The Atlanta Falcons dropped their eighth game of the season on Sunday, a 21-16 loss to the New Orleans Saints that made the team’s minimal playoff chances even slimmer.
The Atlanta Falcons dropped their eighth game of the season on Sunday, a 21-16 loss to the New Orleans Saints that made the team’s minimal playoff chances even slimmer. It wasn’t as bad as the Falcons’ loss in New Orleans two weeks ago, and they had a realistic shot to win at the end.
But there’s little to feel good about after another woeful offensive performance from a team ripe with play-makers.
Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris didn’t point fingers after the game, even when pressed on whether or not he still has confidence in offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
“You know, I’m very confident in our team, just in general,” Morris responded when asked directly about Koetter. “You’ll never separate anybody when talking about team.”
Watch Morris’ postgame press conference below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account.
Despite making things interesting in the final few minutes, the Falcons once again fell short when it mattered most during Sunday’s 21-16 loss to the Saints.
Despite making things interesting in the final few minutes, the Falcons once again fell short when it mattered most during Sunday’s 21-16 loss to the Saints.
Following an all-around abysmal performance, fans on Twitter made it known where the blame should land. Here are the best reactions to Atlanta’s Week 13 matchup against New Orleans.
Dirk called 3 straight runs as if all we needed was a FG lmao What a fraud.
Can't ignore the fact that Todd Gurley's lack of situational awareness has cost the Falcons twice this season. Obviously, there is a lot that went to the losses against Detroit and New Orleans. The mistakes he made in both games are as brutal as it gets. #NOvsATL
The Falcons had 1 second left in the clock… what kinda rule is that where the clock has to show 2+ seconds left on the clock in order for you to put the 1 second left…? That’s the most BS I’ve ever heard lol
Even though they were thoroughly outplayed for three quarters, the Falcons should have pulled off the upset. So many missed opportunities on third down and in the red zone. This one will definitely sting across the organization. They should have delivered in the end. #NOvsATL
This is hopefully the game that seals the fate of the entire coaching staff. Don't bring a single one of them back in any capacity moving forward. They've embarrassed this franchise enough.
Let’s quickly recap the Falcons’ offensive, defensive and special teams performances from Sunday’s game.
The Atlanta Falcons settled for field goals early in their Week 13 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, and it would cost them late. After managing just three field goals through the first three-and-a-half quarters, the Falcons got things going in the final minutes. Atlanta would come up just short, though, suffering a 21-16 loss to the team’s most-hated division rival.
Let’s quickly recap the Falcons’ offensive, defensive and special teams performances from Sunday’s game.
OFFENSE
Offensively, the Falcons’ play-calling and route concepts left much to be desired. The heat is on offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter after a maddening performance. Atlanta’s red-zone struggles continued, and the teamed settled for three field goals entering the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Matt Ryan was not effective against the Saints, completing less than half of his passes. Ryan went 19-for-39, with 273 passing yards, a touchdown and a fumble.The Falcons didn’t get much production out of the running game, but the pass protection was much better than it was two weeks ago.
Todd Gurley started but wasn’t involved much until a few negative runs in the fourth quarter. Ito Smith led all rushers with eight attempts for 36 yards. Julio Jones had six catches for 94 yards, while Calvin Ridley caught five balls for 108 yards.
DEFENSE
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons struggled to slow down the Saints’ offense and QB Taysom Hill in the first half. After giving up an early touchdown, Atlanta slowed Hill until late in the second quarter when he threw his second career touchdown pass.
If the Falcons had been able to get off the field on third down, it would have been a different game. Even with a shaky performance against Hill, the defense’s problems stemmed from Atlanta’s inability to maintain possession of the football. A sack-fumble in the fourth quarter recovered by LB Deion Jones kept the Falcons alive, down two scores with ten minutes left in the game.
Minutes later, the defense came up with a big third-down stop to give Atlanta one final chance. But the offense couldn’t capitalize on it. Linebacker Foye Oluokun led the team with 13 tackles. Defensive end Steven Means had two sacks and a forced fumble during Sunday’s loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo remains the most valuable offensive player this season. Koo knocked down three field goals in the first half to keep Atlanta in the game, while Saints kicker Will Lutz missed his first-half attempt.
Rookie punter Sterling Hofrichter had averaged 43.6 yards on five attempts.
The Atlanta Falcons are showing signs of life in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
The Atlanta Falcons are showing signs of life in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints. After trailing by 12 at the start of the quarter, a forced fumble gave the ball back to the Falcons’ offense.
Quarterback Matt Ryan found wide receiver Russell for a 10-yard touchdown pass to cut the Saints’ lead to five points. Watch below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account.
Falcons defensive end Jacob Tuioti-Mariner has exited Sunday’s NFC South matchup against the Saints with an apparent head/neck injury.
Falcons defensive end Jacob Tuioti-Mariner has exited Sunday’s NFC South matchup against the Saints with an apparent head/neck injury. His return is questionable, per team reporter William McFadden.
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, reigning DPOW, is questionable to return with a head/neck injury.
As the Falcons have closed the game to within five, we will see how losing Tuioti-Mariner, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, affects the defense going forward. The Saints lead 21-16 midway through the fourth quarter.
Falcons safety Ricardo Allen has exited in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Saints with an apparent head injury.
Falcons safety Ricardo Allen has exited in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Saints with an apparent head injury. Backup Sharrod Neasman has stepped in as a replacement with about eight minutes remaining in the game.
Allen’s return is questionable, per team reporter Kelsey Conway below Tweet.
Safety Ricardo Allen is being evaluated for a possible head injury and his return is questionable
At the time of Allen’s exit, the Falcons trailed New Orleans 21-9 in the fourth quarter. Atlanta has since driven into scoring position after forcing a fumble.
All-Pro WR Julio Jones was able to suit up after being listed as questionable on this week’s injury report.
The Falcons trail, 14-6, to the New Orleans Saints as the first half winds down. All-Pro WR Julio Jones was able to suit up after being listed as questionable on this week’s injury report.
Jones burned Saints DB P.J. Williams for a 35-yard reception in the second quarter, which led to a Younghoe Koo field goal. Watch below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account.
The Atlanta Falcons are having trouble slowing down Saints quarterback Taysom Hill in the first quarter of Sunday’s matchup, but defensive end Steven Means was an exception.
The Atlanta Falcons are having trouble slowing down Saints quarterback Taysom Hill in the first quarter of Sunday’s matchup, but defensive end Steven Means was an exception.
Watch as Means beats his man up the middle to take down Hill for a sack, courtesy of the Falcons’ Twitter account below.
On the Atlanta Falcons’ Friday injury report, RB Todd Gurley and WR Julio Jones were listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
The Falcons got some good news on their game-day inactives list, though, as both Gurley and Jones are active for today’s NFC South matchup. Here’s the full list, as shared by the team’s Twitter account below.
Julio Jones, Todd Gurley, Kendall Sheffield and Dante Fowler will all play today.
The Atlanta Falcons listed both wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Todd Gurley as questionable for this weekend’s NFC South matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team is expecting the two former All-Pro players to suit up in Sunday’s game.
Falcons’ WR Julio Jones (hamstring) and RB Todd Gurley (knee), both listed as questionable for Sunday, both are expected to play vs. Saints barring any pre-game setbacks, per source.
Jones has been out since re-aggravating his hamstring injury during the Falcons’ first meeting with the Saints in Week 11. Gurley also missed last weekend’s win over the Raiders with a knee injury.
In eight games this season, Jones has 45 catches for 677 yards and three touchdowns, with a 15-yard average per reception. Gurley, who signed with the Falcons during the offseason, has appeared in 10 games, rushing for 610 yards and nine touchdowns.
