Starting slow, ending slower…
While it is important to realise that not a lot can be taken from preseason, fans want to at least be given some hope.
Instead, the Atlanta Falcons – who had their doubters going into this preseason – leave with even more of them.
Three matches, three defeats and zero snaps for Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London.
They opened against the Detroit Lions and could not find rhythm, falling 17-10.
With over 140 throwing yards and one touchdown, quarterback Easton Stick had sparks.
Stick, however, would only take a snap this season amid a crisis.
And although it held strong in patches and forced two turnovers, the defense never seemed at ease.
Let’s break it all down.
Quarterback chaos
No Kirk Cousins. No Michael Penix Jr.
During the preseason, Raheem Morris made the decision to keep his best players off the pitch – completely normal practice.
The majority of the labour was done by Stick, who appeared sharp at times.
However, the quarterback depth is suddenly extremely weak, as back-up Emory Jones was injured against the Tennessee Titans.
That Tennessee defeat? A vicious Pick-Six secured the score at 23-20.
The Falcons will hope to be getting games like this out of their system before the campaign starts.
Final tune-up or final warning?
To put it in no uncertain terms, the Falcons were totally destroyed by the Dallas Cowboys.
They gave up 31 points, while the offense barely scratched together 13.
Special teams’ 41-yard explosion from Elijah Dotson gave fans something to celebrate.
Nevertheless, the disparity between execution and physicality was clear.
The youth movement is here
Morgan Fox being cut is a clear indication that this organisation is placing a high value on young players, although most people figured that was the plan anyway.
Jovaughn Gwyn leapt to centre two. Easton Stick takes the third-choice quarterback spot.
Players like Arnold Ebiketie and Ta’Quon Graham flashed big-play energy on defense.
But during the regular season, flashes do not win games.
Defensive questions loom
New defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has a mountain to climb.
The Ringer ranked this defense 29th, and it is incredibly hard to argue against that.
There will be some hope amongst the Falcons’ front office that the huge potential of their offense gets them through this campaign, while work on the defensive issues continues.
Too many rookies. Not enough push. James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker are talented but raw.
The verdict
The verdict on the Falcons’ preseason depends on how high you rank the importance of performance.
One section of the fan base will see it as minutes on the field for players and a chance for fringe players to prove a point.
More cynical fans will question the results and performances, staring three losses in the face with Week 1 rapidly approaching.
Raheem Morris and his staff have two weeks to figure it out.
Because once Week 1 hits, potential means nothing. Execution is everything.
