After starting the season poorly, the Falcons know that their playoff clock is ticking.
“With the sense of our record being 1-4 right now, playoffs hopes are slim,” defensive end Vic Beasley said. “But ... we are still in control of our own destiny. We have to go out there and perform.”
The Falcons face the Buccaneers (2-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons are in a big hole. Since 1978, only nine teams have started the season 1-4 and made the playoffs. No team has started 1-4 and made the Super Bowl.
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The Falcons are bracing for the return to the starting lineup of Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston. The Bucs are averaging 358 yards passing per game.
“We know that they can air it out,” Beasley said. “We know what type of player Jameis is and what he can do. We definitely have to get some pressure on him and try to distract him and get him off the spot. Try to get him to throw us a couple of picks hopefully.”
The Falcons have only eight sacks this season. Beasley, who has one sacks, knows the Falcons need to rush better against Winston.
“Our rush can definitely disrupt the game, even in our bigger man package, our base personnel,” Beasley said. “If we can get on and off blocks and recognize the play action, it will be beneficial for us.”
The Falcons have seen are trying to play without four starters on defense and one on offense. Beasley senses things are coming together. But there in a sense of urgency.
The units need to start playing well, right now. Not down the road.
“We’ve seen glimpses of it,” Beasley said. “(We’ve had) good performances from certain individuals who are new to defense and new to the offense. We are looking forward to bigger and better things. With this being a divisional game, it’s a big matchup for us and a very important game.”
The sense of urgency is real.
“We definitely need it to be there,” Beasley said. “This is a big divisional game.”
List of 1-4 teams that rebounded and made the playoffs since 1978 (modern era)
• 2015: Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans
• 2011: Denver Broncos
• 2004: Green Bay Packers
• 2002: N.Y. Jets, Tennessee Titans
• 1992: San Diego Chargers
• 1993: Houston Oilers
• 1983: Detroit Lions
