The defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons have gotten off to a lackluster start in 2017 on their road to redemption from their Super Bowl fiasco. They look like they have lost their touch from a year ago. A last second win against the Bears and Lions, games they could have easily lost, and their losses to the Patriots, Bills, and Dolphins, are signs of how the Falcons have regressed. We had hope in this team when they beat the Packers, quite convincingly, at home early on in the season. But as the season has gone on, the Falcons, especially the offense, have looked terrible.
In 2016 under Kyle Shanahan, the Falcons had the best offense in terms of points scored and yards. The team averaged nearly 35 points and 416 yards a game. This year through 6 games, they are averaging 21 points and 373 yards a game. So, while the yardage does not look terrible, the points per game have dropped by two touchdowns. And lets not forget that in the last 3 games (all losses) the Falcons have averaged just below 14 points a game. So what is wrong with the Falcons and their offense?
First off, you can look to their former MVP Matt Ryan. Through 6 games, Ryan has thrown for 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Last year, he had 7 interceptions the ENTIRE YEAR. You can just look at Matt Ryan this year and he looks completely different. He is throwing for 252 yards a game. Not a shabby stat, but he has not really shown up so far this year. The Falcons offense relies on how well Ryan plays, as you can tell.
One other reason is new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. You can look at this offense and just tell that there is something wrong. His play calling has been subpar to say the least and it was definitely seen in their recent loss to the Patriots 23-7. Yes, it was really foggy, but I mean come on, that is a lame excuse. For starters, when it was 4th and goal on the one yard line, Sark runs a jet sweep to Taylor Gabriel. When I was watching this, the first thought in my head was “What is this? That was a terrible play call.” You are on the one yard line, with Devonta Freeman, a man who you just paid the big bucks, and you give it to Taylor Gabriel? I mean come on. Let’s not also forget that Julio Jones just caught his first TD of the season Sunday night. How is that even possible? Julio is one of the best wide outs in the league and he just caught his FIRST TD of the season? There is no question this offense is struggling at the moment, and I think part of what is wrong with the Falcons is Steve Sarkisian and his play calling.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons have the talent to be one of the best. Under new defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel, they have looked decent. Statistically last year they allowed 370 yards a game, while this year they are allowing 327 yards a game. However, they have only forced three turnovers this year, two being interceptions and one being a fumble.They had defensive stands against the Bears in week one and the Lions in week 3, so they have shown flashes of potential. They bend but do not break, usually. The offense has kind of put them in a tough position at times, but if the defense improves some of its kinks, we could see this team turn around. There is no question this defense is talented.
Overall, the Falcons lack of success comes down to the tiny miscues. Matt Ryan misses a throw or Devonta Freeman misses the hole, but these little mistakes are adding up. Put the little mistakes with some iffy play calling and you get a 3-3 team that has the potential to really be 5-1. In order to fix what is wrong with the Falcons, they will need to expand their play calling on offense and actually give their playmakers an opportunity to do something with the ball. If the Falcons do not fix this issue, we are not just saying goodbye to another Super Bowl run, we may be saying goodbye to the playoffs in general.
@EricJPersources
