Here are the grades for the Falcons from their 34-23 victory over the Packers in the first regular-season game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium before a festive soldout crowd of 70,826 on Sunday.
Run offense: The run game wasn't spectacular, but it was steady throughout to keep the offense diversified. Devonta Freeman scored one-yard and two-yard touchdowns to help power the offense in the first half. Tevin Coleman busted loose for a 35-yard gain in the second quarter. He slipped out to the right side and used his speed in the open field before being tackled by Green Bay's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Ty Sambrailo filled in nicely for Ryan Schraeder, who left the game with a concussion. Freeman rushed 20 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Coleman finished with 42 yards rushing on five carries. Grade: B
Pass offense: Matt Ryan got Julio Jones involved early as the two connected on the first pass out to the left flat. Jones turned the play into a 19-yard gain. He later had a 34-yard gain on a pass to keep the first drive moving. With Jones involved, Mohamed Sanu was blended into the scheme. Coleman added a three-yard touchdown catch. Jones finished with five catches for 108 yards, his 36th 100-yard game of his career. Sanu added five catches for 85 yards. Ryan completed 19 of 28 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown. Grade: A
Run defense: The Falcons cut down on their missed tackles and held Packers running back Ty Montgomery in check before they fell behind and had to scrap the run game. Montgomery, the converted wide receiver, had six carries for 14 yards at the half. Defensive tackle Courtney Upshaw left the game with an ankle injury and did not return. Grade: A
Pass defense: All-Pro defensive end Vic Beasley came up with a bone rattling sack of quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the third quarter that resulted in a touchdown. Cornerback Desmond Trufant scooped up the fumble and returned it 15 yards to make it 31-7 early in the third quarter. Trufant also had a big interception late in the second quarterback that the Falcons converted into a touchdown to make it 24-7 at the half. Takkarist McKinley had a big quarterback hit. Adrian Clayborn and De'Vondre Campbell also had a sack each. It must be noted that the Packers were playing without their starting tackles David Bakhtiari (left) and Bryan Bulaga (right) and starting guard Jahri Evans (groin injury) didn't finish the game. Beasley left the game with a hamstring injury and did not return. The defense played soft after getting the big 34-10 lead and Green Bay added two touchdowns, one on a 33-yard touhdown pass to Devante Adams, who slipped behind cornerback Robert Alford. Grade C
Special teams: Bryant made all of his extra points and field goals of 51 and 53 yards. His 51-yarder was his 200th with the Falcons. The punt return unit had two holding penalties on one play by Deji Olatoye and Kemal Ishmael in the second quarter. Andre Roberts didn't break any big returns. Grade: B
Coaching: The Falcons rushed four and used middle linebacker Deion Jones to spy on Rodgers on third downs. The Falcons wanted to keep Rodgers in the pocket and not let him slide out to his right and make throws down the field. Coordinator Steve Sarkisian came out on fire as the offense scored on five of its first seven possessions. It was wise to get Julio Jones involved early and that opened up things for the rest of the offense. Sarkisian got creative late and went to the wildcat with Sanu at quarterback. The Falcons picked up a first down on a handoff to Freeman to keep the clock moving. Grade B
Next up: The Falcons will face former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions at 1 p.m. Sunday at Ford Field. The Lions play the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
