Atlanta Falcons desperately need Mike Davis to be better against the Jets

Mike Davis struggled last week against an underwhelming Washington defense. He certainly wasn’t helped by the Atlanta Falcons offensive line play, however, both Cordarrelle Patterson and Wayne Gallman managed to be productive behind the same offensive line.

One could also argue Davis was put in an unfair position of trying to win the game despite having struggled all game long. Why with the game on the line did Atlanta opt to put the ball in his hands three straight times? It is a decision I will never understand and one that made a bad game for Davis all the worse.

With week five here and Atlanta without two of their starting receivers, the Falcons badly need Davis to be able to put his struggles behind him.

Last season’s Mike Davis would help the Atlanta Falcons win this game

If Mike Davis were able to run with the same success he did last season on Sunday Atlanta wins this game. Sprinkling in Patterson and Gallman Atlanta can take advantage of a bad Jets roster despite being without their two starting receivers.

Mike Davis is a player Atlanta will expect to elevate his game not only with Ridley gone but in the coming weeks. So far his tenure with Atlanta has been a disappointment and leaves him as a potential surprise trade or cut candite if he doesn’t turn his season around.

How much worse could Gallman or Patterson be as the starting running back?  Davis is currently 49th averaging 3.1-yards-per-carry an ugly average that even a washed Adrian Peterson or Frank Gore could have surpassed. Davis should be approaching this game with a sense of urgency to prove he can still be a productive member of the offense.

If he fails to make an impact this week against the Jets without Ridley or Gage, when will he be able to help his team? It feels a lot like a now or never game for a running back who is quickly losing snaps to Patterson and Gallman.

Atlanta needs Mike Davis to be the player he was last season. Not the running back failing to make it past the line of scrimmage, if he is still that player in week five Atlanta is in trouble and should be looking for another option at the position.