Week 5 Initial Reactions: Texans QB Deshaun Watson shreds Falcons defense in another humbling Atlanta loss

Managing editor Dave Holcomb showcases his immediate reactions following the Atlanta Falcons losing to the Houston Texans in Week 5.

The Atlanta Falcons returned to NRG Stadium in Houston for the first time since blowing their 25-point lead in Super Bowl LI. The Falcons would probably rather not return again any time soon.

That's because Atlanta was embarrassed once again, giving up 36 second-half points on the way to losing 53-32. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson averaged almost 13 yards per pass in a humiliating defeat. 

The defeat drops the Falcons to 1-4 this season.

A lot of what plagued Atlanta in the first quarter of the season was again a problem Sunday. While the Falcons didn't start slowly, they began the second half with quite a bit less urgency than the Texans, who scored touchdowns on each of their three third-quarter possessions.

The Atlanta defense couldn't stop anything Sunday, as they allowed 592 total yards. Watson finished with 426 passing yards and five touchdowns. He had as many incompletions as touchdown passes.

That alone is probably enough to get someone fired on the Falcons defensive staff, but just as disappoint was the fact they again failed to record a takeaway or sack. The Falcons did recover a fumble, but that was on special teams.

Three weeks in a row against AFC South opponents, Atlanta's defense has made opposing quarterbacks look like All-Pros. Granted, Watson is a great signal caller, but Jacoby Brissett and Marcus Mariota have struggled a lot this season and yet looked great against the Falcons defense.

The Falcons held DeAndre Hopkins to 88 receiving yards and no touchdowns, but Will Fuller was open all day, recording 217 yards and three scores.

Atlanta will travel to face the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.