After what happened against the Carolina Panthers last week, I honestly did not even want to write about the Atlanta Falcons. Losing is one thing. Getting beat 34-3 at home is something completely different. Atlanta turned the ball over five times, and the offense never found a rhythm.

I was frustrated. I was disappointed. And as a true Falcons fan, I just wanted to forget that game happened.

But Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers? This was a different football team.

Atlanta walked into Lambeau Field and won 35-14, improving to 1-2 on the season. After starting 0-2, this felt like a game the Falcons simply had to have.

And they showed up.

The Rough Start Had Me Nervous

I will admit, the beginning had me worried.

Michael Penix . threw an interception on Atlanta’s first drive, Green Bay scored first, and I immediately started thinking, “Here we go again.”

But something felt different.

Instead of falling apart, Atlanta responded.

Bijan Robinson broke loose for a huge 55 yard run and later scored to tie the game. By halftime, Atlanta had taken a 17-7 lead.

Then the Falcons kept their foot on the gas.

Bijan finished with an incredible 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Drake London added 194 receiving yards, and Penix settled down after his early mistake to throw for 256 yards and a touchdown.

Atlanta finished with 498 total yards.

That is the Atlanta Falcons offense I have been waiting to see.

Give This Defense Some Respect

I have said it before… I believe this Falcons defense is better than some of the scores have made it look.

Last week, I felt like the defense eventually got worn down because the offense kept putting them in bad situations.

Against Green Bay, they finally had some help.

The Packers finished with just 17 rushing yards, and Atlanta forced Jordan Love and the Packers to depend almost completely on the passing game.

When the offense, defense, and special teams are all doing their jobs, suddenly this team looks completely different.

My Biggest Concern Is Still Penix

I was happy to see Michael Penix Jr. back, especially knowing the road he has taken to return from another ACL injury.

But I am still nervous.

Atlanta has to protect this man.

Penix showed Thursday night why the Falcons believe in him. Once he settled down, the offense opened up in a way we had not seen during the first two games.

That also means Atlanta needs to make sure there is a strong backup plan behind him. Injuries happen and with Penix’s history, quarterback depth cannot be ignored.

Maybe This Is the Start

I am not ready to get carried away.

I’m a Falcons fan. I’ve learned my lesson haha

But going from a 34-3 embarrassment against Carolina to beating Green Bay 35-14 at Lambeau Field is one heck of a response.

Just imagine going into Week 4 at 0-3 after the way last week ended.

Instead, Atlanta is 1-2, Penix is back, Bijan looks dangerous, London exploded, and the defense continues to show that it can compete.

Tonight, I’m celebrating.

Now let’s see if they can build on it.

The post Atlanta Falcons Finally Show Up: 35-14 Win Over Packers Feels Like a Fresh Start appeared first on Varner Vibes.

That being SAIDDD……… our 20-13 Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers was not what I expected……….

I understand this was the first game of the season. Week 1 comes with mistakes, nerves, timing issues, and players trying to get comfortable. I played a little football in middle school and high school, and while I would never compare that to the NFL, I understand the feeling of that first game.

Still, something just felt off.

It Felt Like We Took a Step Back

Watching the Falcons, I couldn’t help but feel like we took a step backward from last season.

The biggest issue was obviously quarterback. Cooper Rush had to start because Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. were unavailable. Rush finished with 143 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown by T.J Watt.

Because of that situation, I’m not ready to judge what this offense can truly become. Hopefully, once Atlanta gets healthier at quarterback, we will see a completely different offense. Also on a side note…whats so funny Tagovailoa and Penix???

anyway…. we also have to protect the quarterback better. We can’t expect any quarterback to get comfortable if pressure keeps coming.

We Can’t Depend on Bijan for Everything

Bijan Robinson was easily one of the bright spots. He finished with 173 total yards and scored Atlanta’s only touchdown.

I love watching Bijan run. Give that man the football.

But Atlanta can’t build the entire offense around hoping Bijan saves us.

We need a passing attack. We need receivers involved. We need better protection. We need drives that don’t feel like we’re fighting for every single yard.

The Falcons have to be dangerous in more than one way.

Even Special Teams Looked Off

Nick Folk is an experienced kicker, which made his performance surprising. He went 2 for 4 on field goals, missing from 54 and 45 yards. This is a kicker who had missed only three field goals over the previous three seasons.

I’m definitely not giving up on him after one game.

It was just another example of how strange this game felt.

Atlanta also had nine penalties for 96 yards. You simply can’t give away that many yards and expect to beat good football teams.

I’m Frustrated, But I’m Not Sounding the Alarm

The Steelers deserve credit. They are a franchise that knows how to win football games, and their defense made Atlanta pay for mistakes.

So I’m not hitting the panic button after Week 1.

But I’m also not going to pretend I liked what I saw.

The Falcons looked sloppy. The offense lacked rhythm. There were too many mistakes, and at times I didn’t feel the urgency I wanted to see.

Maybe this is exactly what Week 1 is for: get the mistakes out, figure out what works, get healthy, and move forward.

I still have high hopes for this season.

But Atlanta has some work to do.

One loss doesn’t decide a season.

The post Falcons Week 1 Review: I’m Not Panicking, But That Was Hard to Watch appeared first on Varner Vibes.