Looking at the Gamesheet

[SaltAndPepper]

If you look at the gamesheet, I almost laugh at the fact that if we didn't have turnovers, we would've beat the daylights out of the falcons. I can't remember for the life of me remember the last time we had a game like this. And this was on Bryce's first game. If Bryce cleans that up and Sanders doesn't fumble anymore, I'm still positive that this team can have a winning record. Even if this was against the falcons...
 

• We had more first downs (20 : 13)
• We were more efficient on third down (5-14 : 2-10)
• We had more total yards (281 : 221) (Including both more rushing and passing yards
• We owned Time of Possession (35 minutes to 25)

The only places we got outdone are penalties ( 9-66 : 6-43), average gain of offensive play (3.9 : 4.6), Red Zone Effiency, and turnovers. 

Was this a sloppy game? Yes, absolutely, but there's still so much positive to build on. Literally every #1 pick had a lackluster debut, and Bryce is no exception to that. Look at Peyton Manning and Joe Burrow especially. Don't judge our rookie by the second or third game either. This entire season is about him absorbing knowledge. We have 5 years to make this work (It's really rare for a QB and Coach to win their first SB after five years if they haven't won one already). 

Does it suck to not have a first round pick? Yes, it does. But we'll still have a top 40 pick even if we're garbage. We also have free agency and trades. Scott fixed the O-Line in two years. I can give him another year to turn the team around. 

TLDR, don't overreact like the other people who have similar views posted, give this process time. If we win, we win the division and we laugh at the bears, but Bryce learning is the most important thing. 

PPS: Thank you for reading.

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[NAS]

I do wonder if we ran the ball 40 times without turnovers, we probably win that game.  

[45catfan]

2 minutes ago, NAS said:

I do wonder if we ran the ball 40 times without turnovers, we probably win that game.  

True, but I thought fans wanted to get rid of Fox/Rivera "old school" football?  I'm down with whatever wins us games, new school or old school, it doesn't matter to me.

[NAS]

Just now, 45catfan said:

True, but I thought fans wanted to get rid of Fox/Rivera "old school" football?  I'm down with whatever wins us games, new school or old school, it doesn't matter to me.

Rookie QB in his first start and you see that your defense is playing well?  I think you have to be flexible in your gameplan.

[TheCasillas]

28 minutes ago, NAS said:

I do wonder if we ran the ball 40 times without turnovers, we probably win that game.  

 

24 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

True, but I thought fans wanted to get rid of Fox/Rivera "old school" football?  I'm down with whatever wins us games, new school or old school, it doesn't matter to me.

Like the Browns did with a veteran QB?

[45catfan]

2 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

 

Like the Browns did with a veteran QB?

Like the Browns did with Nick Chubb.

[MHS831]

My only concern is the Horn injury.  Yes, we gave up 17 points off turnovers, but they torched Henderson--and a TE beat him deep.  No excuse for that.

I would not be surprised to see us bring in (or up) someone.  If you need proof of his heart, watch him when he has a chance to make a tackle--especially in a crowd. Nobody is that un-athletic. 

[TheCasillas]

1 minute ago, 45catfan said:

Like the Browns did with Nick Chubb.

Chubb didnt even have half of the carries...

[MHS831]

Pay burns, build around him.

Hats off the Zavala--not perfect, but a first game rookie vs some veteran talent.

[45catfan]

Just now, TheCasillas said:

Chubb didnt even have half of the carries...

Take out Watson's carries and yes, about half.  He was the force.  True bell cow RBs are a thing of the past.  Even solid RB 1's yield significant time to back ups for--what the NBA likes to say "load management."

[TheCasillas]

2 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Take out Watson's carries and yes, about half.  He was the force.  True bell cow RBs are a thing of the past.  Even solid RB 1's yield significant time to back ups for--what the NBA likes to say "load management."

why would I take out Watson's carries? 2 were designed runs.. and the other was a TD run.  Would we remove Bryce's runs if we ran the ball 8 more times to hit 40?

[LinvilleGorge]

We lost the game on turnovers. It's hard to win games at any level when you're -3 in the turnover column. It's REALLY hard to do it at the NFL level.

[Ricky Prickles]

Falcons fans are extremely overconfident right now but their QB looked like garbage. They will come down to reality very soon. 

[45catfan]

6 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

why would I take out Watson's carries? 2 were designed runs.. and the other was a TD run.  Would we remove Bryce's runs if we ran the ball 8 more times to hit 40?

Splitting hairs here, yes QB runs count, but effectiveness of a rushing attack generally doesn't hinge on your QB.  Chubb>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sanders/Hubbard