Atlanta Falcons Lose 3rd Straight, 24-21 to Colts

The Atlanta Falcons let this must-win game at home slip away in the second half. Atlanta falls to the Indianapolis Colts 24-21 for their 3rd straight loss.

The Atlanta Falcons needed to win this game to keep a cushion on their second NFC Wild Card spot. After losing at home to the Indianapolis Colts 24-21 in Week 11, the Atlanta Falcons have now lost three straight games and four of five. Atlanta has a slight lead in the NFC Wild Card race at 6-4.

This was an ugly game between two teams that are not playing great football in recent weeks. Unfortunately, Atlanta Falcons played worse down the stretch than did the Indianapolis Colts.

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Atlanta led Indianapolis 14-7 at halftime, but four turnovers again did the Dirty Birds in. Rookie RB Tevin Coleman had a costly fumble in place the injured Devonta Freeman, who left the game in the first quarter with a concussion. However, Matt Ryan had three interceptions this afternoon, including arguably the worst pass of his NFL career.

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He threw an abysmal pick six deep in Atlanta Falcons’ territory. While Ryan supposedly targeted TE Jacob Tamme on that pass, it went straight to Indianapolis Colts LB D’Qwell Jackson who took the interception to the house to tie the game up at 21 points apiece. It was so shockingly bad that words won’t do justice to how horrid that pass was. It completely deflated the Georgia Dome and it was at that time, only a tie ball game.

The shame is that Atlanta forced three turnovers on defense, including two interceptions by starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who started in place of the injured Andrew Luck (lacerated kidney). This was another game where outside of costly turnovers, the Atlanta Falcons should have won this ball game.

Julio Jones had an outstanding game on offense, reeling in 9 catches for 160 yards. Leonard Hankerson had 4 catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. FB Patrick DiMarco had two touchdown receptions in this game and Atlanta was the better offensive team the entire game.

Even though Matt Ryan can tie Drew Brees’ record for most consecutive games of 250+ passing yards (he threw for 280 today), there isn’t a whole lotta love heading in Matty Ice’s direction with his Sunday performance. While the third pick was in garbage time on a last-second hail mary attempt, the two earlier interceptions cost the team the game.

Next: Atlanta Falcons Host 4-5 Indianapolis Colts Sans Luck

The Atlanta Falcons needed this win and disappointed massively in not getting it. They will host a strong Minnesota Vikings team next week, who lead the NFC North. With the Vikings and the Carolina Panthers on the schedule for three of the team’s final six games, that is why this was a must-win game for the Falcons. Typical Atlanta luck in blowing a must-win game. Atlanta Falcons, get it together.