NFL Panic Meter: 5 Teams Looking For The Reset Button

Atlanta Falcons

Current Record: 2-6

The NFL panic meter should be very high in Atlanta. After winning two of their first three games, the Falcons have lost five in a row. This is a team that is clearly going nowhere again this season, and their had been playoff expectations for the Falcons.

The Falcons currently rank 31st in total defense, and 28th in defensive yards per play. The defense has clearly been bad. The coaches haven’t been willing to bench the players most at fault in favor of the young players who have played well when they’ve been given the chance.

That include Kory Biermann who somehow leads all Atlanta defensive linemen in snaps played despite very poor play all season. All that playing time has come at the expense of Jonathan Massaquoi, who has been tremendously productive even though he’s been given less than half the number of snaps that Biermann has received.

Atlanta’s offense hasn’t played poorly, but it has still been disappointing given the stars on the roster on that side of the football. It is becoming clear that quarterback Matt Ryan is regressing as the offense moves away from his strengths as a passer.

Perhaps the worst thing about the Falcons is that it seems that head coach Mike Smith just isn’t able to get through to his team anymore.

Atlanta is a team that needs a new voice to bring a new energy to the locker room. They also need a coaching staff that will scheme to the strengths of their player, which is something that isn’t happening now.

It is time for Mike Smith to retire.

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