Jones And Coleman Notes

[Trouble]

Julio Jones caught 9-of-11 targets for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons' 26-24, Week 1 win over the Eagles on Monday night.

Absolute freak. Jones' debut in OC Kyle Shanahan's new offense couldn't have gone any better, and the stats actually would have been even bigger had two long gains by Jones not gotten called back by penalties. He took wanna-be No. 1 corner Byron Maxwell to the woodshed, beating him on his second score and later roasting him for a 44-yard gain down the right side, pretty much having his way with him anytime Maxwell was lined up across from Jones. He also beat No. 2 corner Nolan Carroll several times on quick-hitters, which is how Julio scored his first touchdown. Jones is going to be peppered with targets in this high-octane passing offense and should threaten career-highs across the board should he stay healthy. The Falcons go on the road to face the Giants in Week 2.

Tevin Coleman rushed 20 times for 80 yards in the Falcons' Week 1 win over the Eagles Monday night.

Coleman averaged 4.0 YPC compared to Devonta Freeman's pitiful 1.8 mark on 10 carries. Coleman consistently fell forward for positive yards, while Freeman was knocked backward for two big, drive-killing losses against a stout Eagles defense. Freeman was more involved in the pass game with a 3-29 line compared to Coleman's zero catches, but Coleman got the start and won the Week 1 battle between the two. The rookie's role should only grow under OC Kyle Shanahan, who handpicked Coleman. The Falcons go on the road to face the Giants' weak defense in Week 2. Coleman might be worth a look as an RB2.