ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons fans got what they wanted at quarterback during Sunday’s NFC South Division opener against the Carolina Panthers.
Sort of.
With third-string journeyman Cooper Rush struggling through a miserable afternoon in his second straight start, Atlanta fans were calling for undrafted rookie Jack Strand to come in off the bench. When coach Kevin Stefanski removed Rush with the Falcons trailing 27-3 in the third quarter, Strand entered to a loud ovation.
And then his first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
The Falcons’ problems at quarterback continued in an ugly 34-3 loss to the Panthers. Rush finished 10-of-17 pass for 86 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble. Strand’s stats — 8-of-15 for 59 yards with an interception and a lost fumble — were compiled during mopup time against Panthers second-stringers and with running back Bijan Robinson, receiver Drake London and other Atlanta starters on the home sideline.