Atlanta Falcons: 5 Role Players Who Must Play Huge in Week 1

Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons kick off their season Sunday and will need certain reserves to step up if they're going to win.
Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

With players like Matt Ryan, Roddy White and many more, the Atlanta Falcons have a starting group on both sides of the ball that many teams would envy.

As we have seen in the past, however, sometimes it's not about how good your starters are. Instead, it's about how good their replacements are.

No NFL team can go an entire game having only its starters play. There has to be backups that come through in key situations.

For the Falcons, those backups will be important in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here's a look at five reserve players who must play big if the Falcons are going to win in Week 1.

Jacquizz Rodgers

Jacquizz Rodgers will be an important factor for the Falcons on long third downs and the goal line.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Falcons struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone last year as they found the end zone 51.67 percent of the time inside the red zone.

For the team to make that next step, more touchdowns are going to have to come from inside the 20-yard line.

Step in Jacquizz Rodgers, who will be in his second season with the Falcons. While Michael Turner can carry the load for most of the game, the Falcons need someone other than Jason Snelling to get some touches.

Nothing against Snelling, but he runs the same way Turner does, although he does catch the ball a little bit better out of the backfield.

Rodgers gives the Falcons a small guy in the backfield that opposing defenses won't be able to see exactly where he's going. He'll be able to slip through the middle and get out in space.

The second-year running back will see more chances in the red zone, helping the Falcons score more touchdowns.

Kroy Biermann

Kroy Biermann is the backup defensive end and a key special teams player for the Falcons.
Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Kroy Biermann has been a key defensive player for the Falcons over the last few years.

With John Abraham and Ray Edwards the main pass rushers for the Falcons, Biermann will still get his opportunities to make plays.

Where Biermann will make the biggest difference will be in the Falcons' rush defense as he has the ability to get to the ball and knock it loose.

With the Chiefs expected to dish out a heavy dose of Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis, Biermann will get his chances.

Mike Peterson

Mike Peterson is entering his first year in a reserve role with the Falcons.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Although Mike Peterson is 36, he can still bring it at the linebacker position.

Peterson not only has the experience, but is going to help get the best out of the young starters at linebacker. As the defense sits on the sideline after being on the field, Peterson will be able to break down certain aspects in a way that only veteran linebackers can.

While he's disappointed he doesn't have a starting spot, the role of mentor is something he won't take lightly. How he helps coach up the young linebackers could pay dividends this year and for years to come for the Falcons.

My guess is that he'll be brought in during third-down situations because he better understands what opposing teams are going to try to do.

Michael Palmer

Michael Palmer has been learning how to be an NFL tight end from the best tight end ever to play the game.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Michael Palmer will be a staple on this list for every game this year.

With Tony Gonzalez expected to retire after this season, Palmer is going to be given a few more opportunities to show what he can do.

He's learned from the best tight end to ever play the game, and for the sake of their future, the Falcons will give him more opportunities this year.

Palmer is going to be more involved in the offense, continuing to learn the ins and outs of the position from Gonzalez.

We'll see how well he starts off, when the team visits Gonzalez's only other NFL team.

Peter Konz

When it comes to most positions on the offensive line, rookie Peter Konz might be the first reserve called on to fill in.
Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

When the Falcons drafted Peter Konz out of Wisconsin in the second round, I thought it was an absolute steal.

Now, Konz is going to have to prove me right.

Konz is currently listed as the backup right guard, but if an injury happens somewhere else on the line besides center, he'll find himself at one of the guard positions or right tackle.

He will eventually be a starter for the Falcons and this week will be his chance to show he belongs. The coaches will give him his opportunities; he just has to perform well and help keep the running game going.