Atlanta Falcons need to clean things up going forward
The Atlanta Falcons lost their 10th straight preseason game dating back to the 2017 NFL preseason. However, there is one statistic that is far more alarming than not winning preseason games in three seasons.
There is no denying that the Atlanta Falcons have one of the more talented rosters in the National Football League. There is also no denying that the Falcons have been one of the least penalized teams in the league under Dan Quinn.
However, the first two preseason games are trending in a much different direction than we have seen under Quinn.
Both in the Hall of Fame game versus the Broncos and this last contest versus the Dolphins, the Falcons were penalized a combined 24 times for just under 200 yards. Even Dan Quinn mentioned after today’s practice that things must be cleaned up moving forward.
#Falcons coach Dan Quinn said they had 12 penalties against the Dolphins, have “ a lot of work to do in that area.” pic.twitter.com/AkX7WavLyi
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) August 11, 2019
In 2018, the Falcons only racked up double digit penalties three times; Week 1 versus the Eagles (15), Week 4 versus the Bengals (10) and Week 14 versus the Packers (11). In 2017, the Falcons only had one game in which they accumulated at least 10 penalties and that was Week 16 against the Saints in New Orleans.
During their Super Bowl run in 2016, the Atlanta Falcons did not record one single game of double-digit penalties at all during the regular season and playoff run.
Next. Winners & losers so far this preseason for Atlanta Falcons. dark
Yes, the Falcons regulars have not played much these first two weeks, however, there have been plenty of guys taking snaps that will play and they need to learn quickly how to play within the confines of the game in order to not negate turnovers. How many times over the last couple of seasons have penalties negated a big turnover that would turned momentum in favor of the Falcons? Too many to count.