Aug 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the sideline against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Raheem Morris’s debut as Atlanta’s head coach didn’t pan out as hoped on Sunday, with new-look Falcons falling 18-10 at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Twenty-four hours later, Morris was ready to move on to Week 2, with the schedule only getting tougher. Atlanta heads to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles next Monday before hosting the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 22.
“Last night didn’t go our way, but we were able to go in today and reevaluate our plans, talk about our stuff, what went well and what didn’t go well,” Morris said on Monday. “It’s a ‘tell the truth moment’ for our team and for ourselves, and now, it’s on to the Philadelphia Eagles.”
Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for just 155 yards and overrode his lone touchdown pass with two costly interceptions in Sunday’s loss.
Coming off a season cut short by a torn Achilles, Cousins, 36, made his debut for the team paying him $180 million over the next four years.
“(Kirk) probably had some rust from not playing for so long,” Morris said. “But we’ve got to play better at the position and play better around him. … The assessment of Kirk yesterday was easy. It wasn’t good enough. He threw two interceptions, and we’ve got to make better decisions in the passing game all around. It just wasn’t good enough and we’re going to be clear about that.”
Switching focus to the Falcons’ first appearance on Monday Night Football since 2020, Morris and company are dealt with the task of slowing a Philadelphia offense flooded with talent.
“That whole offense, looking at those guys, you’re talking about a bunch of superstars across the board,” Morris added. “A.J. Brown, Saquon (Barkley), the guy they just traded for, Jahan Dotson. They’ve got the biggest offensive line in the history of the game. Jalen Hurts was the runner up for MVP just two years ago. We’ve got to get in the lab, and that’s what today and tomorrow are about.”
In their 34-29 win over the Green Bay Packers last Friday in Brazil, the Eagles totaled 410 yards, including 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Barkley in his team debut. Atlanta was outgained 270-226 against Pittsburgh.
Monday marks the Falcons’ first game in Philadelphia since an 18-12 loss in the 2018 opener. Atlanta, which has lost four of its last five against the Eagles, has not won at Lincoln Financial Field since 2012.
–Jack Batten, Field Level Media