ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons' offense in 2022 was bound to look markedly different than it did a season ago under head coach Arthur Smith. The quarterback changed, and almost every receiver is new.

As much as last season was about doing what they could with the players inherited, this season is about building the offense Smith wants. Sunday, in a 27-26 loss to the New Orleans Saints that saw the Falcons blow a 16-point fourth-quarter lead, was the first real unveiling of what Smith could try to do offensively.

Even in a loss, there were clear changes and obvious promise.

In terms of formations and personnel, the Falcons varied looks and used motion often – including on two plays where rookie receiver Drake London came across the back of the formation as the was ball snapped, an intriguing Smith wrinkle. Formations ranged from a full-house backfield with quarterback Marcus Mariota in the pistol to the typical empty shotgun formation many teams will run.

There were designed rollouts to move the pocket and designed quarterback runs for Mariota, who had 12 carries for 74 yards. Those were plays that would not have been as successful last season with Matt Ryan, who isn't a dual-threat option like Mariota and the rookie Desmond Ridder, running the offense.

With a multitude of Falcons who can play different spots -- tight ends Kyle Pitts and Parker Hesse can line up all over the formation, as can running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Avery Williams, along with the receiver London -- it allowed for their diverse skill sets to keep defenses guessing. It led to passing attempts to nine different receivers, eight of whom caught at least one, led by five receptions for 74 yards for London in his first career game.

It was, “for the most part,” what Smith wanted to see, and the diversity of personnel and packages was how Smith envisioned it. Atlanta ran the ball 38 times and threw it 32 times.

“I do think we’re so versatile in a lot of things that we do that it kind of just depends week-to-week,” Mariota said. “I guess today was one of those days where I thought we were doing a great job and were able to run the football.

“So yes, I think we’re on the right track, but we just have to be better in the red zone and some of these third-down situations.”

If there was an offensive failing Sunday, it was those situations. Atlanta converted 5 of 13 third downs, and only 2 of 6 in the first half. It converted 2 of 4 red zone chances, including a costly Mariota fumble in the third quarter that could have given the Falcons more of a cushion before the collapse -- a play where Mariota “lost track of where I was” while he was trying to run for the first down.

But the run game was also where Atlanta thrived. One first half drive -- when the Falcons ran the ball on of nine plays, ending in a Patterson touchdown -- felt like a potential ideal Smith drive come to life.

“I love it, man,” Patterson said. “We go as Arthur go. Whatever Arthur want, we’re going to go and give it to him.”

The Falcons ran for 201 yards, the highest total for the Falcons since a 215-yard game against Arizona in 2018. They accomplished that despite having to alter the offensive game plan after Patterson’s running mate, Damien Williams, missed the majority of the game with an ankle injury. Patterson joked with Williams, who eventually returned in the fourth quarter after suffering a rib injury on the second drive, he was cramping so Williams had to get back out there.

But it also created a career day for Patterson, with highs in carries (22) and rushing yards (120), even though after the game he was shocked he had that many carries. Patterson didn’t expect to play as much as he did, because he and Williams had discussed being a tandem backfield for months.

When Williams got hurt, Patterson had no choice. The offense continued operating with the efficiency the Falcons had hoped for anyway.

It’s an offense with many options, one with a lot of diverse players and one that if the Falcons are going to compete in 2022, has to look at least as it did Sunday: efficient, productive and balanced.