The Atlanta Falcons made history in the wrong direction by losing back to back games after leading by fifteen points in the fourth quarter. Tonight they were thrust into prime time like a Monday night feast for the Green Bay Packers. The night ended the way it started, one team undefeated, and the other defeated and perhaps deflated. Officially the season has gone from bad to worse for the Falcons
The facts speak for themselves an understatement to say this talented team does not play up to their potential. They can’t figure out how to get from point A to B. The Green Bay Packers made it look easy running out to a 30-16 victory.
It wasn’t much of a game; Aaron Rodgers carved them up, and it wasn’t even Thanksgiving. While it is true, the Falcons limped into the game with a wounded back end, no safety Keanu Neal nor safety Ricardo Allen. To make matters worse, the replacement Demontae Kazee went down to injury as well. It’s tough to win in the NFL when you play with the back up to the backup. If it’s not true, it makes for a good excuse for Head Coach Dan Quinn as the temperature on his seat is warming up facing a 0-4 record.
Quinn was asked if he’s feeling the pressure after the team started 0-4:
“Yeah, I think so, but, you know, knowing where we’re at, it’s certainly not the start that any of us envisioned or wanted, and it’s confusing, it’s frustrating for everybody. But, I also told them, it’s the people inside the locker room that get to fix that and get to change that. Nothing’s been decided. Our division starts here. All our focus, all our energy just is on to Carolina. That’s how it has to be. And we can’t do things other than correct the mistakes and put all of our focus into this game. That’s our intent, and that’s what we’ll do.”
The Green Bay Packers were without some of their top weapons (WR) Davante Adams, (WR) Allen Lazard, and (TE) Marcedes Lewis, but they didn’t miss a beat. It was poetry in motion. On the other hand, the Falcons defense was out of position or just plain lost. It was so bad Jamal Carter tackled Robert Tonyan twenty yards from the endzone. He got up and caught a wide-open touchdown pass.
The highlight of the game was a Falcons’ drive that lasted 20 plays extending 94 yards and lasted 10:36; unfortunately, it ended with a successful field goal by Elliot Fry, promoted from the practice squad filling in for an injured Younhoe Koo.
Matt Ryan on whether this team can dig out of this hole:
“I believe so. I have been around a long time. Times can be tough; that is for sure. I’ve gone through some of those in my career. I also know that momentum can happen quickly, and the ability to rip off a few wins in a row is something that we are capable of doing. We have to get it started now, and we have to find a way to get it done this week.”
Aaron Rodgers performed splendidly, connecting on 27 of 33 passes for 327 yards and 4 touchdowns. Symbolic of the next man’s philosophy up undrafted (TE), Robert Tonyan had a career night catching three of those touchdown passes.
Julio Jones surpassed Roddy White to become the Falcons all-time leader in receptions, but he didn’t return from the locker room due to that ailing hamstring.
As bad as it sounds with a 0-4 record, there is a shining light. There are twelve more games, and conference play starts Sunday in Atlanta against rival the Carolina Panthers.
