Falcons Finish the Season 8-8

Well, it wasn’t how we wanted to end the season but it was good game to the end. Last Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons lost to their division-rival, the New Orleans Saints, 20-17 in both team’s season finale. While the Falcons may have ended their season 8-8, they still exceeded expectations made before the start of the season and look forward to improving for the next season.

What were the good things that happened?

-  Devonta Freeman finished the year as first to reach 1,000 yards since Michael Turner in 2012. Freeman had 24 carries for 81 yards breaking him for 1,061 yards and 11 touchdowns. He did fumble the ball in the red zone that killed an successful drive. Freeman's efforts in the ground game helped the team when there wasn't much support behind him, however, his fumble in the fourth quarter did hurt the team’s chances.  Also congrats to Devonta on earning a trip to the bowl for his outstanding breakout season.

-  Matt Ryan had a great game UNTIL his late-fourth quarter interception that virtually ended the game. I mean, he really had a great game besides a few overthrown balls and a critical mistake. He completed 24 on 36 attempts for 334 yards and two touchdowns. It would have been great to see Ryan come from behind and win the game but his decision-making has been questioned all season.

-  Julio Jones needed 246 receiving yards to break Calvin Johnson’s receiving yards record and though he stated that he didn't care about breaking it, he really put on a show. Jones had nine catches for 149 yards and looked completely unstoppable but he did drop a few balls here and there that were catchable balls. Still, Jones showed why he is the league’s best receiver.

- Vic Beasley dealt with injuries throughout the season, but did not use it as an excuse. Defensive line coach, Bryan Cox, admitted to misusing Beasley in the beginning of the season and he continues to impress despite showing up in the stat sheet. If there is anything to look forward to it should be Beasley progress into becoming a great pass-rusher.

What were the bad things?

- Andy Levitre was to supposed to help bring the offensive line to another level in both pass and run blocking, especially in Kyle Shanahan’s zone block scheme. But still it seems to me that he has been nothing but a liability to the team in term of his performance. He committed an unnecessary penalty close to the end of promising drive that really changed the game. I don’t expect the team to bring him back next year.

-  Mike Pearson is done. That’s all that needs to be said.

-  I love Paul Worrilow, but he's nothing more than a reserved player or part-time player. The entire linebacker core has been the Achilles heel of the team and you may see a change coming sooner than expected.

Outro:

After the game, Jonathan Babineaux was asked on how he felt about the season and Dan Quinn’s coaching philosophy. Babs in response gave an answered, “ With this staff that Quinn has I know that they'll win a super bowl soon”. I don't know how you would like to take that but it does add a little excitement for next year.