Atlanta Falcons fall out of playoff race in ugly loss to San Francisco

The Atlanta Falcons playoff hopes are all but over after an ugly 31-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Atlanta had chance after chance to keep themselves in this game and in true Atlanta style refused to take advantage of any of their opportunities.

The first possession of the game set the tone for Atlanta. The Falcons forced a turnover on the opening kick-off and had 1st and goal deep inside their five-yard line.  They turned the ball over on downs and were unable to take advantage.

Their inability to score the ball from inside their own five set the tone for the rest of the game. San Francisco gave Atlanta chance after chance and Atlanta found ways to fumble away every single one against an obviously superior team.

Matt Ryan continued to take far too many hits behind a paper mache Atlanta Falcons offensive line

Matt Ryan’s toughness is one of the few “positives” you can take away from this game. San Francisco continually hit Ryan driving him into the turf or knocking him down on what seemed to be every pass play.  Ryan continued to make throws and give his team a chance to climb back into what was their biggest game of the season.

Defensively Atlanta regressed against a very physical San Francisco offense allowing the 49ers to get anything they wanted and put this game away in the third quarter.

Russell Gage and Kyle Pitts were both bright spots for Atlanta racking up combined 168-receiving yards keeping the Atlanta offense moving. The Falcons were able to move the ball offensively consistently but unable to convert when they were inside the twenty.

Atlanta will turn their attention to attempting to find their first home win of the season against a suddenly frisky Detriot Lions team coming off of a big win. The Falcons are still not eliminated from playoff contention, however, they would need to go undefeated in their final three games and have a lot fall their way. In all likelihood, this was Atlanta’s last meaningful game of the season.

A game that came much later this year than in the last three seasons. Perhaps marginal progress but progress Atlanta can focus on as they start to look towards the off-season.