The good news for the Atlanta Falcons is that things can’t get much worse in Week 2.
The team was at home in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles and proceeded to get absolutely destroyed.
Matt Ryan finished with 164 yards and no touchdowns in the 32-6 loss, making Jalen Hurts look like the experienced veteran.
No. 4 overall pick Kyle Pitts obviously did not do much either, finishing with 31 yards on eight targets.
It was ugly all around and even scoring a touchdown this weekend will be an improvement.
Unfortunately for Atlanta, that may not happen considering they are taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.
A Nightmare Start
The Falcons are double-digit underdogs and it is easy to see why.
What is the identity of this team?
Ryan is almost a lame-duck quarterback after the team traded away Julio Jones.
He was getting hit hard in Week 1 and the team’s leading rusher was receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.
The passing attack is supposed to be strong with Pitts and Calvin Ridley.
Instead, the offense was without hope against an Eagles team that is much weaker than what is in store this week against Tampa.
So let’s assume the Falcons lose and get off to an 0-2 start.
Is there any hope of turning things around?
They have to go on the road against the New York Giants in Week 3.
While the Giants just choked away a win Thursday night, they did still score 29 points.
We are focusing on the Falcons offense, but the defense was a dud as well in Week 1.
Things improving against Tom Brady would be a shock.
Ready To Surprise
The Falcons have to know the outlook is bad.
Maybe they can use that to their advantage against a Tampa team expecting an easy victory.
Pitts can be targeted early and can get going before the game is already out of hand.
Trying to establish anything with running back Mike Davis would be wise as well.
The team has nothing to lose and an early projection clearly sees them bottoming out in the NFC South.
The Buccaneers are Super Bowl favorites, the New Orleans Saints look elite, and the Carolina Panthers picked up a Week 1 win.
The Falcons stealing a win over the Buccaneers would be a huge boost and get them back in a contender’s mindset, even if it won’t last long.
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