The Falcoholic Reacts: Bye Week Reflection

After using a couple of excessive emotional waves of thrilling wins and electrical offensive performances, the Falcons have crashed right down to a lonely crossroads the place they will go two methods. They will reply to the latest setbacks and stand up towards the intense lights of being a reputable playoff staff. They will additionally proceed spiraling downwards into the abyss that’s the NFC South, the place they’re solely a playoff staff purely due to the division’s ineptitude.

It’s been a troubling few weeks the place the offense has steadily beat themselves with expensive penalties and demanding self-inflicted errors on the worst doable groups. As they attempt to rediscover what made them flourish in October, the protection seems to show they’ve some degree of competency after trying overmatched in Denver. The priority ranges are very excessive in Atlanta. Lower than half of the fanbase is assured in regards to the staff’s path.

It’s a smart time to grade coaches because the bye week permits time to mirror on general performances. Raheem Morris’ return to Atlanta generated loads of enthusiasm. His robust means to attach with gamers, expertise studying 4 signature defensive schemes, and knack for making savvy changes made him a wonderful match to get Atlanta again to the playoffs. His willingness to go for it on most events has significantly benefitted the offense towards changing into one of many extra prolific items within the league.

Regardless of these positives, the defensive regression and up to date losses have followers conflicted about how you can price him. It’s troublesome to disregard two ugly losses that can stay recent going into December.

There isn’t any battle over assessing Jimmy Lake. The embattled defensive coordinator has struggled to search out options over a sluggish defensive entrance counting on growing older veterans, restricted linebackers, and a secondary with loads of star energy but hasn’t tailored nicely to enjoying Cowl 3 and different zone-heavy ideas.

It’s left a unit that appeared intriguing on paper as one of many worst items within the league. They will’t generate strain except Kaden Elliss twists or bursts into the B-gap. Opposing operating backs can discover lanes with relative ease to get downhill. Quarterbacks can discover constant high-percentage seems with out being disrupted. It’s arduous to search out any positives for what Lake has introduced together with his imaginative and prescient. A failing grade is justified.

Have you ever misplaced confidence within the Falcons in latest weeks? Does Raheem Morris deserve a greater grade? Can Jimmy Lake in some way finish the season with a passing grade? Tell us under within the remark part.