“Disappointed, not discouraged,” Atlanta coach Mike Smith said after the 30-12 loss at Chicago. “It’s a long season, it’s Week 1. We will work to get this fixed and we will get it fixed.”
It’s hard not to be discouraged if you’re a Falcons fan after another blowout loss against the NFC North.
Atlanta showed they have not learned enough after their 48-21 January beating. It’s not just that the Falcons lost, it’s the way they lost. The Bears hit them in the mouth all day and the offense seemed rattled and out of rhythm. Credit the Bears for forcing 3 turnovers and moving on from their own Green Bay Playoff disappointment, but the Falcons made it too easy for them.
Matt Ryan, despite a 319 yard passing day had no touchdowns, 1 interception and 1 fumble that was recovered by Brian Urlacher for a touchdown. As much as I and so many others want to believe he is ready to become an elite QB, “Matty Ice” continues to melt in heated situations.
Michael Turner had a 100 yard rushing day, Julio Jones had a respectable 5 catches for 71 yards in his rookie debut and Roddy White had a decent 8 receptions for 61 yards. Even Tony Gonzalez had 5 catches for 72 yards. None of them could find the end-zone or break the big play to generate momentum for Atlanta.
In typical big game Falcon fashion, there were solid individual numbers, but the team still lost by 18 points. If Atlanta ever wants to break through and become a consistent Championship caliber team, key road games like Week 1 can not be embarrassments like on Sunday. Last season, the Falcons lost in Week 1 at Pittsburgh with no Ben Roethlisberger, lost a pivotal Week 16 match-up vs. New Orleans and lost against Green Bay, previously mentioned, at home in the Playoffs.
The frustration for the Falcons is that they have the talent and coaching to be great, but they seem to lack the physical and mental toughness to win big games.
We’ll see if Atlanta can win a big game again this week as their ex-QB Michael Vick returns to The Georgia Dome.
Adversity introduces a team to itself; a national TV audience will watch the Falcons learn who they really are in 2011.