Falcons-Steelers: Atlanta Chokes in Week 1 Versus Pittsburgh; Should We Panic?

As a Falcons fan, it pains me to write articles so critical of my team. If you watched the Falcons game, you probably already know where I'm going with this article.

I start in the fourth quarter with about five minutes to go. The Falcons get the ball with the score tied. Matt Ryan makes a bad read and throws the interception to Troy Polamalu.

This leads to my first question:

Is Matt Ryan going to take the next step?

I've always been a fan of Matt Ryan. His rookie year was amazing, including a great comeback against the Bears. Last season he seemed to regress. He had double-digit interceptions and missed two games due to injuries. 

Making a bad read and throwing an interception in a late game situation is not acceptable for a third-year quarterback, especially when your nickname is "Matty Ice." However, the previously mentioned comeback versus the Chicago Bears proves this guy can lead a game-winning drive.

He did show positive signs in this game as well, like running the no-huddle offense and calling plays on his own. Only elite quarterbacks are trusted to do that.

Panic Level: Low 

The Falcons then would dodge a gigantic bullet. The Steelers milked the clock after Polamalu's pick, running the ball time after time. This set up a 23-yard field goal attempt by Jeff Reed, who had kicked a 53-yarder earlier in the game. Reed missed the field goal, leaving 36 seconds in the game. Rather than trying to score, the Falcons ran out the clock.

Question No. 2:

Is the Falcons coaching staff too conservative?

I can understand why people would say this. Mike Smith is a defensive-minded head coach, and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is, well...hated by all Falcons fans. Defensive-minded head coaches always seem to be more conservative. 

I would rather be safe than sorry, I guess. This particular call didn't make sense for numerous reasons: You're playing against a very good Steelers defense, and if you lose the overtime coin toss, you could very well be handing the game away. I usually agree with the play calling, so this isn't a high panic level.

Panic Level: Medium

Now to overtime. The Falcons win the toss, and I start to think we're out of the woods...wrong! We start off with a holding penalty; this pins us back at the 10-yard line. We then pick up a first down at our own 21-yard line. On 3rd-and-7, we pick up the first down, only for it to get called back by another holding penalty.

Will the Falcons' youth come back to bite them?

It very well could, but it shouldn't. This offense has been together for three years now with the exception of Tony Gonzalez. We should know not to make stupid mistakes like these, yet I see no reason to think we will stop.

Panic Level: High

The game finished with a bad punt and a 50-yard touchdown run, and the Steelers won. Overall we blew too many chances to win and made too many dumb mistakes. This makes me concerned, but are you?