Atlanta Falcons: 3 Best Week 1 Performances vs. Eagles

Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: Wide Receiver Julio Jones

I mean, duh. Before I even say anything else, let me present you a stat. Of the Falcons’ 299 total offensive yards Thursday, wide receiver Julio Jones accounted for 180 of them.

That’s a whopping 60 percent of their total yards in the entire game.

Even crazier yet, Jones should’ve had another 52 yards if not for a missed call by the officials. Even so, 169 yards is an absolute monster performance on opening night, attacking the Eagles’ secondary with ease. He looked as graceful as ever, gliding down the field while hauling in 10 catches for the 169 yards and picking up another 11 on the ground.

Jones was the offense for the Falcons in Week 1. But unfortunately for them, their own reliance on No. 11 is what did them in. After two straight catches by Jones to bring them to the Eagles’ 13 yard line, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz started double teaming him.

Steve Sarkisian, Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, kept drawing up plays for Jones in the red zone, Matt Ryan never even bothering to think about going anywhere else before the clock finally ran out.

Look for Jones to stay hot next week, as the Falcons take on the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has a fairly weak cornerback duo, James Bradbury ranked as the 98th best cornerback last season, according to Pro Football Focus. The other side of the field is manned by Donte Jackson, a rookie from LSU. 

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