The Atlanta Falcons somehow found a new low on Sunday, getting shut out 16-0 by a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that didn't complete a single pass…The last time that happened was in 1974.
Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions, Atlanta managed just 99 rushing yards, and at this point, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees needs to start feeling some serious heat since the Falcons.
The frustrating part about Atlanta's offensive struggles is the amount of talent Rees has at his disposal… The Falcons have Bijan Robinson along with Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Michael Penix Jr.. They also have a solid offensive line led by Chris Lindstrom and Matt Bergeron.
Even the weather isn't a valid excuse for Tommy Rees' work with this Atlanta Falcons' offense
Sure, the conditions Sunday were awful. The rain made throwing the football extremely difficult, and Penix certainly didn't help matters by repeatedly putting the ball in danger. But little was done to get him in a rhythm even with the turnovers, which is because of the gameplan from the 34-year-old.
Let's remember Tampa Bay played in those exact same conditions. They recognized early that throwing the football wasn't going to work and leaned entirely on their rushing attack. Atlanta had Robinson in its backfield and couldn't manage a single point. That's a coaching problem.
And it becomes even harder to defend when you consider that Rees was specifically brought in to help Kevin Stefanski turn this offense around. Atlanta was supposed to offer Rees a better opportunity with more talent to work with. Eight games in, the results have been far too inconsistent.
It might be time for Tommy Rees to start facing some pressure in Atlanta
The annoying part is the Atlanta Falcons have been so inconsistent. One week, the Falcons look capable of beating a legitimate contender like San Francisco. The next, they're getting shut out by a Buccaneers team while their quarterback throws four interceptions.
Even worse, Atlanta's rushing attack has been trending in the wrong direction. For an offense built around the best running back on the face of the earth in Bijan Robinson, that's unacceptable.
Now firing Tommy Rees eight games into his first season would be a rash decision, especially considering the success Atlanta has shown at times and the work he's done with Michael Penix Jr. But putting some pressure on him shouldn't be controversial.
Stefanski has plenty of experience calling offensive plays himself, as does passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand and if Rees continues struggling to find answers, taking back those responsibilities (or even handing them off to Engstrand_ should absolutely be on the table.
The Falcons will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid on Sunday, giving Rees an immediate opportunity to prove that Tampa Bay was simply an awful afternoon rather in awful conditions than another sign of a much bigger issue. And hopefully a blip on the radar is all it turns out to be.
But with Atlanta sitting at 3-5 and its playoff hopes already taking a hit, there isn't much room left for performances like this. Tommy Rees was brought to Atlanta to help fix the offense.
If he can't consistently get results with the amount of talent he's working with, he's no different than Zac Robinson--and Kevin Stefanski may need to seriously consider if he's the right person calling the plays.
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