1. I hate to bring it up, but how do the Falcons get over the collapse and devastating loss in Super Bowl LI? Is playing the Bears in the season opener the cure for their Super Bowl hangover?
It sounds easy, but just forget about it. It’s in the past and if they dwell on it, it will eat them up. Look at the Carolina Panthers. They were embarrassed by the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 and opened the season against them the following year. A close loss ensued and they fell apart. It was obvious they put all their effort into “avenging the loss” and it destroyed them. Even their coach was still talking (or whining) about the Broncos after the game.
The Falcons are saying the right stuff, but they have to actively let it go. The game against Chicago will be a good starting point to make a fresh start, but the test comes when they play New England again on Oct 22. If they treat that like Carolina did with Denver — look out for a letdown.
2. What does the Falcons defense have in store for Mike Glennon and the Bears offense? Does Jordan Howard find any running lanes?
I may be the one guy not sure about their ability against the run. They’re putting a ton of faith in nose tackle Dontari Poe, but he’s not the same guy he was. Poe was a huge run stuffer in a 3-4 for the Chiefs and Atlanta had him slim down. If they wanted a smaller tackle they should have got one rather than signing a guy only to change him. So yes, I think Howard finds lanes.
Glennon, however, may be in trouble. Jack Crawford and Takkarist McKinley looked dangerous at rushing the passer — and that’s not even mentioning 2016 NFL sack leader Vic Beasley.