Despite Loss vs. Bengals, Falcons ‘Getting Better’ – and Still Ahead of Schedule

The Atlanta Falcons’ 35-17 street loss to the Cincinnati Bengals added only one digit to the loss column, however beneath the covers lay a recreation that wasn’t whilst shut because the 18-point margin suggests, and one other alternative gone to get above .500 for the primary time since 2017.

The Bengals outgained the Falcons 537 to 214.

The Bengals recorded 29 first downs to Atlanta’s 13.

The Bengals averaged 8.1 yards per play to Atlanta’s 4.8.

Regardless of the way it’s spun, Cincinnati dominated from begin to end. And but, for as disheartening as the competition proved to be for the Falcons, it is nonetheless only one recreation.

Atlanta fell to 3-4 on the season and stays winless in its final 12 possibilities to recover from .500. And but – as soon as once more – it is nonetheless only one recreation.

Practically as essential in the long term for the Falcons is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell 21-3 to the Carolina Panthers, led by interim coach Steve Wilks and backup quarterback PJ Walker. Thus, irrespective of how ugly Sunday’s affair in Cincinnati was, the Falcons will return residence nonetheless tied atop the division, with the Buccaneers feeling none the higher about themselves.

The Bucs are actually 1-4 of their final 5, the lone victory being over Atlanta, marred by the controversial roughing the passer name on Falcons defensive sort out Grady Jarrett.

The whole lot the Falcons got down to accomplish firstly of the season continues to be properly inside attain. By means of seven video games, Atlanta’s very a lot in competition to win the division and has been extra aggressive than most predicted.

The most effective half? Atlanta, which fields the second-youngest crew within the NFL, is continuous to ascend – and stays forward of schedule within the massive image.

“We’re getting higher week in and week out,” Jarrett stated. “Studying from our losses, studying from our shortcomings, however nonetheless a whole lot of optimism going ahead. We have got a bunch of men that imagine in one another a lot and know that our greatest soccer continues to be forward of us. We have simply bought to go get within the recreation and make it occur.”

The Falcons trailed 21-0 within the blink of an eye fixed Sunday however scored 17 factors within the second quarter to get momentum coming into halftime. Even with the entire struggles and eventual shortcoming, Atlanta’s march again highlighted the struggle its proven all 12 months.

The sport felt out of attain, however so did Week 2’s 31-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, when the Falcons trailed 28-3 late within the third quarter. So did the loss to Tampa Bay, which held a commanding 21-0 lead coming into the fourth quarter. And but, each occasions, the Falcons got here storming again.

Whereas Atlanta in the end could not get the ball rolling within the second half, it by no means felt just like the crew stop, which is shortly turning into a key a part of the budding identification being established by coach Arthur Smith.

“We’re nonetheless resilient as a bunch,” tight finish Kyle Pitts stated. “So, maintain combating each drive and do not quit. We’ll by no means quit all year long.”

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow proved to be an excessive amount of for Atlanta’s resiliency, throwing for 481 yards and three touchdowns whereas finishing 80 p.c of his passes.

It was a troublesome day for the Falcons’ secondary, which entered the competition already down corners Casey Hayward and Dee Alford and misplaced All-Professional nook A.J. Terrell to damage on the second defensive of the drive.

Nonetheless, the Falcons refuse to make excuses, and with a divisional matchup towards Carolina looming, are absolutely targeted on shifting on and getting a victory in entrance of the house crowd subsequent week.

“We’re severe about this crew, we’re severe about what we have got,” second-year security Richie Grant stated. “Each Sunday we’re going on the market and we’re simply attempting to place on the market for the 404. We have got to go 1-0 every week, and that is the mindset.”

After profitable three of the final 4 video games heading into Sunday, the Falcons had a giant wave of momentum carrying them ahead. Whereas the perspective leaving Paycor Stadium did not essentially mirror that very same power, Atlanta’s younger, feisty, aggressive group is solely targeted on making corrections and getting again to profitable.

In spite of everything, irrespective of how dangerous Sunday’s drubbing was, it was only one recreation – one horrible, horrible, no good, very dangerous recreation.

Nonetheless, after seven weeks, the Falcons sit tied atop the division and are persevering with to ascend, which is not half-bad for a 2-15 soccer crew.

You possibly can observe Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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