The Atlanta Falcons have had some highs and lows through the first quarter of the season, and therefore, it’s only appropriate that they’re 2-2 after four games. The team has put together some impressive stretches on both offense and defense, however, Atlanta has lacked the consistency from week to week.
The Falcons have been at their best when they’ve played complementary football. During the team’s 22-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, Atlanta’s pass rush recorded six sacks while the running game was nearly unstoppable. The Falcons just haven’t been able to stack up these kinds of performances in consecutive games.
Advertisement
USA TODAY’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz gave the team a “C+” grade for the month of September, citing Atlanta’s 30-0 loss against the Carolina Panthers as a low point.
“When it comes to bombing a test, falling 30-0 to a division rival that last season set the NFL record for points allowed is real “see me after class” stuff,” wrote Middlehurst-Schwartz. “But the Falcons took their faceplant against the Carolina Panthers plenty seriously, firing wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard afterward while also moving offensive coordinator Zac Robinson from the booth to the sideline.”
Robinson’s move to the sideline paid off for the Falcons with a dominant offensive effort against the Washington Commanders. Middlehurst-Schwartz credited the team for making the necessary adjustments.
“The result was a bounceback effort that yielded 24 first downs against the Commanders and the kind of all-around excellence that was expected of a unit that looked to be on the brink of something special in Michael Penix Jr.’s first full season as a starter,” wrote Middlehurst-Schwartz. “It shouldn’t have taken a unit with this much talent so long to get going, but the trendline is at least pointed upward.”
Advertisement
The Falcons sit in the middle of the pack at 2-2, but their upcoming schedule is extremely tough. The team’s next two opponents — the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers — are a combined 8-1 this season. The Falcons have an extra week to prepare for their Monday night matchup against the Bills, and they will need to make the most of it to finally get back to the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: USA TODAY grades team after 4 games
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
