The Atlanta Falcons’ 2020-21 NFL season debut against the Seattle Seahawks was not a promising start. The Falcons fell behind the Seahawks with a final score of 38-25 on Sunday September 13th. This is not the lead that the Falcons want when making their comeback this season. The team will have to step it up if they want a chance at finally making it to the playoffs again.
Quarterback of the Seahawks Russell Wilson threw four touchdown passes leading the Seahawks to a victory. He was also able to carry the ball three times to receive a team-high of 29 rushing yards. The first 21 out of 35 plays were focused on throwing including some touchdown passes in the first quarter leading them 14-12 before halftime.
One of the most crucial plays in the game consisted of what looked to be a big stop from the Falcons putting the Seahawks fourth-and-5 at the Atlanta 38. What would have thought to be a short throw to receive the first down the team needed, Wilson instead launched a score worthy pass to wide receiver DK Metcalf who raised the score to 21-12. Falcons cornerback Isiah Oliver couldn’t make the stop to prevent this further lead, which can be worrisome for the team moving forward.
The Falcons outgained the Seahawks with 506 to 383 yards, with some of their top players accumulating more than 100 receiving yards including Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Russell Gage. Unfortunately Atlanta came up short every time when trying to convert on fourth down.
This was not the strong start the Falcons needed this year, especially when considering the dangling contract of coach Dan Quinn. He has been able to keep his coaching position despite the teams back-to-back losing seasons, but it is very likely that if he cannot at least lead the team to the playoffs this season then this might be the end to his coaching career with the Falcons.
What’s up next for the Falcons is a trip over to Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys. Atlanta’s strong offense including Matt Ryan, Jones, and Ridley will bring a great challenge to the Cowboys defense, especially since they are currently missing their linebacker Leighton Vander Esch due to a collarbone injury. This will be the first game the Cowboys play without starters Vander Esch and Blake Jarwin, due to a torn ACL. They are also playing without Cam Erving, and have already been playing without players La’el Collins and Sean Lee, leaving them short on both their offense and defense.
This brings hope to the Falcons for this upcoming game against the Cowboys on Sunday September 20th, in which both teams will be striving for their first win of the season. The Falcons will need to have their defense focused and ready in order to prevent the Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott, and talented wide receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and first-round pick CeeDee Lamb from scoring on them. Falcons fans can only hope that they turn this season around and come back as a new team rather than the same old team full of disappointments.
