The Falcons are actually a decent team…surprisingly. The Atlanta Falcons proved they are one of the serious contenders in the NFC by knocking off the Green Bay Packers 25-24 and taking 1st place in the NFC South.
It’s about time the Falcons recovered from that 2016 Super Bowl loss.
Despite being written off by many prior to the season, the Atlanta Falcons have gotten off to a 2-0 start to their season as they defeated the Green Bay Packers 25-24 with a fantastic late-game comeback to prove they are contenders in the NFC. And, yes, this is somewhat said in jest.
Okay, I know some Falcons fans are going to be pissed off with me for saying the Falcons are “contenders” in the NFC when there’s only three actual great teams (49ers, Cowboys, Eagles) and the two other division winners who will have serious chances at reaching the NFC championship game, yet I know believe that one of those extra division winners will be the Atlanta Falcons.
I feel like it’s been an age since anyone could say that the Atlanta Falcons were a good, competent team, let alone one that could compete for the NFC South division title and perhaps reach a Super Bowl, and that actually has been the case given the Falcons have missed the playoffs in each of the last six seasons and have not reached an NFC Championship game since 2016.
And do I need to mention again that the last time the Falcons were in the Super Bowl was that hilarious 34-28 choke job in Super Bowl LI at the hands of the New England Patriots? Well, since I’m a Patriots fan, I feel contractually obligated to do so.
Regardless, it’s been a long time since the Falcons have been a good team with high expectations, and the way this game started out for Atlanta, I thought this was going to be another year of misery and disappointment. I know the Falcons started the season 1-0 with a 24-10 victory over the Panthers, but they couldn’t have started out this game against the Packers any worse than they did.
The first three quarters were pretty much a Green Bay route as Jordan Love (14/25, 151 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs), who didn’t have Aaron Jones or Christian Watson to rely on, exploded for 3 touchdowns and capitalized on a lot of poor, incompetent early Falcons drives.
And, truthfully, that really was most of the Green Bay offense those first three quarters as the Falcons defense, led by Jessie Bates III (3 tackles), Bud Dupree (1 tackle), Kaden Ellis (6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit), A.J. Terrell (3 tackles, 2 PD), and Grady Jarrett (3 tackles, 1 QB hit), ate up the Packers offense for 43 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 5 PD, 3 QB hits, they only allowed 84 total rushing yards, and just 224 total offensive yards.
Despite the Packers offense being banged up, this Falcons defense really surprised me with how ruthless, efficient, and fierce they are as they completely swallowed up Jordan Love and Green Bay when the game really mattered in the 4th quarter with the Packers only gaining 11 total yards.
Just 11 yards of offense. That’s crazy.
And, I’m sure every member of the Falcons defense and all the fans crowding in Mercedes-Benz Stadium were happy that after three dreadful quarters, the Falcons offense was FINALLY able to click in the 4th.
Desmond Ridder and Bijan Robinson, who looks like one of the Top-10 back in the NFL already, put on a clinic in the 4th as they helped Atlanta go on a 13-0 unanswered route over the Packers with Ridder completing 19/32 passes for 232 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT and Robinson rushing 19 times for 124 yards and for 6.5 yards/carry.
Despite having a decent frontline and linebacker core of Kenny Clark (6 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 QB hit), T.J. Slayton (4 tackles, 1 QB hit), Devonte Wyatt (3 tackles), Preston Smith (6 tackles, 1 QB hit), De’Vondre Campbell (14 tackles), Quay Walker (17 tackles, 1 PD, 1 QB hit), and Rasul Douglas (4 tackles, 2 PD, 1 INT), the Packers defense just simply couldn’t stop Robinson when it mattered on key 3rd and 4th down situations, while nor could they disrupt Ridder hitting up Drake London (6 REC, 67 yards, 1 TD) and Mack Hollins (3 REC, 60 yards) in the passing game.
Yes, the Packers defense played great with 91 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 4 PD, 6 QB hits, and 1 INT , but when their own offense could barely pick up a first down for the final 15 minutes as the opposing offense was racking up TDs and FGs, it makes it almost impossible to hold onto any lead.
And that’s exactly what happen with the Packers as they could not stop the Falcons from overcoming a 24-12 lead in just 15 minutes to win the game and go up 2-0 on the season, while the Packers dropped down to 1-1 and now are tied with the Lions for the NFC North division title.
This loss really isn’t TOO bad for the Packers as they are still in first place in the NFC North and it gave Jordan Love a taste of what a competent, fierce NFL defense actually looks like (the Bears are just a joke, so I’m not even going to go into them), yet it still must really sting to lose 25-24 after being up 24-12 to start off the 4th quarter. I’m still picking the Lions as my NFC North division favorite, but the Packers could really give them a challenge if they continue to play good, turnover-free football.
As for the Falcons, this win makes them serious contenders for the NFC South division title and actually favorites to be in the running for the NFC championship game. They obviously won’t be able to beat a 49ers, Cowboys, or Eagles if they reach the NFC championship game, but they could give them a good fight.
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