When a team has as many problems as the 2019 Falcons, some of them are bound to be overlooked. One issue that hasn’t been talked about much is the team’s lackluster performances at home this season.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is one of the premier venues in all of football. After a 3-8 start, with just one win at home way back in Week 2, the crowd hasn’t had much to cheer about lately.
In fact, the Falcons have not played well at their home stadium since it opened in 2017, winning just 10 of the 21 games they’ve played there. This season, they’ve lost four of five at home, and there’s been a certain lifelessness to this team when playing in Atlanta.
Fans have rightfully gotten fed up with the Falcons’ ugly starts and lack of competitiveness until garbage time, despite a roster that was expected to contend.
Adding to the frustration is that after Atlanta played two games of absolutely dominant, complementary football on the road, the team returned home in Week 12 and seemed to revert back to the dysfunctional group we saw prior to the bye week.
With the playoffs out of reach, there’s really nothing the team can do to salvage this season. However, the Falcons have an opportunity to sweep a hated division-rival in front of their home crowd on Thanksgiving.
Sure, a win would hurt the team’s draft position, but it would also hurt the Saints chances of getting a first-round bye. And no, it won’t make this season a success, that ship sailed weeks ago.
But a victory over New Orleans on Thursday with the world watching would give the fans something to feel good about, even if it’s just for one day.
It’s time for this Atlanta team to rise up.
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