The Falcons are going to make changes in order to salvage the season.
Head coach Mike Smith said everything is “on the table” after the Falcons were tossed around the Georgia Dome by the Chicago Bears to drop to 2-4.
“I’m frustrated, discouraged and disappointed because I know that we can play a whole lot better than we’ve played,” said Smith on Monday.
Smith knows that the Falcons can’t stay on the path that they are on and have a chance to post a winning season even in the watered-down NFC South.
Here are some of the changes that need to be made:
1. Get Antone Smith the ball. Smith's five touchdowns this season have come on just 23 touches.
Against the Bears Smith trailed Steven Jackson (20 snaps) and Jacquizz Rodgers (17) in playing time. He had 11 snaps and rookie running back Devonta Freeman had 10 snaps. Smith had just two rushing attempts and four receptions, with four of those touches after halftime.
Rodgers and Freeman’s snaps should go Smith, with Jackson keeping most of his snaps to provide an inside running presence along with Smith. Mr. Inside (Jackson) and Mr. Outside (Smith).
“I know that everybody would like for him to have more carries,” Mike Smith said. “We’ll continue to try to get the ball in his hands.”
2. Jones Jones and White must step up. Julio Jones and Roddy White must help carry the offense.
Both had two drops against the Bears and Jones caught just four of 12 targets.
Jones is the 12th rated wide receiver in the league by Pro Football Focus. He has caught four passes for 68 yards against the Bears. He has caught 44 of 66 passes (66.7 percent) and has four drops this season.
White, who has been struggling this season, had two dropped passes against the Bears. He’s caught 19 of his 37 targeted passes (57.4 percent) and has four drops. He’s the 92nd rated wide receiver by Pro Football Focus.
“We feel like we’ve got the guys to do it, but the key to success is doing it,” Quarterback Matt Ryan said.
3. Scrap the Amoeba defense. The Falcons are running a multiple defensive front with the hopes of confusing the opposing quarterbacks, but they are confusing themselves.
The plan to play so many multiple defenses with a heavy rotation of players has backfired. The defense has routinely been gashed for more 400-plus yards.
New Orleans (472 yards), Cincinnati (472 yards), Tampa Bay (217 yards), Minnesota (558 yards), New York Giants (317 yards) and Chicago (478 yards).
The Falcons are giving up 419 yards per game, 31st in the league. Only Tampa Bay is giving up more at 422.8.
Teams have converted 39 of 83 third downs (47 percent), which is tied for 27th in the league.
Against the Bears, the Falcons gave up 231 yards on eight explosive plays.
“We’ve given up way too many explosive plays,” Smith said. “Is it the scheme or are we asking the guys to do too much? Is it their ability to execute the scheme?”
Dumb it down and let them play football.
4. Become Road Warriors. The Falcons have not played well on the road and have four straight games away from the Georgia Dome.
After playing at Baltimore, they face the Detroit Lions in London, followed by the bye week, at Tampa Bay and at Carolina.
The Falcons have not won a game in an outdoor stadium since No. 25, 2012 at Tampa Bay. Their only road victory in 2013 came against the Bills in Toronto with the roof closed at the Rogers Centre.
They are 0-3 on the road this season with losses to the Bengals, Vikings and Giants.
5. Finishing stronger. The Falcons have not been a strong finishing team this season.
They have been outscored 49-0 in the fourth quarter over the past four games.
“We know how to get it done,” center Peter Konz said. “We’ve been close, but we need to finish. That’s really what we are going to focus on is finishing.”
About the Author
