Falcons Open Season with Commanding Win Over Seahawks

ATLANTA, GA - The Atlanta Falcons kicked off their season in style, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 34-17 in a dominant showing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and tight end Kyle Pitts led the charge for Atlanta, putting on a performance that solidified their status as contenders in the NFC. Meanwhile, Seattle's struggles from last season persisted, as they failed to find consistency on both sides of the ball.

Game Recap

The Falcons made their intentions clear early, controlling the game with a balanced attack. Michael Penix Jr., in his first full season as Atlanta’s starting quarterback, delivered a strong performance, throwing for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Kyle Pitts was unstoppable, racking up 167 receiving yards and two touchdowns. "We knew we could exploit certain matchups, and Michael just kept finding me," Pitts said after the game.

The Seahawks, led by rookie quarterback Tanner Pittman, showed flashes of promise but struggled to protect the football. Pittman threw two touchdowns but also had three interceptions, all of which were capitalized on by the Falcons. "Tough day, but I'll learn from it," Pittman said. "This is just the start."

Seattle's offense relied heavily on veteran receiver Tyler Lockett, who caught seven passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns. However, their run game was stifled by Atlanta's defense, with running back Kenneth Walker III held to just 26 yards on 11 carries.

Falcons head coach Chuck Davis praised his team's focus. "This was a complete effort-offense, defense, and special teams all clicked today. We set the tone for the season."

Key Stats

Michael Penix Jr. completed 17 of 29 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while Kyle Pitts led all receivers with 167 yards and two scores on six receptions. Falcons’ running back Bijan Robinson chipped in with 67 rushing yards and a touchdown.

For the Seahawks, Tanner Pittman completed 23 of 34 passes for 239 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Tyler Lockett led Seattle's receiving corps with seven catches for 69 yards and two scores.

Atlanta's defense was relentless, recording two sacks and three interceptions, with safety Jessie Bates III leading the way. Seattle's defense failed to record a sack or a turnover.

Injuries

No injuries were reported for either team.

Up Next

The Falcons (1-0) will hit the road next week to face the San Francisco 49ers in a marquee NFC matchup. The Seahawks (0-1) will return to Seattle to host the Arizona Cardinals for their home opener.