The Atlanta Falcons remaining within the thick of the NFC South image needs to be a supply of torment for the crew’s followers. Two weeks in the past they had been 6-6 and alone atop the division. Following an unpleasant 9-7 loss to the previously 1-12 Carolina Panthers, Atlanta is now 6-8 and a full recreation behind the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It was a moist, ugly, and empty afternoon in Charlotte–a lower than four-hour drive from Atlanta–on Sunday. Tickets had been promoting for as little as $0.45. A free ticket would have been too costly to take a seat outdoors, within the rain, and watch these two groups play horrible soccer.
The Falcons managed just one drive that didn’t finish in a turnover or punt. Desmond Ridder threw for 152 yards — 56 of which got here from a completion to Jonnu Smith late within the second quarter. They gained a complete of 204 yards on the day. Within the second half, the Falcons’ offense didn’t rating a degree and totaled 67 yards.
Additionally they turned the ball over on their ultimate two drives of the sport. Then, to place the ultimate stench on an extra-large turd sundae, the Falcons ended the sport by permitting arguably the worst offense within the league to march down the sector on a 17-play, 90-yard drive that sucked the final seven and a half minutes off the clock. The Panthers kicked the game-winning subject purpose as time expired.
For consecutive weeks, the Falcons have been pounded by a division rival. They put collectively a helluva comeback effort towards the Buccaneers in Week 14, scoring a mixed 15 factors on their first two drives of the fourth quarter. Sadly for them, they allowed the Bucs to attain after each the touchdowns. Sure, that hail mary being caught wanting the top zone was humorous Falcons folly, however the higher crew gained that recreation.
Tampa shouldn’t be a particular crew, however Carolina is placing up a season worthy of the No. 1 total decide. A decide the franchise is not going to have, as a result of it was traded to the Chicago Bears. The Panthers have misplaced by double digits seven occasions this season. If there was ever per week for the Falcons to make use of to maintain tempo for a division title, it was Week 15.
As an alternative, the Panthers improved to 2-12. That is the kind of loss that may drive a stake into the center of a season for a crew, apart from the truth that the Falcons can’t lose sufficient to get rid of themselves from playoff competition. Their final regular-season three video games are towards the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and Saints. Falcons followers mustn’t really feel assured in regards to the crew’s prospects, however the season is way from over.
For at the least yet one more week, the Falcons can be combating for his or her playoff lives. One other week during which the Falcons can drag their followers by the muck of faint postseason hope by advantage of enjoying within the worst division within the NFL.
Yet another alternative to maintain a season going that will be higher off being mercifully extinguished.
