ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons concluded the NFL season with a bittersweet victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 18, securing a four-game winning streak – their longest since . However, despite finishing with an 8-9 record and tied for the top spot in the NFC South, the Falcons were ultimately eliminated from postseason contention a month prior. The win, while encouraging on the surface, couldn’t mask the underlying frustration of a season that fell short of expectations.
Head coach Raheem Morris acknowledged the near miss, stating, One game would have made a difference with everybody being 8-9 in our division. If you had one game out there that we could have won, that would have made the difference.
The sentiment underscored the razor-thin margin between a playoff berth and another season of rebuilding for the Falcons.
The future of both Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot remains uncertain, with no formal decisions announced as of yet. Morris, however, expressed his expectation of returning to coach the team in , stating, This is a business… Those decisions are always made at the proper time. Those decisions will all be made for whatever’s best for the Falcons.
The level of confidence ownership has in Morris remains to be seen, but the locker room appears to be firmly behind him.
Safety Jessie Bates was particularly vocal in his support, saying after the Saints game, I’m behind Rah. He hasn’t changed throughout this whole year. He’s the same guy every single day. We went to bat for him for a reason. We finished the season for a reason – for each other, for coaches, players, and everybody involved.
This resounding endorsement from a key player suggests a degree of stability within the organization, despite the disappointing overall result.
The loss to the Carolina Panthers, a resounding 30-0 defeat, served as a particularly low point in the season. The game left both fans and players searching for answers, especially regarding the team’s offensive identity. According to reports following the game, players were surprised by the extent of the defeat. Bijan Robinson commented, I was surprised, man….
This suggests a disconnect between the team’s preparation and their on-field performance, raising questions about coaching and player readiness.
The loss to Carolina prompted a critical assessment of the team’s preparation and focus. Jacob L. From Ringgold, Georgia, voiced a common fan sentiment, questioning whether the team loses focus after a win, stating, Team looked lifeless and unprepared. This has been a recurring issue during the Raheem Morris era, dating back to multiple games in where our guys haven’t even looked competitive (Seattle, New Orleans, Denver).
This highlights a pattern of inconsistency that has plagued the Falcons under Morris, raising concerns about their ability to maintain a competitive edge.
Raheem Morris himself acknowledged shortcomings, stating, We got outcoached. We got outplayed
following the Panthers loss. This self-assessment, while direct, doesn’t offer specific solutions to the team’s struggles. The upcoming schedule – featuring games against the Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers – will provide a significant test of the team’s ability to rebound and address its weaknesses.
The Falcons’ current situation is further complicated by their 4-8 record at one point in the season, losing six of their last seven games. This stretch of poor performance fueled speculation about Morris’s future, not just among fans but potentially within the locker room itself. However, reports indicate that a coaching change is not currently imminent, despite the growing pressure.
While the focus remains on football, the Atlanta sports landscape is also navigating developments in baseball. Reports indicate discussions surrounding the Braves’ team options for both Chris Sale and Ozzie Albies. This highlights the broader context of team building and strategic decisions across Atlanta’s professional sports franchises.
The Falcons’ finish to the season, despite ultimately falling short of the playoffs, demonstrated a resilience and unity within the locker room. The players’ unwavering support for Morris suggests a strong team culture, which could be a valuable asset as the team looks to build towards a more successful campaign. However, significant questions remain about the team’s offensive identity, consistency, and overall competitiveness, leaving the future of the franchise hanging in the balance.
