Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

The Bow Tie Chronicles: Falcons suffer worst season-opening loss since 1987

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan lays on the turf taking a hard sack by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (left) and defensive end Brandon Graham late in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com)

Credit: Curtis Compton / curtis.compton@ajc.com

Credit: Curtis Compton / curtis.compton@ajc.com

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan lays on the turf taking a hard sack by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (left) and defensive end Brandon Graham late in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com)
By
Sept 13, 2021

In the 281th episode of the Bow Tie Chronicles podcast, host D. Orlando Ledbetter breakdowns how the Falcons were routed 32-6 by the Philadelphia Eagles to open the 2021 season under new coach Arthur Smith. It was the franchise’s worst season-opening loss since Marion Campbell’s squad was beaten 48-10 by Tampa Bay on Sept. 13, 1987.

ExploreArthur Smith: ‘I did a really poor job getting us ready to go’

The coach said he didn’t have the team ready to play after he elected not to play most of the key players in the exhibition season. The new attacking defense could muster just one sack, one quarterback hit and three pass breakups. There’s clearly more work to do before facing the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4:05 p.m. Sunday in Florida.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass during warm-ups before the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Dirty Bird Dispatch: Looking for electricity on offense

Weekend Predictions: Wins for Falcons, Georgia Tech

Weekend Predictions is off to a hot start. But will wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Tech and Georgia State keep this streak alive?

Penix TDs, Panthers points and FGs: 3 intriguing Falcons prop bets

With the Atlanta Falcons meeting the Carolina Panthers, let’s take a look at what Vegas has to say — by picking “easy,” “interesting” and “out there” prop bets to discuss.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass during warm-ups before the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Dirty Bird Dispatch: Looking for electricity on offense

Weekend Predictions: Wins for Falcons, Georgia Tech

Penix TDs, Panthers points and FGs: 3 intriguing Falcons prop bets

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Police abandoned area where 8-year-old was shot, detective testifies

The testimony came as trial began for Julian Conley, the man accused of fatally shooting the child near the burned-down Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed weeks earlier.

Emory giving free tuition to students from families making under $200,000

Starting next academic year, Emory University will be tuition-free for undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000, a move that could help hundreds of students.

Weekend Predictions: Wins for Falcons, Georgia Tech

Weekend Predictions is off to a hot start. But will wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Tech and Georgia State keep this streak alive?