Falcons find a new way to lose at home
With only fou games left and the Buccaneers breathing heavily down the Falcons’ necks in the division, the Falcons found a new way to lose a lead in the fourth quarter. After trailing 22-27, the Falcons put together a drive late in the fourth to go up 28-27, but Matt Ryan threw a questionable pass to tight end Austin Hooper (even though he wasn’t open) that Chiefs’ safety Eric Berry took back to the house for a pick-2 that gave the Chiefs the lead for good.
The Falcons have now lost every game in which they have failed to put up at least 31 points, and it makes you wonder if this team can compete in the playoffs without a competitive defense. They are pass rushing better than they have in years – Vic Beasley is the first 10+ sack producer in Atlanta since John Abraham in 2010 – but they can’t stop the run, they can’t stop the pass and our top cover corner (Desmond Trufant) is on injured reserve.
The offense is lethal – but on Sunday, they were the ones that lost the game giving the Chiefs nine points and the lead with the ball coming back their way.
Winning, the MVP is far less important than winning playoff games, but it has been interesting to hear the Matt Ryan MVP talks heat up. After this loss though, I don’t think Ryan stands a chance to get back into the conversation unless he absolutely lights up the scoreboard.
And it’s going to be hard to light up the scoreboard if Julio Jones isn’t healthy. Jones was torching the Chiefs in the first half, disappeared for a little while, then on the last drive spent more time on the sidelines than the field trying to get back in the game. The injury might not linger into next week, but the Falcons desperately need him healthy to hold onto this division lead.
The Buccaneers are now very much in the hunt for the playoffs after a handful of consecutive wins has them tied for the division lead. Remaining on the Falcons schedule are the Rams, 49ers, Panthers on a Saturday Christmas Eve and the Saints on New Year’s Day. The Falcons SHOULD go 4-0 to finish the season 11-5, but the Falcons haven’t necessarily done everything they should this season.
Remaining on the Buccaneers schedule are the Saints, at the Cowboys, at the Saints, and against the Panthers. There’s no doubt they have a much tougher schedule, especially facing Drew Brees and a potent Saints offense twice in three weeks. Not to mention they’ll play the best team in the league in between when they travel to Dallas.
The division lead is in the Falcons’ favor, they just need to take care of business. Even though they are currently tied, the division tie breakers are this:
Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
Strength of victory.
Strength of schedule.
Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best net points in common games.
Best net points in all games.
Best net touchdowns in all games.
Coin toss