Welcome to Hunter’s Hangout, it’s a one-stop shop for all of my pregame thoughts and feelings and just a place where I can ramble week in and week out about the Atlanta Falcons.
So, let me set the scene:
Late 4th quarter, the Philadelphia Eagles are driving. Looks like the game is over. Hunter and friends are sad in a North Atlanta Taco Mac.
But then, all of a sudden, Saquon Barkley drops the perfect pass and play call. And suddenly, the game's back on. As the Falcons get the ball and start driving, you feel the energy and the crowd in this Taco Mac building.
Beers are being ordered, the crowd getting louder and larger, the Falcons keep driving. The energy and vibes were immaculate. 38 seconds left, Kirk Cousins drops back. Sees Drake London break outside beating Darius Slay, throws it. Touchdown Falcons!
The lost Taco Mac ERUPTS into a frenzy. People are cheering, high fives everywhere, and it really felt like the first time in years that the Falcons were back since the era of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones.
I’m sure after writing that out, it’ll age incredibly poorly because that’s just how the Falcons operate. But here we are and I’m just soaking in the moment.
Week 2 Thoughts
Offense: God, the offense was rolling in the second half against Philly. Zac Robinson came out with a much-improved gameplan with a much more unique offense at least from where the QB was lined up. Mixing in a variety of UC (under center), pistol, and shotgun looks. Bijan Robinson once again showed why we drafted him at 8th overall with him out dueling Eagles star Barkley on the ground game. Bijan had a total of 18 touches for 122 yards while Barkley had 116 yards on 26 touches.
And onto the QB play. Kirk looked drastically better as the game went on. Still has some misses that he probably shouldn’t have missed, but hopefully, that game-winning drive is something he can build on. And shows him that his Achilles is stable.
Defense: The defense had moments of looking legit. They also showed some glaring issues that are going to need to be addressed if the Falcons hope to build off of that huge win. Our pass rush is drastically improved with Matt Judon, but it’s still not great. Very much a late 2000’s and early 2010’s Falcons with John Abraham and that’s it.
Another concern is the linebacker room. The injury to Nate Landman is putting a strain on the room. Not having Landman to help play and correct Troy Andersen is massive. Andersen plays with his hair on fire and just flies around, Landman is able to make him correct and play off of Andersen while Kaden Ellis is being used as a jack of all trades. Now Ellis is being used to make Andersen correct and we lose the Jack, or we play him at Jack and let Andersen run around like a banshee. It’s truly a tough place.
Week 3 Preview:
The Falcons have a brutal matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and their high-powered offense. The injury to Isaiah Pacheco should be something that should help slow them down. But they still have: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and one of the best interior offensive lines in the NFL. Not something that matches well against Atlanta.
Atlanta does have the home crowd who should be ROCKING the Benz after that performance on Monday. If things go well, this should be a slugfest between some heavy-hitting offenses. If it goes poorly, the Falcons are in for a rough time against the Chiefs.
What should we be concerned about this week against Kansas City?
Patrick Mahomes
Is anyone surprised? I don’t care what anyone says, Mahomes will probably retire as the greatest quarterback of all time even if he doesn’t catch Brady’s rings. The talent is unreal and he is a superstar in every sense of the word. Absolutely a game changer who can make this game a nightmare for us.
Rice vs our nickel/LB’s
As we have seen plenty this season already, Rice lining up in the slot is a nightmare matchup. Looking at our options of how to lock him down and who could play the nickel, our options are bleak.
When KC starts whipping out the RPO action, all they have to do is read the backer. If he bites, it's a quick pass to Rice. If he drops to Rice, the running back hypothetically hits the gap that the backer should be in. Nightmare fuel. Even if Dee Alford or Richie Grant or Clark Phillips is lined up as the nickel, Rice is too talented. It’s going to be an issues.
Spags All Out Pressure
Steve Spagnuolo is the leader of one of the most aggressive defenses in the league. He’s a mastermind of exotic blitzes and being aggressive. With Kirk having the week 1 that he had, it’s only fair to include the threat of a blitz from a mind like Spags, could be a detriment to the Falcons offense after an impressive Week 2 performance.
Drink of Choice this week
This might have been the toughest section to write this week. All week long I have been trying to imagine what Cousins would be drinking after a Monday Night Game-Winning drive because I want to feel like my quarterback.
I think have finally narrowed it down.
Cousins is a Midwest kid from Illinois, who went to school at Michigan State and spent the last few years of his career in Minnesota. I can almost guarantee you this man has put down plenty of Budweiser’s in his day. So in honor of our new midwestern king, everyone pick up that classic red Budweiser and enjoy the game Sunday Night.
Overall thoughts
Guys, we looked like a real NFL team this week against Philly in a game I thought we would get crushed. It was an incredible bounce back from a soul-crushing Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hopefully, we can show it again by competing with the Chiefs and even potentially upsetting them. Because to be the best, you have to beat the best. This game feels like a matchup where guys like Jessie Bates, Justin Simmons, and Judon can give our defense an edge. Simmons and Bates with a two-high shell could allow Judon to eat on these offensive tackles. But all in all, I’m quite concerned.
The Falcons offense is going to have their hands full with Spags' defense and blitz game led by Chris Jones.
