The Atlanta Falcons' Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers went pretty much as expected. While the defense came to play, Atlanta's offense was one-dimensional and sloppy in Sunday's 20-13 road loss.
Cooper Rush threw two bad interceptions, including a pick-six that was returned by Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt. The Falcons also missed two field goals and committed nine penalties for a total of 96 yards.
Running back Bijan Robinson was outstanding, leading the team in both rushing (83 yards) and receiving (90 yards) for a total of 173 all-purpose yards on Sunday. Robinson just didn't get much help. Rush passed for only 143 yards, which made it tough for Drake London and Kyle Pitts to impact the game.
On the bright side, edge rusher Za'Darius
Smith finished with two sacks in his Falcons debut. Plus, Jeff Ulbrich's defense appeared to be pick up right where it left off in 2025.
Somehow, the Falcons managed to stay competitive all the way through the fourth quarter. However, a close loss is still a loss, and it's not going to get any easier for this team over the next few weeks.
NFL world reacts to Falcons' 20-13 loss to Steelers
Here's how fans on social media responded to the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers in NFL Week 1.
For the most part, this game went as expected. One fact remains: with AVERAGE QB play, this is a solid team.
β Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) September 13, 2026
Whatβs the point in having these weapons if you canβt get the ball to them π€¦πΎββοΈπ€π€―
β Ovie Mughelli (@oviemughelli34) September 13, 2026
The only positive Iβll take from todayβs game was the defense. This was a winnable game, yet the QB literally gave it away
β A M B E Z Y (@bezy_bby) September 13, 2026
https://t.co/ZyjBBamC4f pic.twitter.com/2EJBwmhqyA
β Carrie (@Carrie_ATL) September 13, 2026
Falcons K Nick Folk going 0/2 on Cooper Rush day is particularly brutal
β Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) September 13, 2026
The play of the following really cost the team this game:
β Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) September 13, 2026
1) Cooper Rush
2) Nick Folk(this surprised me, but I donβt expect this to be a thing this season)
3) AJ Terrell (burnt chicken all game ππ)
AVERAGE QB play please and thank you. If Iβm being honest, when Rush was namedβ¦
Steelers defensive player of the game. Just one hell of a performance. pic.twitter.com/Zqdzqkkn0U
β Outta Your Falcon Mind π΅βπ«π (@OuttaYourFnMind) September 13, 2026
From ESPN Research: Cooper Rush's longest completion in terms of air yards today is 5 yards. On throws more than 5 air yards, Rush is 0-for-5 with an interception. #Falcons
β Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) September 13, 2026
Some positive takeaways:
β Falcons Gazette (@FalconsGazette) September 13, 2026
-Penix will be back next week
-Bijan may end up being one of the best Falcons to wear the jersey
-Defense looked tough
The seasons not over yet #DIRTYBIRDS https://t.co/T4TbT4A6Ov
Kevin Stefanski on Cooper Rush's performance today: "He battled like I knew he would. Proud of him for how he fought through the end. Obviously, we don't want to turn the ball over and those kind of things, but we've got to look at ways that we can help."
β Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) September 13, 2026
Idk how you donβt bench Rush at this point.
β πΊππππ πͺππππππ ππ¬πͺπΊπ¦π±π»πΊπΈ (@CarasikS) September 13, 2026
While the misses are troubling, we won't hit the panic button on Folk until we see him miss at the Benz. Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium) is a notoriously difficult place to kick.
β TreβShon (@tre3shon) September 13, 2026
"I want that one back," Cooper Rush on the first interception when he overshot Jahan Dotson.
β Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) September 13, 2026
Wide right for Folk. Back to field goal kick auditions?
β D. Orlando Ledbetter (@BowTieSportsGuy) September 13, 2026
There's so many playmakers on this offense and yet, completely underutilized.
β Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) September 13, 2026
Drake London - 4 targets
Kyle Pitts - 1 target
Jahan Dotson - 3 targets
Bijan Robinson was the leading receiver with 90 yards. The second? Drake London with 29.
Bijan had 173 of the Falcons 238.
Kevin Stefanski said Falcons didn't consider playing Jack Strand today.
β Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) September 13, 2026
"Pleased with Jack's development," he said, but tough spot for a rookie.
Put Jack Strand in please ππ½ love you cooper. We gotta see what young fella can do
β Jabari Smith Jr (@jabarismithjr) September 13, 2026
Za'Darius Smith closes out the first half with a sack π₯
β NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2026
ATLvsPIT on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SvK0icxKM1
One silver lining: The NFC South goes winless in Week 1
β The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) September 13, 2026
The Falcons will play their 2026 home opener next Sunday against the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. ET. However, the team's starting quarterback for Week 2 is anybody's guess at this point.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL world reacts to Falcons' 20-13 loss to Steelers in Week 1
