Week 1: Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers | Atlanta Falcons Pregame Show

Here's the John Robinson. Touchdown Atlanta. Intercepted AJ Terrell. Touchdown Atlanta. Drake London. Terrell's going to pick it. How about that? 40 midfield. It's a foot race. Going to sail it to the end zone. Pitts is there. IT'S AN ATLANTA TOUCHDOWN. >> WOW. STRAT IT OUT. JESSE. TOUCHDOWN ATLANTA. It's intercepted. Xavier Watts has GOT ANOTHER ONE. DRIVE HOME SAFELY. >> We welcome you to the 2026 NFL season. It's officially underway and we've got a lot coming for you guys cuz look, we got a new setup for you guys. We're going out on Thursdays now for the pregame show. I'm Taylor Vizmore. This is Derek Rackley. And we got a new co-host with us this year joining us, Will McFadden. Thank you so much for being here. It's going to be a fun season with you guys. >> Welcome, Will. >> Thanks, Rack. I'm I'm really excited >> to the craziness. >> It is crazy. And look what what would week one be if it wasn't crazy, right? Atlanta traveling to the Steelers. It's going to be their first time on the road in a home opener in a while, right? And going into week one, there was a developing story happening in Flowery Branch. Tuangoa was named the starter earlier in the week, but on Thursday, he was limited in practice with an oblique and Cooper Rush said after practice that he took all of the starting reps with the ones today on the offense. Guys, obviously at this current juncture, Tu Chungaboa is still the starter, but there is a chance that on Sunday, Cooper Rush could start for him if he is not available. Let's start with Cooper Rush really fast. Well, I'll start with you. You're new here, so we're going to go to you first here. What do we know about Cooper Rush and what can we expect from him if we see him on Sunday? >> Yeah. Well, he joined the Falcons on day one of training camp. What a what a rush job on his part, right? And and he got up to speed very quickly. He he took those reps. But in the preseason, I think we saw really what he is is a steady veteran hand who has started 10 games over the last two seasons, completed north of 60% of his passes in those games, over 2,000 yards, 12 touchdowns. So, he is a trusted player who really can just operate within the confines of this offense. And I liked what I saw from him in the preseason. If he hadn't been kind of overshadowed, I think, by the Jack Strand of it all, we would be talking about Cooper Rush a little bit more. And who knows, maybe we will be. >> This is how the NFL works. Sometimes you have to be able to adjust. It's just more amplified when you have to adjust at the quarterback position, right? But let's think about this. Think about what Ian Cunningham and Matt Ryan did. They signed Cooper Rush right at the start of training camp as a security blanket, if you will, if something like this happened. Now, not necessarily thinking it was going to happen in week one while you're getting prepared for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but this is the life of the NFL. Nobody is going to dwell on it. We don't know what the status of Tua is going to be. As we said as we tape today, he's still planning to start this weekend. But if not, the coaching staff, the personnel department, they are making the appropriate adjustments by giving Cooper Rush the number one reps because he's got to have time to get with the offensive line, to get timing, to get chemistry with the wide receivers, running backs, you name it. You got to be able to adjust on the fly. That's just life. Yeah, guys, I was able to sit down with general manager Ian Cunningham after the 53man roster was um broken down to that 53 and I asked him why did you go with four quarterbacks that we are one of four teams in this league that went with four quarterback. What was your thinking on that? He said it gives us an insurance policy like you mentioned rack maybe did not expect to be in a situation in week one but we are and now you have two other guys that you can look to and at this current juncture if Tua does not start it will be Cooper Rush. Um Kevin Safansky, the head coach, mentioned on Monday to media that Tua would get the start. Cooper would be the backup and Michael Pennik Jr. would be inactive. But I mean, it's a new time in the Falcons era, right? Kevin Stfansky is the new head coach for this team. Tommy Reese is the offensive coordinator. And then you have Jeff Olrich returning for this Falcons defense. What kind of excites you guys going into the season with what you know about Kevin Stfansky and what he brings to a team? >> Yeah, I mean there's it's obviously time to be excited, optimistic. You haven't played a game yet, but you are looking forward to the prospects of growth, of turning things around, getting to the postseason, winning the division, as Ian Cunningham has talked many a times this offseason about raising the floor of this roster, bringing the bottom third, if you will, to a more competitive level. And I think we've seen that through many of different personnel moves throughout the course of this off seasonason leading all the way into training camp to now, right? We saw preseason. We saw glimpses of our starters, Will, during the preseason games, but now it's they're on the field every single snap. So, you get all the guys that were ressigned this off seasonason, the Berserons, the Londons, the Robinsons of the world, the Pitts of the world. Now, we're going to get a chance to see them every single snap when they're on the field under a new regime. >> Yeah, I love that you brought up those guys because they're obviously going to be a huge part of what the Falcons are are trying to do this season. And to me, that speaks to this new regime coming in. Kevin Spansky, Ian Cunningham, Matt Ryan, and having a plan about how they want to approach not just this year, but kind of the foreseeable future and locking some of those key pieces into place. And really, when you ask any of the players throughout training camp, throughout the preseason, it's attention to detail. That's what this coaching staff has brought. And I think we heard it from their introductory press conference. They're looking to build an identity. They have followed through on kind of that mindset of building through the trenches. You look at a lot of the defensive linemen they brought in. That continuity is there with Jeff Olrich, but there's some new faces and I'm really excited to see how the fingerprints of of Kevin Stfansky marry with some of the really cool players that Atlanta has kind of homegrown over the last five years. >> Yeah, I think something that was interesting about what Kevin Stfansky said during media this week is that for me, it's not a marathon. As many people say in the NFL, this is all a marathon for us. It's 17 different sprints for Kevin Stfansky. He said, "Sometimes I don't even know who we're playing the next week cuz I'm so focused on this week and what's happening with the team now." And then obviously they were asked about the quarterbacks and how do you game plan with the quarterbacks? How do you make sure that they are playing to the keys that they know how to play to, but you're also using the Bjon Robinsons and the Kyle Pitts of the world to their highest level that they can be at. And he said, "That's the quart that's a conversation that I have with the quarterbacks. Every every Monday I go in with the quarterbacks. We work through a new plan. We talk to them about what we want to do and we see what they're going to be able to do come Sunday or come Thursday whenever they are able to play. And I thought that was a really interesting look into how Kevin Stfansky and this coaching staff looks at building a game and building a game plan. Obviously, you're going into Acer Stadium to take on the Steelers. It's going to be a long four quarters. That is a hard place to play. It's a hard team to go against. But when you have a clear vision as a leader of what you want to do, I mean, the sky's is the limit. It feels like >> here, I'll say this, and this kind of summarizes it. You You can have all the talent that you want on the roster, but it's the coach's jobs to constantly be able to how can I utilize the talents of whoever it is that we have to work with. And I throw that out because we don't know what's going to happen at the quarterback position, but if there is a change come Sunday, the job of the coaching staff is to utilize the strengths of this roster. How do you adapt from Tua being the quarterback to potentially Cooper Rush? But remember, that's just one position. There's still 10 other guys on the offense and some really talented players will that you've got to find a way to get them involved and let them be the focal point, not so much just the quarterback. >> All right, let's go ahead and talk about the Steelers because that's who they're going up against. We got to know who we're going up against every single week. This is presented by Microsoft Co-Pilot. We went back, we looked at the stats, looked at the players, and what we should know about this team. And they have a new regime as well. And Mike McCarthy, the longtime head coach, is on his third head coaching stint, this time with his hometown team in the uh Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, listen guys, both of these rosters, the Falcons and the Steelers, two of the oldest and most experienced rosters in the NFL, when you look at what they're going up against in the Steelers, what are some main things that we should know about them, Rack? >> Yeah, I think when you look at similar to Atlanta, you got a new staff in Pittsburgh, right? You mentioned Mike McCarthyy's got two new coordinators. Brian Angelico is coming over the offensive coordinator. You got Patrick Graham as a defensive coordinator. So yes, if you're a coaching staff for the Falcons, you're looking at, okay, what did those guys do in the past? If we can take anything away, Angelico was a tight end's coach. So you can't necessarily look at, okay, this is his flavor as a play caller. Hasn't been a play caller before. You look at places that he has been and how have they used the talent that he was there, right? He was a tight end's coach. What do you think he's going to try to to bring out on the offense? Maybe he's going to emphasize tight ends a little bit more. Right? So then if you are on the defensive side of the ball, your Jeffre will is okay, this is where I think he's going to attack me and how do we combat that from a personnel perspective, from a scheme perspective, but then once you get onto the field, you don't really know and talking about adjusting earlier, that's when they may have to adjust with how they figure out how they're going to attack them. >> Yeah, adapting is huge part of of any week one uh game. And that was something we talked to Jeff Hullrich about earlier today was that ability to kind of transition in and out of of looks depending on what your opponent is going to give you. And that's something where I I think he has grown immensely over the last few years as a coach. But really there's so much familiarity on Pittsburgh's uh kind of personnel because this is a playoff team from last year. They won the AFC North. And so it is really just about like how do you similar to Atlanta take the talent that you know you know Aaron Rogers right we know DK Metaf we know Rico Dattle what is it going to look like with Mike McCarthy you know and his influence and then you kind of flip over to the other side of the ball like I think what Patrick Graham is going to do as defense coordinator is going to be really fascinating. Tommy Reese talking today said that he has a ton of respect for Patrick Graham and and what they're going to do. So, there's going to be a cat-and- mouse game, but adjustments and kind of seeing what they're going to do and having a counter punch ready, I think, is going to be a huge part of this matchup. >> You bring up Aaron Rogers. I'm so glad you did. Entering this 22nd year in the NFL. 22nd year. There has been a lot of discussions this week about guys playing into their 40s and he's done that. And he says, "I take a lot of care of my body throughout the offseason." He's coming back for the year 22nd year. And what I found interesting, you guys, is after last year, he said, "I really did think I was done. And I thought that was my last year. I was hanging up the cleats and then McCarthy got the job and he called me. These guys have worked together for 13 seasons. They have a Super Bowl under their belt. And together as a starter, Aaron Rogers, 100 wins and 57 losses with one tie in there. He threw for over 42,000 yards with Mike McCarthy as his head coach. My biggest question though, you guys, is the magic still there? >> I think it can be. I think the magic just looks different, Taylor, because Aaron Rodgers is not going to be able to do the things that he did 10 years ago. I mean, that's just unfortunately that's how things go. But this is still really sharp. >> And that's one of the things that I think when you look at Aaron Rogers and especially Jeff Alberg defensively, I'm sure he knows that there's not too many things that you can try to camouflage to fool Aaron Rogers because he's seen it. I mean, you guys have seen the clips before when he comes to the line of scrimmage and he's just like, "He's not coming. don't worry about like he's so far ahead because he's seen everything, right? So, you're going to get the mental side. You're still going to get the playmaking ability, but you remember he's got a guy in DK Metaf who is can be a matchup nightmare, right? So, I'm sure he's excited about being able to play next to him in a very similar system. I'm sure the terminology, Will, is all very similar because of all the time together with M Mike McCarthy. So, yeah, he's excited because maybe it's a little bit of new newfound youth, if you will, because he's going back to the Green Bay days, but still his job is to go out there and lead the offense and still make some gamechanging plays with this personnel group. >> Absolutely. I mean, you you mentioned the receivers, like there's and I heard you guys talking about it on Falcons Audible earlier this week, but like the size of those receivers is going to be fascinating, but the chemistry part between Aaron Rogers and the guys around him. Historically, he has been somebody where you have to earn his trust and and he wants you to be in a certain spot at a certain time and and kind of deliver on your part of it. So, how is all of that going to work? because there's a ton of familiarity and confidence with him and and his coach, but the teammates around him and and some of these new pieces like a Michael Pitman is is going to be really interesting to see for me. >> Taylor, one thing I'll throw out real quick is you talked about the trust with Aaron Rodgers. There are certain quarterbacks that I have seen or been around that demand a lot from the players around them. But let's think about this for a second. You've got Aaron Rogers who is that type of quarterback. He demands a lot when he is out there running it. So, we're a first time offensive coordinator. Yeah. So, how does that go? Like, how is their off how has their communication been in the off season? And once the plays start coming in, is Aaron going to be able to accept everything or is he going to be like, I don't know why we're running this? Like, no, I'm audibleing out of this until they kind of find their dance, right? So, maybe for the Falcons perspective, that's could be a positive for them because maybe they haven't completely meshed yet. I don't know. We'll find out once we get on the field on Sunday. >> We'll certainly see on Sunday. I'm glad you brought up Michael Pitman Jr. because he has been with an injury for a little bit now and it's a little bit up in the air if he will play on Sunday. Right now he's saying that he feels good enough to go. But something interesting about it is he mentioned the the um the friendship that Mike McCarthy and Aaron um Rogers have together and how they kind of get together and they speak in code. And he said honestly for me not being part of training camp, not getting the actual reps in was fine. It was the mental reps that I was working through. And I think because I have a I have a good standing on where the mental reps are, I'll be able to go out on Sunday and get a get the job done and be able to get some receptions for Aaron Rogers. We will see what happens there. Did not even mention TJ Watt and Alex Highmith and all the guys on the defense. It's a gross defense and TJ Watt is one of the guys at the helm of it. Number 90 entering his 10th year in this um in the NFL. Quickly guys, before we move on, Alex Highmith, TJ Watt, what do you do with those two? Um, yeah, we'll have some more about them later on the show. Hopefully Taylor block them, hopefully get to the point to where they're not completely affecting the game, but they're both extremely talented players. They will have to be accounted for. >> They are extremely talented and they get after the quarterback quickly. But speaking of quarterback, we do have some film review with our DJ Shaki talking about what you can see from Tujangoa on Sunday if he does start >> guys. And of course, you know, I'm gonna talk about something that I love QBS. I get to talk Tua, get to talk about some of the things he does really well. There are a bunch of different characteristics of Tua Tongalo that makes him pretty special. And I got about three plays I'm going to show you on different throws, different movement that makes him who he is and why he's been so special over his first six years. Here you go. Let's start with this play here. You talk about pocket awareness. Now, look at this. He's going to get pressure from the top. Got pressure coming around this way. He's kind of pressure coming in from this way. But watch. His eyes are still downfield going through his progressions. But as the pressure comes, look at him move. And then this is the best part I think that happens when Tulle gets outside the pocket is yeah, maybe if they take it, he can run, but he's also keeping his eyes down the field. Does such a good job of keeping his eyes down the field trying to find guys to throw the football to and now gets outside the pocket and then is accurate with the football, putting on his receiver. Big- time play there. Pocket movement, the awareness to get away from pushed inside the pocket and then getting outside and still keeping his eyes downfield to throw the football. big- time completion. Things we absolutely can't wait to watch him do here. This play here, I was super excited. I ain't gonna lie to watch this stro to watch the anticipation of it. Watch this stro here. Now, this is what happens. I'm going explain what happens. They got a 3x1 going here. This is the route he wants to hit. They're playing a little cover two right here on the outside. Maybe quarters at the top. But the guy he has to really pay attention to are these two safeties because if he throws it too far inside, this safety can react and come make a play on it. If he throws it too far up the field, this guy can break it up. But it's the anticipation and the layered throw. The layered throw to get it over this guy is what's really special. So he has three guys he has to tend with to try to get his tight end the football. Oh yeah, that could be Cal Pitch running right down the seam. Watch this throw here. Unbelievable job. The first part is his eyes were looking this way. Now he lets this football go. Look when he's letting his football go. He was even with this backer. But the height of the football here is what I say the layered throw. Push it just enough over this backer that it gets over him, but low enough where it's enough speed to put it on top of this receiver. And look at the small window he had to place that in. Unbelievable job of layering this throw. Watch it again here. Eyes to the right. knowing, understanding that this guy can take it away if he throws it, but then also layered enough to put it over that backer, but right in between the two safeties, and then giving his receiver a chance to come down with it and then make a play after the catch. An unbelievable job of anticipation, unbelievable job of the layered part of the throw, but also putting it on a dime so his guy can go get it. The last part is what you love here. This is what's called the ball placement. putting in a position where only his guy can go get it and understanding his personnel. We talked about Kyle being a guy who's a mismatch issue. How about Drake in the red zone, a mismatch issue. They're going to run what's called a smash concept here. Back's going to go in the flat. Here's your big time receiver or in this case could have be tight end and he's going to run a corner out against a smaller corner here. Tula does a good job of understanding I have a bigger guy here. I got the matchup I want. Eyes are there on him. This is the guy he has to beat. This guy's trying to play in between. He can't be right. He's playing in between, but again, a wellthrown football beats this guy. Now, here's a guy also that he wants to throw it to. This guy's sitting on the route because he's in the end zone. But that doesn't mean he's not open with a guy of his size in the National Football League. Throws it to a spot. And watch him go up and get this ball. And look where that football was at the highest point where his guy can go get it. Let's watch it again. One more time. Going back through it. It ends up being a touchdown. Unbelievable job of putting in a position where only his guy can get it. High point of football and boom, look at that football up top above right below that defensive back high enough where your guy can go get it. Unbelievable job from Tua showing pocket awareness being able to move with the football inside the pocket, but then also anticipation throwing it to his personnel understanding where to go and also the ball placement. Tua has all the intangibles to be really special and he's done it from multiple years in the National Football League. We're hoping that happens on week one as well. >> All right, thank you so much, Shock. Always enjoy your film reviews. Always fun to watch. Obviously, that was all stuff from Pittsburgh and two knows what it looks like to have TJ Watt coming down the pipeline. Alex Highmith on the other side coming down the pipeline for you. It's going to be a fun day on Sunday, but there are other matchups to watch when it comes to these two teams on both offense and defensive side of the ball. Will, we'll start with you. What is a main matchup that you're looking up at looking at for on Sunday? >> Well, I think one of the key kind of question marks going into this game on Pittsburgh side is Joey Porter Jr. and whether or not he is going to be available and play for them. He's going through a little bit of a contract negotiation right now ahead of his fourth season. Uh it doesn't latest reports indicate like they're not extremely close. So that seems to be up in the air a little bit, but he had 14 pass breakups last season. It was tied for 12th most in the NFL. He is a very good zone coverage corner who can also get up in your face. So if he's not in, I would look for Atlanta to use some of the size mismatches. Obviously, they still have Jamal Dean, Jaylen Ramsey, those guys are really good in their own right. But anytime a team is down their top corner, I immediately or could be down their top corner, I would look at that as a start to kind of say, okay, how can we take advantage of a particular matchup here? and do we like what we're going to be getting? But really, I I kind of think a lot of the passing game could be secondary to at Atlanta's main approach, which is number seven. >> You bring up Jaylen Ramsay in in that and obviously Joey Porter Jr. the Steelers have made it clear from the not before Joey Porter Jr. was even part of this team. We do not do contracts. We do not do extensions once the season starts. So, if Sunday comes around and it hasn't been done, then he will play on the current contract that he has and that will be that. um also has been an active or a light participant in practice due to a back injury that he had during training camp. But you brought up Jaylen Ramsay. He was also on the pup during the entirety of training camp. And my biggest question for you guys is how does that affect your secondary when two of your corners, whether that's a nickel and Jaylen Ramsay and a corner in Joey Pro Jr. when they haven't practiced together a lot, what does that look like as you go into week one with unscouted looks? Yeah, Taylor, I think it's when you're talking about those specific guys, you're probably not too worried because they're veterans and they're proven playmakers at their position, right? So, a lot of times in the preseason, you're just trying to make sure that you guys get to regular season and they're as healthy as possible. And how many times have we talked about mental reps, whether we hear Cooper Rush talking about mental reps or every player always has to get mental reps. you're a guy like Jay Jaylen Ramsey as long as you get that room that the work in the tape and then you're out on the practice field and you kind of just rehearse things through your mind. Yes, you definitely want to get the full speed reps. But that's a guy will like Jaylen Ramsay when you give him a couple of snaps, maybe one or two series on Sunday and he's going to be back to normal finding ways to make plays. Hopefully not too many against Atlanta, but that's what you get with a veteran secondary like him. Asanti Samuel, you talked about some of the other guys, Jamal Dean. give Pittsburgh credit. Even though they're having the issue with Joey Porter Jr., they've got some veterans back there in the secondary. >> All right, I do want to continue talking about this defense. I want to move up a couple levels, though. I want to go to the first level and talk about this defensive line and this outside linebacker group because that's the matchup I'm looking at. I'm looking at the trenches. We know Ian Cunningham speaks very highly of the trenches. It's where everyone knows that the games and championships are won. It starts in the trenches. And here's the most interesting thing about this for the Falcons offensive line. This is one of the oldest offensive lines in the NFL right now. The average years of experience for the five guys that typically start for this team, 7 and a half years of experience. Altogether, 38 years of experience. Then you flip it to the Steelers side. Also, one of the oldest defensive line and outside linebacker rooms in the league altogether. It's around seven um seven and a half years. And then if you flip a couple other guys in there, around nine years of experience depending on which guys you put at the Dend position to start. Obviously, we don't have those looks yet. We don't know who's going to start at the end come week one. But I think that's going to be really interesting to see these guys. Like you mentioned with Aaron Rogers earlier, they've seen almost everything you can do in a playbook. It's going to be interesting to see who wins in the trenches and who can hold the other one as long as possible and out out live, outlast, outplay if you're a Survivor fan. Let's see who who can kind of win in the trenches on Sunday. >> I don't watch Survivor, but I'm more impressed of your knowledge of the trenches in the line of scrimmage. Like who do you think I am? >> You're grow. No, it's just your growth over the years, Taylor. Like, you know, you wanted to talk about quarterbacks and defensive backs and wide receivers, and look at you now talking about the lines of scrimmage. But she's right because you go into any season and what's one area where you want a lot of experience? Where's one area that you want stability specifically for your quarterback? It's your offensive line. Can I count on those guys up front? You think of Atlanta is just guys that have been starters year after year after year resigning Matthew Berseron to an extension. He's going to be here will for a while longer. They got to feel comfortable with how things look on the offensive line depending on who the quarterback is for Atlanta this weekend. >> Absolutely. There's a lot of continuity there. Uh but there is a new addition Jan Taylor and I mean what a kind of first game for him getting to go up against TJ Watt, Alex Highmith, all of those great pass rushers over there. But there's also another new addition that's Bill Callahan. And I I have just heard rave reviews from players, other coaches, everybody about what Bill Callahan is going to bring. Very excited to see his influence, how they've evolved the run game, and how they can continue to unlock a very good offensive line and bean Robinson. >> Yeah. You talk about experience. Bill Callahan's got it. He's been in the league for a long time, but he's very good as an offensive line coach. What is your key match up that you're looking at this week, Rack? Well, you know, we talked a little bit about Aaron Rogers, and obviously we know he's one of the best passing quarterbacks that the National Football League has ever seen, but what we haven't talked about is we've talked a little bit about Pittsburgh secondary, but how about Atlanta's secondary? Because not only is there a lot of returning talent there, we haven't seen Jesse Bates much so far this year, but he's one of the best playmakers in his position. We saw Xavier Watts last year, what he did as a rookie, impact player from day one, and then not only one but two Terrells this year, AJ's younger brother Avon likely going to be playing the nickel position this year. And I'm excited to get Billy Bowman back hopefully for this weekend at some point throughout this season if it's not on Sunday. But I really liked what we saw from him in limited action last year and looking forward to see his development from year one to year two. And then some of the other guys that might factor in there as well. Maybe they're going to play some special teams. I think this is a group that's got some strength. Like many people, I'm excited to see how Avon Terrell ends up kicking off his career. And who knows, as a nickel position, we talked about the tight ends, Pat Frimouth and Washington, two mountain of men. Maybe he gets matched up with them. We're going to see his competitiveness at an early part of his career starting this Sunday. What I find really interesting, you guys, I went back and watched all the press conferences that the Steelers kind of hosted this week and all of their past catchers and Aaron Rogers, they all mentioned the safeties of this group, Jesse Bates and Xavier Watts. It's impressive that Xavier Watts has only been in the league for one year and it seems like everybody already knows who the sophomore safety is. It's going to be a fun year watching these two work together again. But like you mentioned, Aaron Rogers knows who these two guys are and he said in his press conference, you got to come quick. You got to come accurate because they know where the ball is and they're going to take it away from you if you give them an opportunity. So, it's going to be fun watching Jesse Bates get back on the field. It's going to be fun watching them work together again as well. But now it's time for everyone's favorite, you guys. It's going to be a little bit different this year. I'm got I've gotten rid of Taylor's preference. It's Yeah. >> Did you get rid of it or did like management get rid of it? >> It's a hard loss to the community. We are going to go to the keys to the game presented by Wells Fargo. As always, three keys to the game. Looks a little bit different this year. One, we'll all have one key. We're going to start with Will, though. Will, what is your key to the game for Sunday? >> Yeah, you got to win the turnover battle. Uh, I think it's week one. Everybody is focused on on fundamentals. I think you got to play a clean game. Kevin Stfansky said turnover margin is kind of the number one stat we see in a league that is defined by one-score games. The swing that a fumble or an interception can have. So on Sunday, the Falcons don't have to play a perfect game, but I do think they should try to play as clean a game as they can. >> Ball security is gonna is paramount. It's it's generally the one stat line that you look at to your point in close games, win or loss, that's not only offensive, defensively, but that's on special teams as well. Can Atlanta special teams, can they find a way to take the football away in that third phase of the game will be huge in the outcome. >> Well, and it's not just interceptions um and pickoffs or anything like that. It's also being able to bat the ball down and get the ball out of a runner's hand a little bit and that kind of comes from sometimes your edge rushers can do that. What is your key to the game today? >> My key to the game is uh yeah, those two guys that we talked about earlier, TJ Watt and Alex Highmith, you've got to be able to neutralize those. Now, I use that word strategically because I don't know if you go out and you ever just completely shut those guys down, right? But if TJ Watt has a half a tackle for a loss and maybe a couple quarterback hurries, you're okay with that. If Alex Highmith maybe has one sack and that's it between those two, then you might be in good shape. But just think about this sa uh TJ Watt had seven sacks last year, 115 in his career. Alex Highmith, he's got 45 in his career. That's 160 career sacks between two guys and they're going to be coming off the edge. So if you don't neutralize them, it could be a long game. One thing that I did look at though guys, Taylor, you look at the last two years when Tommy Reese was at Cleveland, same division. Y right three games TJ Watt had a half a sack over the last two years. So maybe Tommy Reese has got a little something up his sleeve on how we slow him down. Tommy if you do bring that again this weekend. >> Something I'll quickly mention before we get to my key to the game is Watt's been in the league like I said earlier 10 yearsmith has been in the league for seven. Don't want to forget about Alex Heismith because listen he had let's see I have the number here. He had seven sacks last year. Is that what you said? >> What? >> He had nine and a half sacks last year. Don't forget about Heismith. He's on the other side. And if you if you're worried about 90, you're going to miss 58 or 56, excuse me, all the way home. Here's my key to the game. Trust your technique. Look, it's week one. There's unscouted looks. Everyone's talking about what do you think you're going to expect from Aaron Rogers or for Aaron Rogers. What are you going to expect from this Falcons defense? And no one knows anything. This is two new regimes, two new head coaches, two new styles of offense and of defense for these two teams. Trust your technique. You've been in training camp all summer long. how long you've been in OTAA as you've been learning this new offense and this defense from Olrich. Trust what you know. Stay with your feet, stay on the grass, and trust what you know. >> Listen, you got to prepare for your opponent. You got to scheme for your opponent. You got to respect your opponent. But at the end of the day, you got to take care of your business. How many times have we heard coaches in press conferences say, "I'm worried about us. I'm worried about how we execute. I'm worried about how we go out and carry out the game plan." That is going to be one of the most important things for Atlanta this weekend. >> All right, guys. Well, like we said, the the game is going to be in Acer Stadium up in Pit Pittsburgh on Sunday at 1. It's on Fox. I think it's like the main um broadcasted game this this uh week on at the 1:00 spot across America. So, it's going to kind of be the one o'clock prime time game. >> It's the main game because we covered it right here for you on the pregame show. Okay. >> We appreciate you joining us for the pregame show. It's actually our fourth season of the pregame show. It's kind of crazy that we've made it this far. And something I do want to call out quickly, >> we did win an Emmy for this show last year. So, thank you guys all so much for watching the show and enjoying the show. We hope that you enjoy it. We hope that you enjoy it on Thursdays. Every Thursday, we will have a new pregame show for you guys, previewing the game coming up on Sundays. We will see you on Sunday. I think Will will be with Arch for a pregame hit, updating us on the inactives and any of their storylines that we miss from now until Sunday. Until then, we will see you next Thursday. Bye, guys.