If the Falcons can fix this one issue, they are likely playoff bound
Atlanta Falcons fans, if the Falcons can fix this one issue, they are likely playoff bound this season. But is Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn capable of resolving this issue through his leadership?
The Atlanta Falcons gave fans a disappointing reminder of past failings on Sunday afternoon, when they threw away a 17-0 halftime lead to ultimately lose 20-17 to the Miami Dolphins.
In scenes reminiscent of Super Bowl LI, the Falcons carved out a substantial lead only to throw it away with a lackluster performance in the second half.
One of the big contributing factors to the Falcons’ struggles has been discipline.
Heading into Week 6, the Falcons were actually one of the least penalised team in league with 26 penalties against for a total of 220 yards. However, the pertinent issue for the Falcons is the timeliness and costliness of the penalties they do commit.
In Week 1, we saw the Falcons grind out a win over the Chicago Bears, in no small part due to penalties committed by Falcons defensive back Robert Alford and Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley which extended drives and led to points on the board for the Bears.
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This was evident again against the Detroit Lions where a interference call in the endzone by Desmond Trufant nearly handed the Lions a victory.
Against the Dolphins, the Falcons gave an early glimpse of their demise at the end of the first half.
With the Dolphins on their own 36-yard line, a roughing the passer penalty by Falcons linebacker De’Vondre Campbell turned what would have been a 2nd and 15 into a 2nd and 5. The very next play saw Atlanta defensive end Takkarist McKinley gifted the Dolphins another 15 yards with an unnecessary roughness penalty.
At the conclusion of that drive, the Dolphins were well within field goal range when Falcons linebacker Deion Jones rectified the Campbell and McKinley penalties by intercepting Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler.
A neutral zone infraction by Atlanta defensive end Adrian Clayborn in the 3rd quarter gave the Dolphins a more manageable 3rd and 7, which was duly converted for a touchdown.
On the very next Dolphins’ drive, Alford committed a pass interference penalty for 26-yards on 3rd and 9. Two plays later, a momentum-shifting interception by Jones was nullified by a bone-headed roughing the passer penalty on Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
Jay Cutler threw a touchdown pass two plays later.
It is easy to identify a problem with a team, it is a whole different story to rectify it.
That is why Atlanta Head Coach Dan Quinn gets paid the money he does and it is time that he start earning that money.
Next: Why the Falcons collapse in the second half of games
He can start by addressing his team’s penalties, for doing so could prevent the Falcons from committing costly second half penalties, negated first half performances.