Atlanta Falcons: 4 Observations from 49ers Loss

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi

The Atlanta Falcons have now lost their last two games to teams that have combined to win six games this season. This team that started 5-0 in 2015 has lost three of its last four games. What is going on?

There always seems to come a tough part of a team’s schedule. However, who would have thought the 2015 Atlanta Falcons would go 1-3 in their last four games (@New Orleans, @Tennessee, Tampa Bay, @San Francisco). Those are all sub-.500 teams entering Week 10. Atlanta needs to right the ship in their bye and they need to do it now.

The offense has looked like a world-beater only once this season (Week 4 vs. Houston). Dan Quinn’s pass rush is still in the Pacific Northwest apparently. Even OC Kyle Shanahan’s fail proof zone blocking scheme only got Devonta Freeman 12 yards on 12 carries Sunday.

Losing to the San Francisco 49ers has to humble this once proud team. Sure, injuries are piling up, but this is football and that is part of the sport. I’m starting to wonder if the 2015 Atlanta Falcons will ever come out of the gate again guns a-blazing? Playing from behind is something team is good at, but it’s not a habit I would want a team to gravitate towards.

Atlanta outscored San Francisco 3-0 in the second half. Unfortunately needed a touchdown instead of a field goal to beat Blaine Gabbert and the San Francisco 49ers. Not that Gabbert played poorly or anything, but a playoff team doesn’t lose to the worst offense in the NFL starting their backup who hasn’t played in over two years.

The spark that got the Atlanta Falcons to 5-0 is no longer there. At least New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, and Denver lost to ease the pain somewhat. Here are four takeaways I had from yesterday’s loss.

Next: The Running Game to Blame