The Atlanta Falcons looked like playoff contenders in the beginning of the season, but an awful losing streak has nearly ended what was looking like a great 2015 season.
After winning their first five games of the season, the Falcons have lost seven of their last eight games and are currently on a six-game losing streak. The only reason why the Falcons aren’t on an eight-game losing is because they got to play the Tennessee Titans. Even in the win against the Titans, the Falcons did not play well, as they won by a score of 10-7, in a game that Marcus Mariota didn’t play in.
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A big part of the reason for the Falcons’ struggles has been on the offensive side of the ball surprisingly. In the first five games of the season, the Falcons averaged 32.4 points per game, which is going to make it very difficult to lose games.
Since the winning streak to start the season, the Falcons are averaging just 14.6 points per game, with their last game being the icing on the cake, as they were shutout by the Carolina Panthers.
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The Falcons don’t have to look much further than their quarterback for why their offense has been struggling since the hot start. In the last eight games, Ryan has thrown an interception in six of them, which includes three games with multiple interceptions.
In 2015, Ryan’s numbers don’t look like ones you would expect from him as he has totaled 17 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions, and 3,705 passing yards. The turnovers have been a huge issue for the Falcons so far this season, as it is hard to win the game when you are turning the ball over multiple times. In addition to the eight interceptions, Ryan has also fumbled the ball eight times, as ball security has not been a strength this season.
Despite the six-game losing streak, the Falcons are currently the seventh seed in the NFC behind the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings for the two wild card positions. It will be unlikely for the Falcons to make the playoffs at this point, but they have to focus on breaking this horrible losing streak.
In Week 15, the Falcons will be playing the 5-8 Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in a game that could potentially be the one to finally end the streak. The Jaguars are starting to play better football this season with an emerging young quarterback in Blake Bortles, who is leading one of the most entertaining offense’s in the NFL.
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The Jaguars are coming off of a 51-point performance against the Indianapolis Colts, as they will certainly be coming into the game with a lot of confidence. Although the Jaguars’ offense looks like they are going to be a very good group moving forward, their defense is still very vulnerable.
In 2015, the Jaguars are tied for second to last in the NFL in points allowed per game, as teams are averaging 27.5 points against the Jaguars. The Falcons have been stuck in a major rut offensively, but if they are ever going to turn it around, the defense to do it against is the Jaguars.
A loss to the Jaguars will end the Falcons’ season, but a win could keep their slim playoff hopes alive.