The Atlanta Falcons narrowly fell in Week 1 against the Buccaneers, and the 23-20 loss continued a painful trend. Year after year we have seen the Dirty Birds find themselves in countless games where they’ve led in the fourth quarter or have been in position to win late, but faltered.
Closing out games has been Atlanta’s most damning trait over the past few seasons. Leads evaporate, momentum swings, and confidence drains the second the fourth quarter arrives. Against the Buccaneers, it was more of the same—and after ranking the Falcons’ 22nd in his most recent power rankings, Bleacher Report’s Kris Knox sees that as their biggest concern.