The Falcons fell just shy of saving their season in a 34-33 loss to the Cardinals in Week 6.
This team continued to fight back but the Cardinals always seemed to have an answer. Matt Bryant’s missed extra point that would have tied the game in the fourth quarter ended up costing Atlanta on Sunday.
Here are four takeaways from a crushing Week 6 loss that drops the team to 1-5.
Defense started slow, finished slow
Kyler Murray completed 10 of his first 11 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. He’d finish the day throwing for 340 yards, three touchdowns and a passer rating of 128.2. Without Desmond Trufant and Keanu Neal, the secondary struggled. However, the unit wasn’t done any favors by the Falcons’ lack of a pass rush. The team would finish yet another game with zero defensive sacks — its third straight game without a sack. That’s not a problem when you’re winning, but when you’re losing it becomes one. Dan Quinn’s defense was awful on Sunday.
Offense wasn’t the problem
The Falcons came out firing for the second straight week, and for the second straight week, they were competitive. They passed to set up the run, allowing for Devonta Freeman to rush for 88 yards. Matt Ryan would throw for 356 passing yards, with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. When that’s not enough to win a game, there’s something seriously wrong with your defense.
Austin Hooper is playing at an elite level
If there’s a bright spot, it again is tight end Austin Hooper — who continues to eat in Dirk Koetter’s scheme. Hooper would catch eight balls for 117 yards and a score as he continues to be the team’s second-biggest weapon behind Julio Jones in 2019. Hooper is becoming a more consistent threat each week, and that’s helped him gain Matt Ryan’s trust.
Matt Bryant’s kick may have cost Dan Quinn his job
Matt Bryant is the last person to blame for Atlanta’s struggles in 2019, which needs to be acknowledged. Unfortunately, Bryant’s missed extra point in the fourth quarter may have cost the Falcons their last chance to salvage the season. Dan Quinn was already firmly on the hot seat entering Sunday’s game. Now at 1-5, Quinn may just end up losing his job depending on what Arthur Blank decides to do going forward.
