Bijan Robinson Shines in Debut, Falcons Beat Bryce Young's Panthers
The Atlanta Falcons kicked off the new season with a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Making his first Week 1 start, Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder had an up-and-down day, finishing 15 of 18 for only 118 yards and a touchdown while being sacked four times.
Atlanta's first score of the new year came courtesy of a pass from Ridder to rookie first-round running back Bijan Robinson, who juked one defender and ran through two more on his way to the endzone.
Robinson's professional debut lived up to the hype, as he took 10 carries for 56 yards and added six receptions for 27 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.
Joining this year's No. 8 overall pick with a strong day in the backfield is second-year pro Tyler Allgeier, who had 15 attempts for 74 yards and two touchdowns along with three grabs for 19 yards.
With Robinson's emergence, there were questions about Allgeier's role, but some eight months after becoming Atlanta's rookie rushing leader, he quieted those concerns on Sunday.
Another key debut for the Falcons was that of defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who called his first regular season game and spearheaded an energetic defensive effort filled with bend-but-don't-break moments.
Nielsen's unit was led by safety Jessie Bates III and defensive tackle David Onyemata, Atlanta's two most expensive free agency signings.
Bates III made two interceptions on Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young and forced another fumble on running back Miles Sanders, while Onyemata had three hurries on Young and was largely the Falcons' best pass rusher.
On each of the three possessions that followed Bates' turnovers, Atlanta scored, a direct indication of just how impactful his presence was.
The Falcons' defense held Young to a difficult 20-of-38 performance through the air, as he finished with only 146 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while being sacked twice.
Atlanta's sacks came via Lorenzo Carter (one) and the duo of Grady Jarrett and Troy Andersen, who received half a sack while converging on Young.
In a noticeable contrast from years past, the Falcons put the game away in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Panthers 14-0 while both the offense and defense found rhythm.
The passing offense's low-productiveness limited the numbers of the receivers, but tight end Kyle Pitts flashed in his return from a torn MCL last season, catching two passes for 44 yards, including a difficult 34-yarder through a defensive pass interference penalty, and had another called back due to an offensive penalty.
It was a quiet day for Atlanta's No. 1 receiver, Drake London, who dropped his lone target.
But the story from Sunday is how the Falcons battled through a slow start and mixed overall production to finish strong and walk away with a divisional victory in Week 1, giving the team its first record above .500 since the end of the 2017 season.
Atlanta will look to continue its momentum against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
