The Atlanta Falcons’ playoff hopes have become uncertain after a 31-25 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, leaving the team with a 3-6 record after ten weeks of play.
Recent games have been competitive, with the Falcons losing their last two matchups by only seven points combined. Wide receiver Drake London expressed frustration about the team’s current situation. “We just lost the game. I don’t feel great,” London said. “So, (we’ve) just got to get over this hump. Try to bring some wins and try to get that first one, so we start to dominate.”
London has been productive in recent games, recording nine catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns against the New England Patriots in Week 9, followed by six receptions for 104 yards and another touchdown versus the Colts. His four touchdown catches over these two games mark a career high and are the most by a Falcons player since Calvin Ridley’s four touchdowns in Atlanta’s first two games of the 2020 season.
Despite individual achievements, the team is on a four-game losing streak. Linebacker Kaden Elliss noted his disappointment: “It’s frustrating, you know,” Elliss said. “I know this is a very capable team — us. I know we’re talented. I know we’ve got coaches that work extremely hard and put good game plans together, and we got players that can go out and execute. But right now, it’s just not happening consistently enough. So, it stings. It hurts.”
The Falcons have secured victories against three teams that made the playoffs in 2024, including two conference championship contenders; however, their six losses have placed them in a difficult position with eight games remaining.
Statistical data shows that since 1933, only ten teams starting at 3-6 or worse have reached the postseason according to Stats Perform analysis. The Athletic’s latest NFL Playoff Simulator gives Atlanta about a five percent chance of making it to postseason play.
Head coach Raheem Morris has previous experience helping teams recover from slow starts—he was part of Los Angeles Rams’ staff when they rebounded from a similar record in 2023 to make the playoffs with a strong finish and was also on Washington’s coaching staff during their perfect run after starting 3-6 in 2012.
“We’ll be detailed. We’ll be sharp. We’ll practice,” Morris said regarding how his team will address its latest defeat. “The guys do the right thing like they always do. They’ll respond. We’ll find a way to win this game next week.”
Unlike those past comebacks which began following bye weeks in Week 10 for both Washington and Los Angeles, Atlanta already had its bye week earlier this season.
No single issue has been responsible for Atlanta’s struggles; early red-zone inefficiency has improved significantly since Week 8 as they moved from near-bottom rankings into being one of the league’s top units inside the red zone recently. However, third-down conversion rates have declined sharply—after ranking ninth through Week 7, Atlanta has posted league-worst numbers on third downs between Weeks 8 and 10.
“It’s something we’ve got to figure out — will figure out,” quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said. “Watch film, figure it out. But yeah, we’ve got to be better. And it starts with me.”
Elliss summarized where things stand: “We’re close,” he said.”But with six losses, we can’t be close anymore. It’s time to get over the hump and start stacking some wins.”
