A three-game winning streak had the Atlanta Falcons looking like they might be ready to compete for a spot among the NFL’s best teams.
However, a disappointing loss to the Seattle Seahawks showed they still haven’t figured out how to win consistently — a recurring issue in the franchise’s nearly 60-year history.
The Falcons (4-3) looked flat despite having every reason to be confident, suffering a 34-14 defeat at home to a Seattle team that was on a three-game losing streak.
It was a discouraging performance, to say the least.
“You can’t really put a finger on it,” first-year coach Raheem Morris said. “We did not come out with the energy that was required to win a football game.”
Atlanta never led against the Seahawks, who took control of the game with three turnovers in the fourth quarter, including a scoop-and-score touchdown from a fumble by quarterback Kirk Cousins that secured the win.
“It is hard to win a game in the National Football League, let alone three,” Morris said. “So, to be able to go out there and win four (in a row), it’s definitely something good teams do. We’ve got to figure out how to do it.”
One of the biggest plays came right at the end of the first half when Geno Smith connected with DK Metcalf on a 31-yard touchdown with just 4 seconds left, extending Seattle’s lead to 17-7.
Safety Justin Simmons took responsibility for a miscommunication that allowed Metcalf to get open down the middle of the field.
“It’s unacceptable,” Simmons said. “That can’t happen as … the last line of defense.”
However, fellow safety Jessie Bates emphasized that there’s no need to panic. While it was an unusual performance, the Falcons are still in a good position as they approach the halfway mark of the season.
