The Falcons Can Build Off The Loss From The Reigning Super Bowl Champs

Atlanta, Ga –  Once again, the Atlanta Falcons had a chance to win the game with less than a minute left. Unlike last Monday night, they came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs that resulted in the 22-17 loss.

There were a lot of variables that the Falcons could control and some instances that were out their hand that factored into the loss.

 

Overview

Atlanta started the game with a seven-play, 70-yard drive that ended in a 14-yard touchdown pass to Drake London. Then they were able to stop the Chiefs on their first drive.

From there thats when we saw the team struggle offensively at times.

What they couldn’t control was losing both, center Drew Dalman and tackle Caleb McGary in the game. That quickly changed the how they were using running back Bijan Robinson.

‘I had to stay in and help most of the time in the second half to make sure Kirk [Cousins] wasn’t going to get sacked,” stated Robinson. “It was definitely tough.”

Also, there were some questionable calls, including the no-call pass interference on Kyle Pitts late in the fourth quarter in the end zone that would have put the Falcons at the one-yard line.

Defensively, the bend-but-don’t-break approach help the Falcons limit the Chiefs offense from putting the game out of reach. They were able to hold Patrick Mahomes to 217 passing yards and were able to get an interception, which was made by safety, Justin Simmons.

The leaders on defense, including cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. believes they can get better.

“We just came up short. It’s some things that we can correct when we come back on Monday,” stated Terrell. “I felt like we played a tough physical game on both sides of the ball, including special teams but those mistakes can make you lose games.”

 

Positives

The defense only allowed 217 yards to Mahomes and also limited Travis Kelce to four catches for 30 yards. Like the other two games, this defense has been the backbone of this team. They have been able to keep the team close when the offense struggled.

Simmons fitting in with the secondary has become essential to their good start as a defense. His interception in the end zone to stall the long methodical drive by the Chiefs in the first quarter kept the momentum with the Falcons early on.

Cousins is looking more comfortable within the offense. His chemistry with his receivers is becoming more evident.

He connected with Drake London for six receptions and Darnell Mooney for eight. Kyle Pitts had two receptions, including a 59-yard reception that set up a one-yard touchdown run by Robinson.

Cousins also was able to become the fourth fastest quarterback to throw for 40,000 yards in 153 games, tying Dan Marino.

 

Negatives

Going 2-9 on third downs can cause you to be behind in games. That stat in itself is hard to swallow but when the third downs are third and long, it makes it harder to convert.

Head coach Raheem Morris pointed out the fact that being more effective on third down could have affected the Chiefs.

“We were 2-of-9 this week on third down, and we got to go out there and get better,” said Morris. “In order to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field, you’d like to be able to convert some of those.”

It’s easy to second guess decisions after you see they didn’t work but going for it on fourth down rather than kick a field goal with less than three minutes left in the game down by five can be a head scratcher.

Although Mahomes and company was getting a chance to seal it, the defense had pretty much slowed down the offense the entire game, including having a couple of timeouts left.

 

The Falcons start division play, with their next three opponents all from the division. Next week’s matchup is against the New Orleans Saints at home at 1:00 pm.