BALL IS BACK, BABY.!
Oh yes, the long summer has (unofficially) officially come to an end. Football is in the air, and your Atlanta Falcons open the season in Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a cross-conference bout against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite both sides denying it, there's a bit of bad blood here with former Falcons HC Arthur Smith coming to town as Pittsburgh's new play-caller. We also get the debut of Kirk Cousins sporting the red and black and Raheem Morris's formal debut as head coach. There's a lot to be excited about on Sunday, including plenty of intriguing matchups taking place between the chalk.
1) Drake London vs. Joey Porter Jr.
Drake London's been a popular pick as a breakout player by analysts this preseason. It's not hard to see why. The former 8th overall pick has been held back by scheme and quarterback play. Kirk Cousins and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson appear to be an easy remedy for those issues. The immediate challenge for London will be lining up across from former Nittany Lion Joey Porter Jr. on Sunday. Porter's coming off an excellent rookie season, allowing only one touchdown pass, and just 0.76 yards per coverage snap. London has excelled in contested catch situations over his young career, but Porter presents size that can counter that. London stands at 6'4" 213lbs, while Porter measures at 6'2" 193lbs. This is very much a big-on-big matchup. Early rumors out of Steelers' camp indicate that Porter could shadow the opposing team's top options, meaning we'll get plenty of this matchup even if Drake gets extended reps in the slot. The key to this matchup will be Drake using his short area quickness to create separation from Porter and be a bully after the catch. This will be a nice early test for the Falcons, and if London is the player most believe he can be, he should win.
2) Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata vs. Zach Frazier
Any time an opponent is starting a rookie, it's a matchup you look to exploit. Especially when that rookie is tasked with that matchup of two battle-tested veterans Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata. Steeler's center Zach Frazier was thrust into the starting lineup after incumbent Nate Herbig tore his rotator cuff during the preseason. Frazier, a second-round pick out of West Virginia, displayed great strength and leverage during his college career. He'll have his hands full against Atlanta's interior duo. In his first year as a Falcon, Onyemata lived up to his 3-year, $35 million deal. While he didn't stuff the stat sheet, the interior lineman was a constant plus. He was able to pressure the pocket and remain stout against the run. In the three games he missed the Falcons run defense took a major dip. Grady Jarrett needs no introduction. He's been the face of Atlanta's defense for nearly a decade. Jarrett suffered a torn ACL in late October, but if he rounds back into form he should dominate the Steeler's young center when given the opportunity. Onyemata's strength and Grady's quickness will be key to Atlanta dominating the trenches on Sunday. This is a must-win matchup.
3) Kaleb McGary vs. T.J. Watt
No Falcon draws a more difficult matchup on Sunday than RT Kaleb McGary. He has the daunting task of lining up across from former NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt. 902 of Watt's defensive snaps last year came on the left side of the defense, leaving little doubt that Watt and McGary will battle early and often. McGary has struggled in pass protection at times in his career, and few are better at getting to the quarterback than Watt, as evidenced by his stellar career and 20 sacks last season. Raheem Morris would be wise to give McGary as much help as he can provide. Backup Tight End Charlie Woerner could be useful in this facet, as could Tyler Allgeier helping to chip Watt and slow him down. Regardless, there will be reps during the game where Kaleb finds himself left on an island. It's unrealistic to expect him to win the majority of reps in this matchup. Watt's a certified game wrecker who can impact the game on any given snap. McGary just can't become a turnstile, or it'll be a long day for Cousins and the offense as a whole.
4. Younghoe Koo vs. Preseason Jitters
We've all come to adore Younghoe Koo. The Falcon's kicker has been as reliable as one could hope for during his tenure in Atlanta. In fact, at one point Koo held the highest active field goal percentage in the league at a sensational 90% conversion rate! For as excellent as Koo has been, there have been some struggles (by his standards) of late. He finished last season 8 for his last 12 field goals and went a paltry 2-5 during his latest live game action in the preseason. I'm not saying Koo has the yips. I expect him to remain the consistent player Atlanta has come to know and love. I do however think that these struggles are something worth noting. Losing the advantage of Koo being an automatic three points anytime he's called on would be a serious gut punch to the team.
5) Dirty Bird Nation vs. The Terrible Towels
Historically, Steelers fans have traveled well. The fanbase is known for invading opposing stadiums and bringing their stinky yellow rags along for the trip. I can remember last season when the Steelers traveled to Atlanta, it looked like a home game for the Steel City. It sounded like one too. We can't be having that. Not this year. The Falcons NEED homefield advantage. The Benz NEEDS to be loud. Fields, Russ, whoever is under center for Pittsburgh has to feel the presence of the fans. For the first time in years, there's legitimate hype in Atlanta. Season tickets sold out before July had ended! I expect Mercedes Benz Stadium to be rocking Sunday afternoon, and to hear "Rise Up!" chants through my television screen. The fans becoming a 12th man for the Falcons will go a long way towards turning those Terrible Towels into rags that Steelers fans will wipe their tears away with as they woefully exit the stadium.
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