Following the Saints game, it was possible to feel good about this team. They were .500, they had just knocked off their biggest rival, and for all their flaws it was not hard to imagine them playing some fun football games over the back half of the season.
The last two games have destroyed those hopes in so many ways. The Falcons have completely fallen apart offensively, which fit nicely with their awful defensive effort last Sunday but was entirely out of step with their defensive effort against the Patriots. Atlanta’s going to spend the offseason adding talent on offense whether or not Ridley returns and they right the ship the rest of the way, but strides from the coaching staff are going to be hugely important as well after they were unable to come up with any answers for a depleted supporting cast in this one.