Atlanta Falcons: 5 reasons for 5-game losing streak

3. Inefficient Red Zone Play

According to TeamRankings.com, the Atlanta Falcons are a bit worse in red zone efficiency in 2015 than they were last season. Atlanta was actually one of the better teams in the NFL in red zone efficiency last season, scoring a touchdown on 61.36% of their red zone attempts, good enough for 6th in the NFL in 2014.

While the season-long percentage of the 2015 Atlanta Falcons doesn’t seem as bad in comparison (58.14%), this total puts the club at 13th in the NFL in red zone efficiency. The Falcons are actually worse at home (56.52%) than they are on the road (60.00%) in the red zone in 2015.

They’ve converted only 50% of their red zone attempts for touchdowns in the last three weeks and were only able to score one touchdown on their three red zone attempts at Tampa Bay on Sunday.

When you’re losing games by 10 points or less on a consistent basis, you have to look at red zone inefficiency as a primary reason for the constant losing. Seven points are infinitely better than three points. Getting four points less on at least 50% of the team’s red zone scoring attempts is a cause for concern, as the offense isn’t able to make plays when space in the defense grows rarer by the yard.

The Atlanta Falcons aren’t terrible in red zone efficiency, but this was a crucial part to the team’s success in the Dirk Koetter era of the offense and it clearly isn’t as strong under Kyle Shanahan. It’s understandable given the new offensive playbook, but this was an area that Atlanta has thrived in for most of the Matt Ryan era under center.

Next: 4. Questionable Play Calling