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NFL Grades: Report card for each team after first quarter of 2018

By Randy Gurzi

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Running back Todd Gurley #30 and quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams enter the stadium through the tunnel area of their game against the Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Running back Todd Gurley #30 and quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams enter the stadium through the tunnel area of their game against the Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs after a catch for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs after a catch for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons (1-3): C

This season feels like it’s going to be a lost year for the Atlanta Falcons. Not all is their fault as injuries have destroyed their defense. First, starting safety Keanu Neal hurt his knee and went to the IR and then he was joined by Deion Jones, their stalwart middle linebacker who had to have foot surgery.

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Now, they’re in full-on shootout mode from here on out as these two men were the heart and soul of their defense. Yes, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is good as is defensive end Takkarist McKinley. But when the ball is in the air, it’s Jones and Neal who can lay the lumber and strike fear into offenses.

With them out, they’ve dropped to 1-3, with their most recent loss came at the hand of the Cincinnati Bengals. In this loss, the offense put up 36 points, but it wasn’t enough. The same happened the week prior when they scored 37 points but lost in overtime to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 43-37 in overtime.

Those point totals are why their grade comes in at average despite the record. They’re putting up points and the pick of Calvin Ridley in the 2018 NFL Draft looks brilliant. They can turn it around if they get some better defensive gameplans because this offense can score with anyone.

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