The Falcons are surviving a brutal start to the season, but it doesn’t get any easier

The Atlanta Falcons entered Thursday Night Football at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with only one goal in mind: victory.

Atlanta has tried to silence doubters after the start of the 2024 season, with many question marks surrounding its roster and coaching staff. From a surprise draft pick to uncertainty at quarterback, the team faced skepticism from analysts and fans alike.

In Week 5 of the NFL season, the Falcons are 3-2 after a dramatic overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But despite their track record, the season didn’t go smoothly. The road ahead looks challenging and questions remain as to how this team will fare as the season progresses.

Under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Raheem Morris, the Falcons have endured a season full of hope and uncertainty. Much of this uncertainty stems from their bold decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, even though they chose veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​with a four-year, $180 million contract. Cousins ​​has had an up-and-down start to the season, including a poor performance against the Steelers, raising questions about the team’s offensive consistency.

However, their performance against the Buccaneers in Week 5 changed history. A thrilling 36-30 overtime win on Thursday Night Football lifted the Falcons to the top of the NFC South standings with a 2-0 record in division play. Against the Bucs, Ironically, Cousins ​​broke Matt Ryan’s single-game passing record After throwing for 509 yards on the night, Ryan was inducted into the Falcons’ Ring of Honor.

The Falcons were more successful through the air, averaging 260.6 passing yards per game compared to their opponents’ 187.4 yards. Despite these strong passing numbers, Atlanta’s rushing game lagged, with just 96.8 yards per game compared to opponents’ 148.4 yards. This discrepancy highlights a persistent problem: The Falcons are struggling to maintain balance on offense.

Although the Falcons’ Week 5 win over the Buccaneers was crucial, it doesn’t get any easier from here.

After a favorable division game next week against the Panthers, Atlanta faces a tougher stretch of games in the future.

The games against the Seahawks, Commanders and Vikings are likely to be the biggest hurdles. Seattle has played strong defense under new head coach Mike MacDonald, while the undefeated Vikings, led by a resurgent Sam Darnold, look like one of the league’s best teams. Washington, meanwhile, was an offensive powerhouse, with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels surprising many with his performance.

The remaining schedule poses big questions for Kirk Cousins ​​and his offensive weapons, including running back Bijan Robinson, wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, and tight end Kyle Pitts. Can Cousins ​​continue to improve his game against tougher competition, or does Atlanta need to rethink its strategy?

On defense, the Falcons will rely heavily on stars like defensive end Grady Jarrett, cornerback AJ Terrell, safety Jessie Bates III and linebacker Matthew Judon to slow down some of the potent offenses they face. So far the defense has been solid but not spectacular, with 5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 3 interceptions in five games. They will need more power to keep up with their upcoming opponents.

While the Falcons are in a favorable position at the top of the NFC South right now, the road ahead doesn’t look easy. Atlanta’s inconsistencies in both the running game and defense could be exposed in the second half of the season. Ultimately, this next phase of play will reveal whether the Falcons are true contenders or just a team that benefited from an easier schedule earlier in the season.