Why the Falcons collapse in the second half of games, blowing first half leads

Atlanta Falcons fans are well aware that their team is notorious for taking big first half leads into halftime and losing said leads in the second half. Question is, why does this happen?

There I was, enjoying my October 15th, 2017. The Atlanta Falcons had a seventeen point lead against the Miami Dolphins heading into the half.

I went outside to walk my two doggies, which is what I normally do during halftime. After the game, my wife and I had planned to go shopping for holiday decorations. We love the holiday season. Especially when we can enjoy the rest of our Sunday by celebrating a Falcons victory.

Atlanta Falcons were up 17-0. No need to worry.

It is funny, because as I was walking my dogs earlier today during halftime, I thought to myself how crazy it would be if the Miami Dolphins came back to win the game. Then I thought to myself how silly that seemed. The Falcons just had a bye week to recuperate from their first loss of the season and key injuries. There was no way they would blow a 17-0 lead and lose this game.

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But in the back of my mind, I knew we had been down this road before.

I recall all too well walking my doggies during halftime of Super Bowl LI and thinking to myself that I was about to witness my team win their first ever Super Bowl championship.

Then the second half happened and Atlanta lost the Super Bowl after having been up 28-3.

Then the second half happened and Atlanta lost to the Miami Dolphins after having been up 17-0.

Why?

Why do the Atlanta Falcons create first half leads and lose said leads in the second half? What is being said or done in the Atlanta Falcons locker room during halftime? Why does it appear that the Falcons team we see during the first half of games is not the same team we see during the second half of games?

Is there an actual reason for Atlanta’s second half meltdowns? If so, what is it and can it be fixed?

Fans have their opinion as to why the Falcons blow first half leads. In fact, 40% of fans polled by Blogging Dirty believe Falcons Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian is to blame for today’s second half collapse against the Dolphins.

On the other hand, 35% of fans polled believe that the Falcons players are to blame for today’s horrendous meltdown.

I am going to have to side with the 22% of fans who believe Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn should receive most of the blame for today’s collapse.

If you believe a Falcons coordinator is responsible for second half collapses, perhaps you should look at who placed the coordinator in their role. If you believe that players are to blame for blowing first half leads, maybe you want to look at the individual who has final roster approval.

Do not get me wrong, I love Coach Quinn. In fact, he wrote my wife and I a lovely message for our wedding. But he has lost control of his team in the second half of games and I point to the Super Bowl and today’s game as my two examples.

This is not something that should be swept under a rug or overlooked. This is not something that we should offer an excuse for (e.g. Falcons are adjusting to a new offensive coordinator).

The Atlanta Falcons suffered the worst collapse in sports history after blowing a 28-3 lead in Super Bowl LI. And today, they showed that they have still not fixed their now notorious habit of melting down after halftime.

This is on Coach Quinn and no one else.

Coach Quinn instilled the mantra “In Brotherhood” into the Falcons organization and fanbase.

I would like to suggest a new mantra. It’s called “In The Second Half”.

It means that everyone (coaches, players, and fans) agrees to up their performance in the second half of games.

All joking aside. Quinn needs to figure this out and quickly. Under his leadership, we have lost a Super Bowl lead and blew a seventeen point lead against a Jay Cutler led Dolphins team. Jay Cutler. Jay. Cutler.

The continental divide between Quinn being a great defensive coordinator and great head coach depends on him fixing his team’s second half slumps. He needs to figure out the answer to this problem.

My opinion, Quinn should assume defensive coordinator duties for the remainder of his time in Atlanta. The defense excelled after Quinn assumed play calling last season.

Secondly, regarding offense, if he is not already, Matt Ryan needs to take a greater command of the offense (via play calling).

Lastly, I do not care what it takes, run the ball. Figure it out. Don’t run sweeps to the outside, run right up the middle. Put your fullback in the game and let Falcons running back Devonta Freeman run right behind him. Do this over and over again. Especially after the Falcons have created a big lead.

Ok, that is my input. Second half collapses are Quinn’s fault. Quinn should take over defensive play calling, Falcons need to run the ball more, and Matt Ryan needs to assume more of the play calling, if he has not already.

Next: Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins Game Recap

What do you suggest the Falcons do to stop these second half collapses?

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