Warning: Don’t Let These Atlanta Falcons Get Hot

Three weeks ago, the Atlanta Falcons were dead in the water. At 1-4, many had lost hope for the Falcons and the dream Super Bowl was all but gone.

The offensive line was so atrocious in pass protection that Matt Ryan had to have an MRI done on his foot. The Atlanta Falcons defense fell apart in what was already a horrible three-week period.

But a lot can change in four weeks.

After the Steelers game, I wrote that even though the Falcons were 1-4, they were about to hit the soft spot in their schedule and that all hope was not lost on the season.

Here we are going into Week Ten, and the Falcons are winners of three straight games.

What has changed?

The Offense has kept up their spectacular play but where the real credit goes is to the defense.

Although they allowed 29 points to the Buccaneers in Week six, the defense was very opportunistic forcing Jameis Winston to throw two interceptions.

In Week Seven, the defense held Saquon Barkley to 94 scrimmage yards.

Sunday, the resurgent Adrian Peterson was held to 33 scrimmage yards.

The defense has struggled since the injuries to Deion Jones, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, and no one should be surprised.

However, in Weeks six through nine their communication has gotten better, they’re containing key players, slowing down opposing offenses, and players including Damontae Kazee have stepped up.

We all know that the Falcons offense is terrific but if the defense could just play opportunistic and well enough, the Falcons have an excellent shot to win.

They have proved that during this winning streak.

The Atlanta Falcons have played themselves back into playoff contention and the defense is a major reason why.

With the offense clicking and the defense playing much better, the Falcons are getting hot at the right time.

That’s a scary sight for the rest of the NFC.