injury.
“Obviously, there wasn’t a lot of glowing evaluations coming out of tonight’s game,” Quinn said. “The experience from Kaleb to get going against some good rushers, I know that pays dividends later.”
Also, left tackle Jake Matthews had a major battle with Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, who had a sack and another one nullified by a penalty.
5. Freeman has meek
return: Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who only played in two games last season because of injuries, returned to the starting lineup. Freeman killed a promising drive with a fumble on the Vikings’ 22-yard line. He rushed eight times for 19 yards and caught three of four targets for 12 yards in the passing game.