How the Season is Shaping Up for the Atlanta Falcons at the Bye Week
The Falcons’ season has not gotten off to the start that people hoped. After seven games, their record is a whopping 1-7. From quarterback Matt Ryan, to Falcons’ coach Dan Quinn, to all of the defense, there have been major struggles. There have been major injuries including Keanu Neal, and at the age of 44, kicker Matt Bryant might just be too old to play in the NFL. Players like Julio Jones are holding in their frustration, and this year is looking like it will be a very negative turning point for the Falcons.
After taking the Falcons to the Super Bowl in 2017, Dan Quinn received a lot of praise. Nowadays, people want him fired after not being able to turn around the Falcons’ 1-5 record after the first 6 games. Players like Julio Jones have defended Quinn, saying things like, “it’s not on Q,” and even Falcons owner Arthur Blank has said that he “still support[s]” the Falcons coach. If the Falcons don’t pick up a few wins soon, it’s looking like it will be the end for Dan Quinn.
Matt Ryan’s season has been quite the roller coaster. From throwing five interceptions in the first two games, to throwing four touchdowns and 350+ passing yards in another game, saying that his season has been unpredictable is an understatement. From week three to week six (four games total), he was in the top three in the league for quarterbacks in passing yards, QB rating, touchdown to interception ratio, and total passing touchdowns. However, some people think Matt Ryan is to blame for the Falcons’ atrocious 1-7 record. Even when Ryan plays well, there are still struggles on the defensive side of the ball. Ryan has been one of the less problematic pieces of this Falcons team.
Too add another issue to the team, the injury curse has struck once again. After Keanu Neal tore his Achilles in week 3 (last season he tore his ACL at the start of the season), the defense has struggled. Punter and kicker Matt Bosher suffered a groin injury early in the season, resulting in the Falcons being forced to sign a new player. Recently, Matt Ryan suffered an ankle injury and has missed one game, Matt Schaub, a backup quarterback with little to no experience, started that game. There have also been a few role players forced to the sidelines with injuries. It’s looking like the rest of the season will be a very long road, once again.
Last year the Falcons went 7-9. This year it’ll be difficult to go 5-11. There is little hope left for this season, but it's not too early to look on to next year. Being in a bottom 3 spot in the league will give the Falcons a good pick in the draft which will boost the rebuild of the team. Along with draft picks from losing games, they’ve made trades including a trade of Mohamed Sanu for a second round draft pick. These draft picks are the future of the team, and the potential core for a good Falcons team in the years to come. Even though times are tough as a Falcons fan for now, things could be looking up in the next few years.
By Ellis Balser