3 Observations for the Atlanta Falcons and Marcus Mariota in week 6
By Nick Halden
1. Marcus Mariota finally stopped turning the football over
This Atlanta Falcons offense has been consistently impressive all season despite Mariota’s consistent turnovers. Fans were given a glimpse of just how great the team can be when Mariota protects the football. For the first time, this season Marcus played the game cleanly protecting the football both scrambling and through the air.
Atlanta scored 21-points on a good defense and controlled the clock because of this. If Mariota can continue to simply play point guard and protect the football as he did on Sunday this Atlanta offense will put up points on anyone this season. Perhaps aside from the Eagles or Bills who have been considered the top of the league, it is hard to find a matchup that Atlanta isn’t going to give themselves a chance to win as long as Mariota protects the football.
Not only does this drastically change the outlook on the Atlanta offense but it ends any speculation as to Desmond Ridder being started in the next three weeks of the season. Mariota did exactly what he needed to on Sunday ending an ugly string of turnovers.