Falcons 'What If?': Turning Points in Atlanta's Playoff-Less Season
The Atlanta Falcons' 17-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens marked the team's sixth loss in its last seven games ... and also ended all postseason hopes.
A once-promising season that included leading the NFC South at the halfway point spiraled out of control down the stretch, resulting in Atlanta's fifth consecutive playoff-less season.
Where did it all go wrong?
There are several answers, be it inconsistency at quarterback, key injuries or an inability to make the play late in close games.
Regardless of why, the reality is the Falcons were the first team eliminated from the playoffs in the NFL's worst division ... and some of these turning points are a big reason behind it.
Here are the top "what ifs" from Atlanta's season.
Week 1 vs. New Orleans Saints: Blown 16-Point Fourth Quarter Lead
Atlanta's 27-26 home loss to New Orleans feels like ages ago, but the impacts of that game continue to show up. Up 26-10 in the fourth quarter, the Falcons watched as their rivals scored 17 unanswered points to snatch away a season-opening victory in the closing seconds.
The Falcons would still be alive in the division race had they finished that game, and who knows where the season progresses had it started off on a higher note?
Nonetheless, as Falcons coach Arthur Smith looks to build the team his way, finishing should be at the forefront - and watching a lead that large slip away set a poor tone for the remainder of the season, with all but two of Atlanta's losses coming by one possession.
Week 5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Grady Jarrett's Roughing the Passer Penalty on Tom Brady
Atlanta traveled to Tampa Bay with a chance to accomplish three feats: jump over .500 for the first time since 2017, beat Brady for the first time ever and take return home with the lead of the NFC South. But after three quarters, none looked likely, as the Buccaneers led 21-0.
Over the next 12 minutes, the Falcons came roaring back, making it 21-15 with both the offense and defense rolling. Atlanta's defense quickly had Tampa Bay in a third down situation, and Brady's pass fell incomplete ... but a questionable pass interference call on Falcons corner A.J. Terrell extended the drive.
Still, no harm, no foul, as there was still time and Atlanta had plenty of timeouts. A few plays later, it was third down again, and Jarrett executed a textbook sack on Brady to give the Falcons the ball back ... except things didn't play out that way, as the referees called roughing the passer, effectively ending the contest.
Would the Falcons have scored with three minutes left and no timeouts? Who knows, but with momentum firmly behind them, Atlanta had a chance to accomplish everything it traveled to Tampa Bay to do - but had the opportunity taken away by something out of its control.
While the Falcons would eventually get to the lead of the South, that Sunday in Tampa Bay was a huge opportunity to make a statement and erasing a 21-point lead against Brady would help, if only slightly, erase past demons.
But it wasn't meant to be, and the loss served as a two-game swing that ultimately stuck with Atlanta for the remainder of the season, creating perhaps the biggest "what if?" of the year.
Week 9 vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Drake London, Ta'Quon Graham's Costly Fumbles
Trailing 14-10 early in the third quarter, the Falcons marched deep into Chargers territory ... but London fumbled at the six-yard line, with outside linebacker Khalil Mack ripping the ball from his hands. But ultimately, Atlanta rebounded, as the defense intercepted Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert three plays later and the offense scored on the ensuing drive.
Fast forward to inside of a minute to play, with Los Angeles driving inside the Atlanta 25-yard line. Seemingly just needing to take a knee and kick a field goal to win, the Chargers kept it on the ground and nearly paid a huge price, as running back Austin Ekeler had a fumble of his own, recovered and picked up by Graham ... who returned it 19 yards before fumbling it back to the visitors.
Herbert completed a 22-yard pass the play after, and the Chargers hit a game-winning field goal as time expired. The missed opportunity near the goal line when London fumbled and the brutal double-fumble sequence each loomed large in the 20-17 defeat, which kickstarted Atlanta's stretch of six losses in seven games.
Had the Falcons won, they would've gone above the elusive .500 mark and taken a two-game lead in the NFC South - but instead, suffered a frustrating home defeat in a game that they had plenty of chances to win.
Week 12 at Washington Commanders: Marcus Mariota's Goal Line Interception
The Falcons traveled to Washington with a 5-6 record and sitting just half a game out of the division lead, riding high after a narrow win over the Chicago Bears the week before.
Trailing 19-13 late in the fourth quarter, Mariota took his offense all the way down to the goal line, led by a big pass to receiver Olamide Zaccheaus and stout running attack. With just over a minute to play, Atlanta was at the Washington two-yard line ... and opted to run something of a read option with Mariota before throwing a quick pass underneath to running back Cordarrelle Patterson, which was tipped high into the air and intercepted by the Commanders.
What if the Falcons had kept the ball on the ground? What if the pass wasn't tipped? What if Atlanta had won that game, marking its second straight win and giving the team the division lead?
Instead, the Falcons walked off FedEx Field with a loss, and haven't won since, now finding themselves out of the playoffs and staring at another high draft pick.
Ultimately, Atlanta rarely looked the part of a playoff team - but with eight one-possession loss and an underwhelming division it, the consummate feeling surrounding this season can be summed up in two words: what if?
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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