The Falcons needed some late heroics from tight end Austin Hooper and defensive end Brooks Reed to defeat the Bears 23-17 on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Here are five things to know about the Falcons on Monday:
1. The roof. The Falcons plan to open the retractable roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Sunday night's home opener against the Packers if weather conditions are favorable.
It would be the first time an event is held in the new $1.5 billion stadium with the roof open – and the first open-air Falcons game in Atlanta since Dec. 15, 1991, the team’s final game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
The Falcons played their home games indoors at the Georgia Dome from 1992 through last season.
The first five events in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium – two Falcons exhibition games, two college football games and one soccer match – have been played with the retractable roof closed as work continues to fully automate the complex, eight-panel roof.
2. Passing fancy. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, the NFL's reigning MVP, completed 21 of 30 passes for 321 yards and one touchdown against Chicago. He finished with a passer rating of 116. Ryan extended his streak to 56 games with at least 200 yards passing, which is an NFL record.
3. Stiff-arm Cowboy. Falcons tight end Austin Hooper recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of his career. He caught two passes for 128 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown, the longest reception of his career. It also stands as the longest touchdown catch by a tight end in a season opener in NFL history.
4. 500-catch club. Wide receiver Julio Jones, on his third reception of the game, recorded his 500th career reception. Jones tied Anquan Boldin for the fastest to 500 career receptions – 80 games. Jones finished with four receptions for 66 yards.
5. Reed saves the day. Brooks Reed matched his sack total for the past two seasons with the Falcons with two against the Bears. He came up with a game-clinching sack with three seconds left.
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