On Sept. 18, Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones put on an pass-catching extravaganza.
He caught nine passes for a season-high 161 yards and two touchdowns to lead a 56-14 rout of Tampa Bay. After dropping a key pass late in the Falcons’ previous game, Oct. 26 against Detroit, Jones is on the hot seat as the Falcons attempt to stop their five-game losing streak.
“It’s just rhythm,” Jones said. “As far as the offensive side of the ball with us, it’s rhythm. We have to go out there with rhythm and keep hitting those plays.
“We were in a great rhythm when we first played them. I made several plays, but a lot of other guys stepped up and made plays as well in that game.”
Jones has spoken openly about the dropped pass and plans to move on.
“We just have to be positive here and keep working,” Jones said. “We are going to go out there and win all of these games. All eight games. We’re going to try and get them all. Yeah, it’s a two-game lead (by the Saints), but we are taking one game at a time. Our mindset is to win all eight.”
The Falcons believe that extra practice time at full speed will allow Jones to round back into form.
“All of us have been out there practicing every day,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “We know what we have to do. We’re going to get it done.”
The Bucs are giving up 285.3 yards passing per game, which ranks 31st in the NFL.
Jones has been a major thorn in the Bucs’ side. In five career games, Jones has 28 catches for 555 yards and five touchdowns against Tampa Bay.
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