ATL Standard

The Atlanta Falcons' recent loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football has been described as a reflection of their entire 2024 season. The game saw the Falcons start strong, taking a 17-7 lead into halftime. However, a crucial penalty on DeAngelo Malone in the third quarter shifted momentum in favor of Washington, who capitalized with two long drives that overshadowed Atlanta's efforts.

The Falcons showed resilience by tying the game at 24-all in the final minutes, reminiscent of earlier noise when they replaced Kirk Cousins with Michael Penix Jr. as quarterback and regained the NFC South lead after a Cowboys victory over the Buccaneers. Despite this late push, questionable clock management decisions and Washington's overtime drive sealed Atlanta's fate.

Currently, the Falcons find themselves needing both a win against the Panthers in Week 18 and a Tampa Bay loss to secure their postseason hopes. This situation highlights how fleeting momentum has been for them throughout this season.

"It's why the Falcons' loss to the Commanders Sunday night was a metaphorical microcosm of their entire season," said Tori McElhaney from Inside Tori's Notebook. "They had their moments... but as soon as momentum began swinging the other way? The proverbial wheels wobbled and fell off."

The team's struggle with maintaining momentum underscores an inconsistent performance pattern that has left them relying on external factors to continue their season.