Nach einer weiteren schmerzhaften Niederlage in Arizona, der dritten in Folge, stehen die Atlanta Falcons am Scheideweg. Die Fragezeichen rund um dieses Falcons-Team haben angesichts der jüngsten Niederlagen zugenommen. Die Saisonbilanz steht mittlerweile bei 4-6.
Enttäuschung, Frustration, Rückschläge
Die ersten beiden Niederlagen gegen die Titans (Will Levis) und Vikings (Josh Dobbs) waren gegen Quarterbacks, die erstmals für ihre Franchise starteten. Die dritte erfolgte gegen einen Arizona-QB, Kyler Murray, der nach einer langfristigen ACL-Verletzung sein erstes Spiel seit fast einem Jahr bestritt. Angesichts der Verstärkung des Kaders mit talentierten Draft Picks und erfahrenen Free Agents für die Defensive vor der Saison sind die Erwartungen und damit auch der Druck, insbesondere für Head Coach Arthur Smith, gestiegen. Die teuren Puzzleteile passen jedoch noch nicht zusammen.
Same procedure as every year?
Rückblickend sind die Narben tiefer. Die Falcons haben sechs ihrer letzten acht Spiele in dieser Saison verloren. Unter Smith hatten die Falcons bereits in den Jahren 2021 und 2022 nach zehn Spielen eine identische Bilanz (4-6). Um eine Chance auf die Playoffs zu haben, die seit sechs Jahren nicht mehr erreicht wurden, müssen die Falcons die Saison stark beenden. In der Vergangenheit sind die Spielzeiten mit einer enttäuschenden 7-10-Bilanz unter Smith ausgeklungen. Realistisch betrachtet müssen die Falcons die kommenden sieben Spiele mit einer Bilanz von 5-2 abschließen, um überhaupt eine Chance auf die Playoffs zu haben.
Take a monochrome look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals during Week 10.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Demone Harris #91 arrives prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 hands off to running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 celebrates after running for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 throws a pass during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 rushes during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 looks on during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 looks to pass during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 and quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Derby #88 arrives prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah #1 arrives prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith #81 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 makes a tackle during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Scotty Miller #16 catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 returns an interception during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Micah Abernathy #29 warms up prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and safety Jessie Bates III #3 react during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 and running back Tyler Allgeier #25 on the sideline during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans cheer during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeMarcco Hellams #37 arrives prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Albert Huggins #94 reacts after a tackle during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21 lines up during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Players run out prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 hands off to running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Coin toss prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 celebrates with teammates after an interception during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 prior to the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt
Aber trotz dieses Absturzes ist noch nicht alles verloren. Die NFC South ist abgesehen von den schwächelnden Carolina Panthers weiterhin hart umkämpft. Die Bye-Week kommt zur rechten Zeit für die Falcons, die die Pause nutzen müssen, um alle Teile des Teams gründlich zu überprüfen. Der Spielplan schaut machbar aus, da sechs schlagbare Gegner warten, die zusammen eine Bilanz von 22-34 aufweisen. Diese Aufgaben sollten sie nicht nur aufgrund einer engen Division, sondern auch dank ihrer bisher makellosen Divisionsbilanz von 2-0 zuversichtlich angehen.
Regroup
Die bevorstehende Bye-Week bietet nicht nur eine wohlverdiente Pause, sondern zugleich eine Gelegenheit zum Nachdenken, Regenerieren und Neujustieren. Diese Phase ist entscheidend, da die Falcons in den kommenden Wochen gleich vier Divisionsspiele bestreiten werden. Die Zeit nach der Bye-Week verspricht spannende Begegnungen, darunter das Duell mit den alten Rivalen New Orleans Saints (5-5) zu Hause am Thanksgiving-Wochenende. Die zusätzliche Woche Zeit gibt Smith und Ryan Nielsen die Möglichkeit, neue Taktiken zu entwerfen und vorteilhafte Matchups zu suchen.
Quarterback-Question?
Dabei steht nicht nur die sportliche Entwicklung im Fokus, sondern auch die Frage, welcher Quarterback - der erfahrene Taylor Heinicke oder der vielversprechende Desmond Ridder - die Falcons demnächst führen wird. Heinicke verletzte sich in Arizona am Oberschenkel und Ridder sprang trotz der Niederlage mit Selbstvertrauen als Vertreter ein. Abhängig von der Schwere von Heinickes Oberschenkelverletzung könnte es sein, dass Ridder erneut den Vorzug bekommt, die Falcons nach der Bye-Week anzuführen.
Playoffs Baby
Beachtenswert ist, dass die Falcons seit sechs Jahren nicht mehr in den Playoffs waren. Es ist an der Zeit für das Team, sich nach der Bye-Week zu steigern und einen Lauf in Richtung Playoffs anzustreben.
Smith betonte: "Wir müssen eine Anpassung vornehmen. Wir haben noch sieben Spiele. Wir sind noch nicht aus dem Rennen. Wir werden alles Menschenmögliche tun, um unsere Arbeit zu verbessern und diese Division zu gewinnen. Das ist alles, was wir kontrollieren können."
RISE UP!
