ATLANTA — Following an off week, the Atlanta Falcons find themselves in a familiar position, leading the struggling NFC South division. As the team aims for its first playoff appearance since 2017, the shadows of their past continue to loom large, particularly the infamous Super Bowl collapse where they squandered a 28-3 lead. This moment serves as a reminder of the franchise’s long history of disappointments over nearly six decades in the NFL.
Currently holding a 6-5 record, the Falcons have yet to capture a Super Bowl title. Their recent performances haven’t inspired much confidence, particularly following two disappointing matchups before their bye week. A close 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints ended their hopes of solidifying a strong season, allowing New Orleans to break a seven-game losing streak. The situation worsened with a disheartening 38-6 defeat to the Denver Broncos, marking the Falcons’ most significant loss since 2021.
The persistent disappointments of Atlanta sports seem to be weighing heavily on the fans once again. Coach Raheem Morris emphasized the need for resilience following the Broncos loss, declaring, “No one game will ever define you.” He insisted that the team possesses the strength to recover from such setbacks, reiterating the organization’s backbone of resilience during challenging times.
As they resume practice, all eyes will turn to Kirk Cousins, the $180 million quarterback brought in to navigate the franchise through its tumultuous period post-Matt Ryan. In his inaugural season with the Falcons, Cousins has delivered impressive statistics, including a personal best of 509 passing yards in a game against Tampa Bay. However, he now faces the pressure of going two consecutive games without a touchdown pass, something he hasn’t experienced as a starter before.
Cousins acknowledged the need to assess both the team’s strengths and weaknesses to find solutions moving forward, stating, “There’s no magic formula.” He emphasized the significance of understanding what needs to be rectified as they work toward improvement. The quarterback has expressed his enthusiasm in potentially leading a title-hungry city to its first championship but knows that fans have limited tolerance for further disappointments. Should the Falcons struggle against the Los Angeles Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, Cousins could quickly find himself under scrutiny.
The Falcons also have a young talent in Michael Penix Jr., the first-round draft pick who waits patiently for his chance. Cousins praised the rookie, highlighting their collective efforts in the quarterback room to enhance each other’s performances continuously.
The bye week arrived at a crucial time for a Falcons team beleaguered by injuries. During their last game against the Broncos, eight players, including several starters from the defense, were sidelined, with four more exiting during the game. Although offensive struggles have been evident recently, the most pressing concerns appear to rest with the defense. The Falcons’ defense was thoroughly outplayed by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who completed 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdown throws.
In light of the dismal defensive display, Morris suggested that during the bye week, they would review their strategy. “We always look at that,” he stated, indicating that the coaching staff would take this time to reflect and make necessary adjustments. Known for their struggles in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, the Falcons currently rank last in the league, recording only 10 sacks to date.
Despite their hardships, the Falcons remain in a favorable position to maintain their lead in the division, with an unlikely collapse required to lose their spot atop the NFC South. With three winnable games against the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers remaining, a winning record, and possibly a division title, is still within reach.
Cousins believes it’s essential for the team to concentrate on one game at a time. He remarked on the mental challenge of keeping each game separate from the previous or upcoming matches, emphasizing the requisite focus. However, for long-time fans who have witnessed the team’s past failures, maintaining such a mindset proves to be more difficult.