ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons had showcased signs of promise with a three-game winning streak, causing fans to speculate that they might be contenders for the top tier of the NFL. However, a disappointing defeat against the Seattle Seahawks revealed a lingering issue for the franchise — their inconsistency, which has been a narrative throughout their nearly sixty years of history.
The Falcons, sitting at 4-3, experienced a heavy 34-14 loss at home against a Seattle squad that was struggling with its own three-game losing streak. The team’s underperformance was notably disheartening as they appeared out of sync despite their prior momentum.
“It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact issue,” said Raheem Morris, the team’s first-year head coach. “We simply didn’t start the game with the necessary energy to secure a win.” Throughout the match, Atlanta never took the lead, with Seattle capitalizing on three turnovers in the final quarter, including a fumble recovery that led to a decisive touchdown, cementing their victory.
“It’s tough to achieve a win in the NFL, let alone string together consecutive victories,” Morris noted. “Winning four in a row is a hallmark of good teams. We need to learn how to make that happen.”
One critical moment occurred right before halftime when Seattle’s Geno Smith threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf with only 4 seconds left, extending the Seahawks’ advantage to 17-7. Safety Justin Simmons took responsibility for a lapse in communication that allowed Metcalf to break free.
“That should never happen,” Simmons acknowledged. “As the last line of defense, that’s simply unacceptable.” Nevertheless, safety Jessie Bates emphasized the importance of remaining calm, acknowledging that while the defeat was puzzling, the team still stands in a favorable position as the season advances. “We took a loss, but we’re going to be okay,” Bates stated.
Looking at the positives, the Falcons once again displayed a strong running game, following their season-best performance of 198 rushing yards against Carolina. Bijan Robinson led the charge with 103 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown, averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per carry for the game.
However, the team’s inability to produce an effective pass rush remains a pressing concern. James Smith-Williams recorded the only sack of Smith, who skillfully evaded much of the pressure throughout the match. So far this season, the Falcons have only secured six sacks, the lowest in the league, which was unexpected given the return of Grady Jarrett and the acquisition of four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon. “Timing is key; we need to get to the quarterback consistently,” Morris asserted.
On a positive note, tight end Kyle Pitts has seen an uptick in his role within the offense, being targeted nine times and finishing with a team-leading seven catches for 65 yards against the Seahawks. In the last three games, Pitts has accumulated 17 receptions for 223 yards, a significant improvement compared to his earlier figures of eight catches for 115 yards in the first four weeks.
Conversely, the offensive line faced significant challenges in protecting Kirk Cousins, who was sacked three times and hit nine times after releasing the ball. Left guard Matthew Bergeron further exacerbated the situation by leaving the game with a neck injury in the third quarter, adding to the struggles already shaped by the absence of starting center Drew Dalman, who is currently on injured reserve.
A concerning statistic emerged as well: the Falcons were penalized nine times for a total of 72 yards, including a pivotal roughing-the-passer penalty. After Demone Harris — brought up from the practice squad due to Lorenzo Carter’s injury — rolled into Smith during a critical play, it led to a touchdown for the Seahawks on the next attempt. Additionally, the offense was guilty of four false-start penalties. “Generally, we have been disciplined,” Morris reflected. “Now we must address these issues.”
Next on the horizon for the Falcons is a match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday, an NFC South clash that will hold significant implications. Entering Week 7, both teams shared the division lead, so a victory for Atlanta could give them an advantage in the standings following their recent overtime win against the Bucs on October 3, which ended 36-30.