EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The sun did not shine Sunday on the Atlanta Falcons, and it hasn't done so much at all recently.
After losing to the New York Jets, the Falcons are now 4-8 with only one win in each of the past two months. Although they're not officially eliminated from contention, their playoff chances are essentially squashed. Even if they win their remaining five games, according to the New York Times’ simulator, they only have a 3% chance of making the postseason field.
"We got to play for pride," Falcons inside linebacker Kaden Elliss said.
The Falcons’ 27-24 loss featured botched opportunities in each phase of the game. Most notably on special teams, which had a muffed punt, missed field goal and allowed a massive return. When it mattered most, though, Atlanta's offense also went three-and-out twice in the fourth quarter, while its defense allowed a 15-play drive late in the fourth quarter that ended in a Jets touchdown to tie the game.
It was the third time this season – really in the last four games – Atlanta let a fourth-quarter lead slip through its grasp. The Falcons also did so in their back-to-back overtime losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers earlier this month. Atlanta lost those games by a combined nine points.
"Every game is close," Elliss said. "The ability to finish out those close games is really what separates teams. Everybody's got good players. Everybody's got good schemes. Everybody will have one or two blowouts either way. But what do you do in those 'I'm close' games? This year, it just hasn't gone our way just yet — we haven't made it go our way just yet. So, we gotta fight."
With the playoff odds as long as they are, the team has to find other things to fight for.
"Looking at the places that we need to be better on the field, and improving those areas over the next five weeks," Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "Third down today, again, was not as good as we want it to be. We would love to see in five weeks from now that it's something different."
The Falcons converted four of their 12 third-down attempts, a 33% conversion rate. That matches their season average, which ranks 29th in the NFL. For comparison, the Arizona Cardinals are first with a 49% conversion rate. Atlanta hasn't topped 40% on third down since Week 7.
Between Weeks 1-7, the Falcons were ninth (42%) in this statistical category, and the bigger concern on offense was their performance in the red zone. Weeks 8-13, though, they're last in the league with a 22% third-down rate. That happened just as the Falcons became the best red-zone offense in the league; they've scored touchdowns on 87.5% of their trips since Week 8, but have created fewer scoring opportunities. They now have Weeks 14-18 to re-flip that script.
Maybe that's what the Falcons can fight for: Specific goals that they want to accomplish before season's end.
"I think just taking pride in doing a good job," Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews said. "You never know what's going to happen. Just got to keep working and being a professional. Get your job done. Definitely frustrating, but expect a lot from ourselves."
As they should.
The Falcons were 3-2 before a five-game losing streak placed them to their current predicament. The sun once shone. It can again.
Or, at the very least, break through the dark clouds in the form of mini victories.
"We got the talent to be a great team," Falcons defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus said. "At the end of the day, those details are killing us right now. We gotta do better."
