NFL week one winners and losers: Michael Penix Jr to European fans

There could be a quarterback battle brewing in Atlanta while there were encouraging signs of a change in fortune for the Commanders

Atlanta's decision to draft a quarterback in April after the Falcons also handed Kirk Cousins a $180m contract the previous month is a thorny one. On the basis of the veteran signalcaller's shoddy debut in a loss to the Steelers, the Falcons will be happy they drafted a potential replacement for Cousins. Clearly it is far too early to write off the veteran: the game-wrecking presence of the Steelers' future Hall of Fame edge rusher, TJ Watt, and the rust of Cousins's 10-month layoff are significant mitigating factors. But the nature of such an emphatic cratering on debut will have ownership and supporters wondering if Cousins can be the difference maker they expected.