The Falcoholic
The Atlanta Falcons weren’t going to get a much two game stretch than the one against the Saints and Jets, and it represented their last, best hope to claw their way back into the NFC South. Instead, they did what they’ve done so many times in recent years with such aplomb and found a way to lose on a rainy day in New Jersey. With Nick Folks’ 56 yard field goal just squeaking through, Atlanta dropped to 4-8 and their season is officially over. All that’s left is playing out the string and seeing what’s ahead for the franchise.
What more can you really say? When the Falcons needed a stop, they couldn’t get one. When they needed a big play, they got drops, especially on the last critical drive when David Sills and Darnell Mooney both failed to reel in first downs that would have changed the game. And they got weather-aided mistakes that doomed them, from Mike Hughes slipping in coverage to Jamal Agnew muffing a punt the Jets picked up at the two yard line and powered in for their first touchdown. It was an effort that featured some degree of failure in all three phases, and the Falcons lost in embarrassing fashion yet again to a bad team. They need improvement, they need change, and they need to stop subjecting us to this on Sunday afternoons. I’m beyond fed up.
Here’s a drive-by-drive recap of the game you just watched.
Atlanta got it first, and Jamal Agnew got it back to the 24. Bijan Robinson stumbled his way to seven yards on first down. Bijan then reeled off 11 yards and another first down. He followed that up with four yards, and then Deven Thompkins took a carry for five yards. Then Tyler Allgeier was stopped cold on a toss to lose a yard. Bradley Pinion punted and the Jets had it inside the 15.
Tyrod Taylor threw it on first down to John Metchie, but A.J. Terrell was all over him. A Breece Hall toss got some good blocking and he went for eight yards. On third down, Mason Taylor reeled in a first down grab for about five yards. Taylor hit Taylor again for a first down. Hall then slipped a tackle attempt by LaCale London and picked up three yards. A seeming quality gain saw an ineligible player downfield, backing them up five yards. Taylor then scrambled for a few yards, with two Falcons defenders colliding and Arnold Ebiketie coming up with a slight limp. Taylor then scrambled again and looked like he’d get a first, but the Falcons stopped him just shy of a first down. The Jets punted, and they downed it around the 10.
Encroachment moved the Falcons up five yards. A quick pass to Thompkins picked up 19. Bijan then took it nine yards before rolling it forward for a yard or so. Kirk Cousins was pressured on second down and dirted it. Then he found...
