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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.

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