Three games into the season, the Atlanta Falcons have not looked good.
To say the team is struggling is an understatement. Yes, the team defeated the New York Giants Sunday 17-14. It was a feel good win and Younghoe Koo got his first game-winning kick, further proving he is among the league's best kickers, but everything before that was a mixed-bag.
The offense was again abysmal, but the defense took great strides against a bad Giants football team. Overall, Sunday had many low points offensively, but it was great to see the Falcons end its seven game losing streak, but the team needs a lot of work if it wants to be a contender in the NFC South.
The Falcons offense has been a mixed bag so far and it is frustrating to watch.
Falcon’s fans will agree, the lack of consistent use of rookie Kyle Pitts is extremely frustrating. There’s no reason why he should finish a game with two receptions for 35 yards. This is unacceptable for a player of his size and talent. Calvin Ridley is another weapon that has not been properly used so far. The play calling is frustrating, and Matt Ryan checking the ball down to Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson is annoying.
Patterson has proven to be the best weapon on offense so far, and is really the only guy on offense who is consistently used in a way that showcases his abilities. He is a great free agent singing and without him, this offense would’ve looked much worse.
With the talent on offense, it’s hard to think that this team won’t get it rolling eventually, but it may be too late by that time. Arthur Smith is a talented play caller, but it seems that Ryan, Ridley and the rest of offense will need some time before they can start rolling.
The defense has improved each week, but still needs a lot of work.
The defense for the Atlanta Falcons has been a weak point for the last decade now. It doesn’t’ seem like the defense is ever any good, with the exception of a rare season here or there. The defense in week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t look bad. The offense was horrendous and continued to make it hard on the Falcons defense. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 2, the defense did a great job after the first quarter of holding the explosive offense. Unfortunately, the offense, again, put the defense in a tough spot and Ryan threw two pick-sixes, which weren’t entirely his fault because the offensive line is bad.
Sunday against the Giants, the defense looked great for the most part, holding the Giants to two field goals in the red zone and 14 points total. The defense is the reason the Falcons won this game, and it is great to see a defense that is lacking talent at most positions come together to help the team win.
Looking at the schedule, the next two games against the Washington Football Team and the New York Jets. Both of these games are winnable for the Falcons, and it will be interesting to see how the team performs against teams at equal or lesser talent levels.
Through three games the team looks like a mixed bag, but the win Sunday should give the coaches, players, and fans at least somewhat of a positive outlook going into these next two games before the bye week.
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