Falcons search for answers, drop to 1-4

by BigRegDaCommish | 4 years ago | 0 Comments

The Falcons have dropped to 1-4 on the season and they have 2 really big questions to answer:  Fixing the run defense and fixing Matt Ryan.

Let's address the defense 1st.  In the last two games versus the Giants and 49ers, the Falcons have allowed Breida and Barkley run for over 600 yards.  And this was at home.  Thank goodness, due to Covid, only a few fans were in the stands to witness it live.  Otherwise, there might have been a riot.  

In retrospect, maybe the Falcons counted on guys to step in and play that just wasn't ready.  They let DT T Davidson and LE D Fowler walk in free agency and plugged in younger guys. Those guys haven't gotten it done thus far.  So there may be a shake up on who plays and where.  A re-evaluation of talent and position will take place to maximize everyone's talents.

Now, to Matt Ryan.  Yes, he is getting older and skills are diminishing.   But that doesn't explain some of the bad decisions he has made with the ball.  He seems to be locking into receivers pre-snap instead of reading the coverage and finding the open man.  Last season, when he was runner up for NFC QB of the year, he made better decisions in leading the team to the playoffs.  

The Falcons are confident that they can turn things around.  Or at the very least, play more respectable and not let team launch out to huge leads before halftime.