Falcons have to figure out late-game woes
The Atlanta Falcons have to get through what has become a slow start to the regular season, plagued by late-game collapses.
This was most evident last weekend at the brand new Mercedes Benz Stadium, when the Falcons blew a 17-0 third-quarter lead against the average Miami Dolphins. Miami was able to stun the capacity crowd with 20 unanswered points, with the Dolphins ending the game on a Reshad Jones interception in the red zone to preserve the victory.
This weekend, the Falcons take on the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl LI rematch, perhaps the tonic they need. Atlanta is 3-2 on the campaign but appears to be sleepwalking at times, barely beating the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions on the way. Only their Week 2 win over the Green Bay Packers has looked convincing, and now the Patriots, the team that famously came back from a 28-3 deficit against Atlanta, stands in the way.
In many ways, this could be a good thing for a team that has to find its way again. Atlanta is facing the league’s worst defense, with the Patriots giving up well north of 400 yards per game. They are also the first team in NFL history to give up at least 300 yards passing in each other first six contests, somehow only leaving them with a 4-2 record.
This weekend, Â corners Eric Rowe and Stephon Gilmore won’t be able to play. Rowe has been out of practice all week with a groin ailment while Gilmore will miss his second straight game with a concussion.
With New England down two of its top three corners, the Falcons have to take advantage of what has been a horrid secondary even when healthy. Julio Jones is still looking or his first touchdown of the year, something he can’t be saying after this Sunday night affair. Matt Ryan has thrown as many touchdowns as interceptions thus far (six each), something that has to change if the Falcons plan on beating the Patriots, and if they plan on winning a suddenly good NFC South.
Atlanta has a golden opportunity in front of it. Win against the Patriots, and the looming specter of past failures go by the boards. Lose this game, and the Falcons are sitting 3-3, on a three-game losing streak, hoping to find their way against a tough schedule ahead.
At some point, one of the most-talented rosters in the NFL has to get something going. The Patriots provide both the lack of defense and motivation to make that happen.
