Atlanta Falcons News, Scores, Schedules and Coverage

Atlanta Falcons

Record: (0-1), 3rd in NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Record: (0-1), 3rd in NFC South

Falcons QB Cooper Rush: ‘Wish I played better’ in loss to Steelers

Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush said he wished he played better after two turnovers against Pittsburgh Sunday in a 20-13 season-opening loss.

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

It’s a sad start to the season for star-crossed Falcons

Falcons position grades from season-opening loss to Steelers

Falcons fall to Steelers, lose season opener for ninth time in 11 years

Check out a recap from the Falcons’ opening loss to the Steelers

Standings

Stats

NFC South

Full Standings

TEAM	W	L	PCT
1 PanthersPanthers	8	9	.471
2 BuccaneersBuccaneers	8	9	.471
3 FalconsFalcons	8	9	.471
4 SaintsSaints	6	11	.353

Team Leaders

Full Team Stats

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

Michael Penix Jr.

QB, #9

PASSING YARDS

1982

Bijan Robinson

RB, #7

RUSHING YARDS

1478

Kyle Pitts Sr.

TE, #8

RECEIVING YARDS

928

PHOTOS: Falcons preseason home opener was a lopsided defeat

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (left) and Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger greet each other after their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. The Denver Broncos won, 27-7, over the Atlanta Falcons. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch (left) and Broncos running back Jonah Coleman greet each other after their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (center) holds hands with Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (left) and Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger as they pray after their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (right) and Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles greet each other after their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons safety Sydney Brown gets a high-five from Freddie Falcon after their preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons defensive tackle Carlos Allen Jr. signs autographs for fans after the Denver Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 27-7, during their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson signs autographs for fans after the Denver Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 27-7, during their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons running back Tyler Goodson (not pictured) scores a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second half of their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski watches from the sidelines as his team takes on the Denver Broncos during their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons fans cheer after a touchdown by running back Tyler Goodson during their preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons quarterback Jack Strand gets off a pass during their preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (center) gets off a pass during their preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Broncos wide receiver Cameron Ross eludes a tackle from the Falcons during the first half of their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons wide receiver Dylan Drummond (left) and quarterback Cooper Rush walk off the field after Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron scores a touchdown after intercepting the ball during their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (left) gets off a pass during their preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (center) runs for a touchdown after intercepting the ball during their preseason game against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Broncos running back RJ Harvey (second from left) is stopped by Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus during their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Broncos running back RJ Harvey (center) pushes for yardage against the Falcons during their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons cornerback Darnay Holmes celebrates during their preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (center) scores a touchdown during the first half of their preseason game against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during their preseason game against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams leaves their preseason game against the Denver Broncos after getting injured at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs the ball during their preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski watches as his team takes on the Denver Broncos during their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Fans cheer during the Atlanta Falcons’ preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa prepares to get off a pass during their preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

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Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (left) and Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger greet each other after their preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. The Denver Broncos won, 27-7, over the Atlanta Falcons. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

More Falcons news

NFL

Take 5: Five quick takeaways from the Falcons’ matchup against the Steelers

Cooper Rush stepped in at quarterback, Bijan Robinson did what he could on offense and the Falcons' nine penalties hurt in a 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Fox Sports’ Pam Oliver still pursues success, decades after start in Georgia

The veteran sideline reporter, whose first journalism job after graduating was in Albany in 1985, reflects on her career ahead of the Falcons’ opener in Pittsburgh.

Rush to start against Steelers despite back spasms

With injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., Falcons' third-string quarterback Cooper Rush will start Sunday's season-opener despite back spasms earlier Saturday.

Falcons eager to face ‘Hall of Famer’ Aaron Rodgers in final Week 1 start

At 42, Aaron Rodgers is the oldest player in the NFL. He'll lead the Steelers against the Falcons on Sunday.

Inside Falcons’ chaotic QB room entering Week 1: ‘Welcome to the NFL’

The Falcons still have four quarterbacks on the active roster. None of them are in the same position now as they were this time a week ago.

NFL

Falcons to start QB Cooper Rush in season opener at Steelers

With Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. unavailable, the Atlanta Falcons will open the season Sunday at Pittsburgh with veteran Cooper Rush as their starting quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons vs Washington Commanders

You know the Unicorn. You don’t know Falcons’ Kyle Pitts.

Atlanta’s All-Pro tight end opens up on narratives, fatherhood and his unrelenting pursuit to be No. 1.

NFL

Falcons QB Cooper Rush prepared to start with Tagovailoa’s health in question

After Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury early in Thursday’s practice, coaches turned to Cooper Rush with a message: “You’re up.”

Atlanta Falcons Saturday Night Lights Practice

NFL

Tua Tagovailoa hurt in practice, Cooper Rush leads Falcons’ offense Thursday

Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury during an individual throwing portion early in Thursday’s practice, and backup Cooper Rush took first-team reps.

Dirty Birds Dispatch: Rookies, Rodgers and redemption

Rookies, Rodgers and redemption for Tagovailoa lead Week 1 storylines.