1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 1: Mile two to just kind of head on. 2 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:06,560 Speaker 2: Slip its. 3 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 3: Falcons fans, what's up and welcome back to Falcons Final Whistle. 4 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: I am back. I'm your host, Will McFadden. 5 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 3: I want to give a big shout out to Tory 6 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 3: and Tarn for filling in for me while I was 7 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 3: away on paternity leave. My wife and I welcomed our 8 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,960 Speaker 3: second child the day of the Miami Dolphins game, so 9 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:35,160 Speaker 3: I've been out of pocket for the last couple of weeks, 10 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 3: just getting into the little guy spending some quality bonding time. 11 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:41,160 Speaker 3: At some point in his life, I will have to 12 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 3: let him know that he ushered in a little bit 13 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 3: of a losing streak here, So we're gonna have to 14 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 3: have a talk about that, But that time is way 15 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 3: in the future. For right now, we have to dig 16 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 3: into Atlanta's twenty five thirty one loss of the Indianapolis Colts. 17 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 3: It is not the outcome anybody wanted, right, And I'm 18 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 3: going to start up top here just kind of explaining 19 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 3: why it is a little bit frustrating, I think for 20 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 3: Falcons fans in particular. But before we get into that, 21 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:09,759 Speaker 3: I just want to give a quick reminder. If you're 22 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 3: new to the show, here. First off, welcome, we love 23 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 3: having you. We do four quarters. Each quarter is going 24 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 3: to be six minutes. We'll hear a whistle at the 25 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 3: end of every quarter. Toy is going to join me 26 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,920 Speaker 3: from Berlin. She was at the game in Germany. I 27 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 3: was not again hanging out a little guy here, but 28 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 3: we're gonna hear from her second and third quarters, and 29 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 3: then Jared is going to jump on in the fourth 30 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 3: quarter to join me. So again, six minutes per quarter. 31 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,319 Speaker 3: We got whistles, we got stats, we got opinions, and 32 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 3: we're ready to get going. So let's start the clock 33 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 3: on our first quarter. And yet so or twenty five 34 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:45,120 Speaker 3: thirty one loss. I think they did some good things, 35 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 3: particularly on the defensive side of the ball. But look, 36 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 3: the main takeaway here is that you drop to three 37 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 3: and six and that your chances of making the postseason 38 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 3: are getting pretty slim. 39 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 1: Right at this point. 40 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 3: Last year you're six and three, and so of course 41 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 3: it is feasible to have a turnaround, you know, like 42 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 3: the things can change here. They're not dead in the 43 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 3: water just yet. But for all of the joy and 44 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 3: the optimism last year, sitting at six and three, coming 45 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:13,639 Speaker 3: off in kirktober it kind of feels the opposite for 46 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 3: the Falcons right now, and understandably so. It feels as 47 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 3: though for every time they get something corrected and worked out, 48 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 3: another issue pops up. And today it was as it 49 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 3: was last week. The third down offense. Falcons were oh 50 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 3: of eight on third down. They had more manageable, I 51 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 3: think opportunities in that area, but it felt very boom 52 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 3: or busty from the offense. You had big plays, you 53 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,639 Speaker 3: had explosive plays. I think they had fifteen plays of 54 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 3: ten or more yards in this game, and they were 55 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 3: getting their shots. It's just the moments where they have 56 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 3: to kind of march all the way down the field. 57 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 3: It does feel like they'll hit a hiccup a time 58 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 3: or two. And against a team like the Indianapolis Colts, 59 00:02:57,520 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 3: who are now eight and two and one of the 60 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 3: best teams in a very good team, and I was 61 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 3: watching them throughout kind of like my preparation. The team 62 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:06,119 Speaker 3: they reminded me the most of were the early Matt 63 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 3: Ryan Falcons, kind of after Dirt Cutter came here and 64 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:12,080 Speaker 3: you had Roddy White and you had Julio and the 65 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 3: running backs that they mixed in and out, you know, 66 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 3: it was, and Tony ch like that was an offense 67 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 3: that could go a lot of different places, that felt 68 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 3: like it had an identity, that felt very confident. And 69 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:25,080 Speaker 3: I think the Colts are the exact same way. And 70 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 3: I really liked what Atlanta. 71 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:27,920 Speaker 1: Did to them. 72 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 3: They made this Colts team look more kind of confused 73 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 3: and discombobulated on offense than I've seen any other team 74 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 3: do this year. The game it reminded me the most 75 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 3: of from this season was the Denver Broncos game against 76 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 3: the Indianapolis Colts early on in the year, which was 77 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 3: like a heavyweight fight. So again, the Falcons have shown 78 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 3: the ability to be there. But that is why I 79 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 3: think this one is frustrating, because yet again, you were 80 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 3: right there. You did play like the better team at times, 81 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 3: you had the lead late in the fourth quarter, and 82 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 3: you end up on the wrong side in the final outcome. 83 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 3: And it is reminiscent of Week one against Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 84 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 3: and honestly, having grown up here in Atlanta for the 85 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 3: longest time, you know, it has been a story of 86 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 3: getting close and being right there with all of the 87 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 3: rest of the kind of like big dogs, and at 88 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 3: times the Falcons have definitely been a big dog, but 89 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 3: more often than not, it feels like he kind of 90 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:27,799 Speaker 3: falls just a little bit short, and over a period 91 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 3: of time, Yeah, I know that frustration builds within the 92 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 3: fan base, and today was an opportunity where you saw 93 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 3: the Falcons start out early kind of they answer that 94 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 3: Colts first drive, and I thought they looked so impressive, right. 95 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 3: They had Break London involved, they had Kyle Pitts involved, 96 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 3: they had both running backs involved, the offensive line dealing 97 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:49,920 Speaker 3: with some injuries throughout the week. I thought they were 98 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 3: moving the ball really well against a good Colts defense. 99 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 3: So this one was not so much like a hey, 100 00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:00,039 Speaker 3: the Colts are a better team, tip your hat to 101 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 3: This was always going to be a tough task. This 102 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 3: was a chance to really, I think, make another statement, 103 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 3: which we've seen them do before, and so it leads 104 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 3: them at a point where they've got to fix it, 105 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 3: and they've got to fix it kind of right now, 106 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 3: whatever it is. In the history of the NFL postseason, 107 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 3: which is beginning in nineteen thirty three, only ten teams 108 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 3: have started three and six are worse and eventually made 109 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 3: the postseason. Right, so the last team, actually there were 110 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,599 Speaker 3: two teams in twenty twenty three that did this, the 111 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 3: Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams, right, So 112 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 3: it is it is doable, but it's very hard. And 113 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:40,840 Speaker 3: that is where if you're the Falcons, like I think 114 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 3: they are a team capable of doing something like this 115 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:48,719 Speaker 3: because the pieces that they have in place are talented 116 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 3: enough to go and beat a Bills team. They are 117 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 3: talented enough to really handle a Washington Commanders team, right, 118 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:57,239 Speaker 3: and they are good enough to go on the road 119 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 3: and go toe to toe with the Patriots and the 120 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 3: Cold to again have the best record in the league 121 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 3: right now. 122 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:05,360 Speaker 1: So this team is capable of it. 123 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,160 Speaker 3: They just need to figure out how to put all 124 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 3: of these pieces to get together and get them to 125 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:11,280 Speaker 3: stay that way. 126 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: Right. 127 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:14,720 Speaker 3: It can't be a quarter of excellence and then two 128 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:16,840 Speaker 3: quarters have kind of taken a step back, and then 129 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,919 Speaker 3: you know, five minutes of an amazing drive and then 130 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 3: you kind of give up a big play defensively and 131 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:24,279 Speaker 3: it feels like that momentum in away. So I know, 132 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 3: I'm just basically explaining football, right. There's a reason that 133 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 3: this is such a difficult sport. It's because you have 134 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 3: eleven guys you have to get all in sync all 135 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:37,680 Speaker 3: in concert working together to do something really difficult and challenging, 136 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 3: all while eleven guys on the other side are being 137 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:43,559 Speaker 3: coordinated to do everything they can to stop you. Right, 138 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:47,599 Speaker 3: So the Falcons have the talent to be able to 139 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 3: beat other good teams, the chemistry, the coordination, whatever is 140 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 3: not there yet to do it consistently, to maintain these drives, 141 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 3: to maintain these games, and ultimately whether these ebbs and 142 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 3: flows of momentum that are taking place, Like I think 143 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 3: the Falcons are right there and they're knocking on the door, 144 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 3: but at this point we can't say that they are 145 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 3: going to walk through it because they have been kind 146 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 3: of right there in my opinion the last couple of weeks. 147 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 3: And I understand the Falcons fans frustration with what they 148 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:20,239 Speaker 3: have seen because you had the opportunities and once again 149 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 3: it just kind of came up wrong for you and 150 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 3: on the other side of the win loss column. So 151 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 3: let's go ahead and get into the second quarter. We're 152 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 3: going to welcome Tory mc laney on from Berlin, and 153 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 3: let's keep it rolling. 154 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: Gut and Tory. 155 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:38,239 Speaker 3: We are now joined by Tory mclaney who is joining 156 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 3: us from Berlin. Live there for the game Tory. What 157 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 3: was the environment at Olympic Stadium. It was pretty crazy. 158 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 4: I mean I went to London two years ago and 159 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 4: now to see Berlin, Germany and how much this fan 160 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 4: base truly is craving NFL football, and just the excitement 161 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 4: was kind of untouched, I feel like in in terms 162 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 4: of how how much growth there could be internationally here 163 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 4: because it was a packed house. People were excited. It 164 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 4: was loud. I mean, they sang country roads. It was 165 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 4: that was I got saw them doing the wave. Yeah, 166 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 4: they did the wave. It was I mean, like a 167 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 4: good wave. I have nothing but good things to say 168 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 4: about about the game's atmosphere. I have some things maybe 169 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 4: not so good to say about the game itself. 170 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 3: Yeah that's unfortunately, like we can't spend more time talking 171 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 3: about I had all these questions about, you know, just 172 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:33,439 Speaker 3: the experience over there. But yeah, after this loss, it 173 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 3: doesn't feel like it's appropriate really to spend so much 174 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 3: time on that because with a performance, and we'll start 175 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:42,960 Speaker 3: with the offense, particularly like they had today, where there 176 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,560 Speaker 3: were opportunities, but once again, it's just kind of setting 177 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 3: yourself back, shooting yourself in the foot. 178 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:49,719 Speaker 1: The falcons, you. 179 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 3: Know, were elevated on third down, they averaged under five 180 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 3: yards of play, they were held under three hundred yards. 181 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 3: The Colts gained five hundred and nineteen total yards. So 182 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:03,200 Speaker 3: offensively tory for Atlanta. What did you make of them today? 183 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 4: It just it was good in spurts and not good 184 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 4: in others. I mean, that sounds pretty lame to say 185 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 4: in terms of like by way of explanation, but it's true. 186 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 4: The Falcons in and of themselves need to be better 187 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 4: on third down. You can't go zero for eight and 188 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:23,839 Speaker 4: expect to win at this level, especially against a team 189 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,840 Speaker 4: that was going to score. You knew going into this 190 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:28,480 Speaker 4: game that the Culture were going to score. You knew 191 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 4: that they were going to get theirs. And so I 192 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 4: think the fact that the Falcons had opportunities to answer 193 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 4: and didn't and potentially went three and out or couldn't converte, 194 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:40,080 Speaker 4: couldn't put points on the board, like, that's just it's 195 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 4: not a recipe for success, and it hasn't been over 196 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 4: the course of the last four losses. Considering that now, 197 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:49,480 Speaker 4: the Falcon's third down conversion rate I believe drops to 198 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 4: around twenty twenty two percent, And that's just it's not 199 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 4: good enough. 200 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:59,160 Speaker 3: That's that is that is very low And yeah, you can't, 201 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 3: like even with plays from Kyle Pitts, even with plays 202 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:04,760 Speaker 3: from Drake London. Today, you know like there were, like 203 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:06,439 Speaker 3: you said, moments it felt like it was a little 204 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:08,839 Speaker 3: all or nothing for Atlanta. They were either getting like 205 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,520 Speaker 3: a first down or like a two yard gain. 206 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: What did I know? 207 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 3: You just came from Marahee Morris's press conference. What did 208 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 3: he have to say about that side of the ball? 209 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 4: It was basically similar to what I said about These 210 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 4: third downs continued to be something that you talk about 211 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 4: and you can't be in a situation where you're talking 212 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 4: about it to the extent that you are and they 213 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 4: have to figure it out. I think that I even 214 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 4: asked him on Monday, like, hey, what are actionable steps 215 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 4: that this staff, this team is taking in order to 216 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 4: be better on third down? And then it shows up again. Also, 217 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 4: I'm going to get off because Mike is walking in 218 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 4: the room. 219 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 3: Well, that was kind of the perfect time, Tori for 220 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 3: I guess Michael Pennicks come to the podium. What did 221 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 3: he have to say about today's offensive performance? 222 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:56,679 Speaker 4: I think that was the most dejected and down trodden 223 00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 4: I have seen Michael Pennix maybe ever. You know, Yeah, 224 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 4: he's not a man of many words. He's often said 225 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 4: that about himself, but this was a really difficult press conference. 226 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 4: He was very emotional, very not emotional, but like you 227 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 4: could tell that he was really carrying this loss on himself. 228 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 4: He said he wasn't good enough, he was frustrated with 229 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,959 Speaker 4: the performance. I asked him about third down and he 230 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 4: kind of said, you know, that has to be better. 231 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 4: It starts with him. And then I also kind of, 232 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 4: you know, it felt like it was a really again, 233 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 4: it was downtrodden. It was very heavy, and so I 234 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 4: did try. I was like, hey, like, you know, I 235 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 4: know you probably don't want to talk about this, but 236 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,079 Speaker 4: you know, since your start in Week sixteen last year, 237 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:43,560 Speaker 4: there's a stat that says no wide receiver quarterback duo 238 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:45,959 Speaker 4: has more yards than you and Drake do. And he 239 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,440 Speaker 4: just straight up just was like that doesn't matter. We 240 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 4: didn't win this game, and to that like fair like, 241 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 4: and I think that this loss is weighing very very 242 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 4: heavy on him, just based off of the three four 243 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 4: minutes that he just came in. 244 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'll speak for myself very quickly, Like I saw, 245 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 3: we obviously see the positives of Michael Pennox right the 246 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 3: arm strength, the ability to kind. 247 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 1: Of like make these throws. But there are some areas 248 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 1: of his. 249 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 3: Game where whether it be kind of like moving a 250 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:18,840 Speaker 3: little too quickly at times, I think through his progressions 251 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 3: and when he drops back, like some of the intentional groundings, 252 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 3: when he does get pressure and buying stuff out of structure. 253 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:28,880 Speaker 3: Are you surprised that we have not seen more progression 254 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 3: and development in some of these areas of being an 255 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 3: NFL quarterback from him now past the halfway point potentially. 256 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 4: But the thing is is, I thought I thought the 257 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 4: opposite last week against the Patriots. I did feel like 258 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 4: he was more comfortable. I did feel like it was 259 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:45,959 Speaker 4: getting through his progressions, you know, like it. But I 260 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,959 Speaker 4: think that's the point of a young rookie quarterback. You're 261 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 4: gonna have those consistently inconsistent exactly. And I mean that's 262 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 4: just kind of where it where he is right now. 263 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 4: And I know, you know, he's still in his first 264 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:01,079 Speaker 4: true year as I started in uarterback in the NFL, 265 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:04,320 Speaker 4: and I think that that what you're talking about is 266 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 4: a prime example of that youth in the league showing up. 267 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 1: And we expected it to show up right. 268 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 3: Sorry, like when we're talking about it before the season, 269 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 3: we knew this was coming. It just is hard to 270 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:19,680 Speaker 3: live through, and especially having it cost you a game 271 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 3: like today, and you know, at times kind of other 272 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 3: So the Falcons, we've seen positives, but offensively, there's clear 273 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 3: work to be done. That's going to do it for 274 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 3: our second quarter. We're going to move in a halftime 275 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 3: and Tori, you're going to go here from Jesse Bates 276 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 3: and we'll catch up with you in just a second. 277 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 4: Awesome, see y'all soon for here, y'all soon. 278 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 3: All right, let's head into the locker room for a 279 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:43,880 Speaker 3: real quick halftime regroup presented by a Microsoft copilot. We've 280 00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:46,200 Speaker 3: got a it would have been a much better stat 281 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:48,720 Speaker 3: if the Falcons had held on to win today's game, 282 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:52,160 Speaker 3: but it's still representative. I think of the work on 283 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 3: the defensive side of the ball in the turnaround, which frankly, 284 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:58,000 Speaker 3: nobody you know would have expected me to say this 285 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 3: sentence this time last year. The Falcons now have five 286 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 3: or more sacks in three games this season, which is 287 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 3: tied for their most amount of games in any season 288 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 3: in franchise history. So again, We came into this year 289 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 3: knowing the defense had to get fixed, especially the pass rush, 290 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 3: and through what has it been nine games, they still 291 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 3: they have a chance to have their best season in 292 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 3: terms of multi five plus sack games. They are on 293 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 3: pace to put up one of their best sax seasons 294 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 3: I think in franchise history. So the pass rush has 295 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 3: definitely turned around. I really liked the energy we saw 296 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 3: Jama Walker and James Pierce get involved again today. So 297 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 3: the offense we just talked about with Tori, there's some 298 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 3: work to do. But defensively, I really like what Jeff 299 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 3: Holbrick has done to this unit, especially with their number 300 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 3: one issue, which was the pass rush. I don't think 301 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 3: we can call it an issue anymore. So that is 302 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 3: our halftime stat brought to you by Microsoft Copilot. Let's 303 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 3: get into our third quarter, and I have a feeling 304 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 3: we're going to keep talking about Atlanta's defense. Moving into 305 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 3: the third quarter, Tory is back with me. Tory, let's 306 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 3: talk about the defense. You know, I think if you 307 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 3: look at just the box score and you kind of 308 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 3: look at some of the totals for Indianapolis's offense, you 309 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 3: may come away being like, Yep, the league's best offense 310 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 3: did it yet again. However, on the field, I feel 311 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:19,440 Speaker 3: like Atlanta's defense played really well. They deserve to win 312 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,080 Speaker 3: this game. What were your thoughts on the defense performance. 313 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 4: Yeah, up until that eighty three yard touchdown run by 314 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 4: Jonathan Taylor, I really did feel like the defense played 315 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:33,080 Speaker 4: well enough to one keep this offense in the game, 316 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 4: keep the team in the game, but also win the game. 317 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 4: I mean, I think that they had I'm trying to 318 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 4: think what it was, but held the Colts to being 319 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 4: seventeen percent on third down conversion. 320 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, there were two of twelve because twelve. 321 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 4: Yeah, so I you know, got off the field. They 322 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,480 Speaker 4: had sacks, they had turnovers, Like those are the three 323 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:57,400 Speaker 4: things that if you're a defense and you're playing against 324 00:15:57,400 --> 00:16:00,360 Speaker 4: the number one scoring offense in the league, you come 325 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 4: away being like, yeah, they had like six sacks, and 326 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:05,360 Speaker 4: they had a couple turnovers, and you know, they got 327 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:08,920 Speaker 4: off the field. It truly did feel like this defense 328 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 4: was performing to a clip that we've won come to 329 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 4: known them to perform at. But also two, especially in 330 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 4: the first three quarters, you're like, all right, like they're 331 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 4: given this offense a chance to win this game. And 332 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 4: again That's why, going back to what we were talking 333 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:27,400 Speaker 4: about in the second quarter, that's why those third downs 334 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:32,840 Speaker 4: that the Falcons offense weren't converting are so detrimental to 335 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 4: what even the defense was doing. Because I believe like 336 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 4: when there was a turnover on downs, when there was 337 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 4: a turnover in and of itself and the defense gets 338 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 4: the ball back to the offense, it's like it just 339 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 4: felt like they weren't doing anything off of that, which 340 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 4: really stresses your defense against a team that you know 341 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 4: is going to give the ball to Jonathan Taylor and 342 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 4: he's gonna get significant yards. You just know that's in 343 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 4: the game plan. 344 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's has a compounding effect, right, because your defense 345 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 3: starts out hot. If they kind of a momentum swinging play, 346 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 3: you're not then able to do anything with it. Not 347 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 3: only does it kind of deal you a little bit 348 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,680 Speaker 3: of a moral blow or you know, like it's demoralizing, 349 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 3: but yeah, you also put your defense right back out 350 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 3: there and over the course of four quarters and going 351 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:20,439 Speaker 3: into overtime, probably gonna wear them down a little bit. 352 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 3: They're also undermanned. You know, they came in into Gay's 353 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:27,080 Speaker 3: game missing my cues. You know, they they've dealt with 354 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 3: some injuries obviously divined diablows out, so this was a 355 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 3: short staff group. And yet I did think that they 356 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 3: made the splash plays, they made the situational plays down 357 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 3: in the red zone in the short yardage mentioned two 358 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:42,920 Speaker 3: for twelve, But I'm looking right now at Jonathan Taylor's total, 359 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,760 Speaker 3: which yeah, somehow I missed until just this moment. Oh 360 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,440 Speaker 3: my god, are you kidding? Yeah, thirty two carries to 361 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 3: forty four for three touchdowns. 362 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean that does tell the story. But you know, 363 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,199 Speaker 4: eighty three of those yards come on one run. But 364 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 4: I mean that's you know, neither here nor there. The 365 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 4: still would be giving up about one hundred and fifty 366 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 4: over one hundred and fifty rushing yards to him. But 367 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 4: he's the best running back in the league right now. Again, 368 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,159 Speaker 4: like you knew coming in with the game plan was 369 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:11,480 Speaker 4: you knew what they were wanting to do, and you 370 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 4: knew they've been able to do that in multiple different 371 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 4: ways against multiple different teams. And that's what's so I 372 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 4: think frustrating too, is like you knew this, you knew 373 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:25,680 Speaker 4: what they wanted to do, you knew who they wanted 374 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 4: to be, and yet it still didn't work, and I 375 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 4: think that's you know, we talk about run defense all 376 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 4: the time, and it's a part of this defense that 377 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:38,840 Speaker 4: you thought had gotten better over the last couple of weeks, 378 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 4: but then you get to today and it's like kind 379 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:43,640 Speaker 4: of bit you in the butt yet again. 380 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:44,360 Speaker 1: Yeah. 381 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:46,719 Speaker 3: Absolutely, I mean we thought that the run game had 382 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,120 Speaker 3: kind of been not solved necessarily to the run defense, 383 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 3: but that they had made some strides in that area, 384 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:53,960 Speaker 3: and of course, you know which is went over the 385 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 3: numbers for Jonathan Taylor. Today, the Colts could kind of 386 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 3: get whatever they wanted to on the ground by as 387 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:03,120 Speaker 3: I've said before, like I do feel like the offense 388 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,480 Speaker 3: plays a role in that, and just like their inability 389 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 3: to kind of capitalize off some of these turnovers, these 390 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:12,359 Speaker 3: defensive stands. By not putting up points, you allowed the 391 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 3: Colts to just turn around and hand the ball off 392 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 3: to Jonathan Taylor all day long and he never made 393 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,680 Speaker 3: them one dimensional. Did it feel like that just throughout 394 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 3: the game to you as well? 395 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:21,240 Speaker 1: Yes? 396 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 4: It did. Also, guys, I'm not going to be able 397 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:25,919 Speaker 4: to record this because now I'm being told that our 398 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 4: departure time is moving up to eight ten and that's 399 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 4: in seven minutes. I'm so sorry. 400 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:33,399 Speaker 3: Oh my recorder is coming to a close early. Actually, 401 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:34,959 Speaker 3: I think we should leave all this in. This is amazing. 402 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 4: Bye, Oh my god, Okay, bye, I'm so sorry. 403 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 3: The life of a show woman. All right, Well, we 404 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:43,439 Speaker 3: had a quick ending to the third quarter there, and 405 00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 3: I'm going to welcome on our producer Jared to chat 406 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:48,760 Speaker 3: with me in the fourth quarter. But yeah, it was 407 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:51,320 Speaker 3: a real life look at what we kind of go 408 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:54,480 Speaker 3: back and forth with to record these shows, especially when 409 00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:57,000 Speaker 3: Tori is on the road, and I mean, could you 410 00:19:57,040 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 3: be any further away than Germany right now? So they 411 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:04,119 Speaker 3: had some travel speed ups it seems like happening to 412 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 3: getting out of there, and so she had wrap things up. 413 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:09,440 Speaker 3: But Jared, thanks for hopping on with me and taking 414 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 3: her place. It's, you know, not the greatest game for 415 00:20:12,680 --> 00:20:16,600 Speaker 3: us to chat about. But what were your overall thoughts 416 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:17,880 Speaker 3: on today's performance? 417 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:19,040 Speaker 1: You mentioned this earlier. 418 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 2: Will it just it sucks so bad that it doesn't 419 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:26,280 Speaker 2: matter how close you are, because last week in New England, 420 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:29,879 Speaker 2: this week in Germany, it's been right there for the taking. 421 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:33,160 Speaker 2: Just one tiny little thing goes, it goes a different way, 422 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:35,640 Speaker 2: and you walk out of here. These two weeks two 423 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 2: and oh, right against the two best teams in the 424 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:44,040 Speaker 2: NFL by record, and it sucks one point short, six 425 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 2: points in overtime short, Like yep, there isn't really anything 426 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:51,639 Speaker 2: else to say except this is just this sucks, and 427 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:55,399 Speaker 2: like those are the margins in this league, right, and 428 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:58,720 Speaker 2: it's it's why because you're completely right. 429 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:04,640 Speaker 3: Usable to lose two games essentially on the road against 430 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:08,359 Speaker 3: to the best teams in the AFC, right, which is 431 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 3: why it is much more difficult, in my opinion, to 432 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:14,640 Speaker 3: stomach the losses earlier in the year to Carolina and Miami. 433 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 3: Right when the Carolina loss happened, you're able to write 434 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:19,359 Speaker 3: it off as an outlier as long as you keep 435 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:23,600 Speaker 3: winning games. When you don't, then it's a very real 436 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 3: loss on your schedule. And now you're sitting here at 437 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 3: three and six, and man, wouldn't it be nice to 438 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:29,320 Speaker 3: be four and five? Wouldn't it be great to be 439 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 3: five and four if you had won the Miami game 440 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:34,040 Speaker 3: as well? So good teams take care of the games 441 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,679 Speaker 3: that they are supposed to on their schedule, because this 442 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 3: is the league, and anything can happen, and a bad 443 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:41,680 Speaker 3: team can be a good team, and a good team, 444 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 3: you know, can go toe to toe with another good 445 00:21:43,359 --> 00:21:47,119 Speaker 3: team and lose in overtime, and it's like that is 446 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:48,679 Speaker 3: where you at the end of the day, are what 447 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:51,600 Speaker 3: your record says you are. But the frustrating part is 448 00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:54,639 Speaker 3: that the Falcons feel as though they should be better 449 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 3: than what their record is right now. 450 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:59,240 Speaker 2: Right and like you said, imagine you show up against 451 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 2: Carolina and Miami beat those teams, you're five and four 452 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:05,680 Speaker 2: or four and five. The growth that we've seen from 453 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:08,680 Speaker 2: this team in the last couple of weeks and across 454 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:10,800 Speaker 2: the season, like you can tell that there are steps 455 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,159 Speaker 2: being made, But like you said, you are what your 456 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:15,480 Speaker 2: record says you are, and it just it feels like 457 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:17,879 Speaker 2: it doesn't matter that this team is growing and improving, 458 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 2: that the defense is world is different than it was 459 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:23,600 Speaker 2: last year. It just it feels like it doesn't matter 460 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:26,359 Speaker 2: because of those two losses and moving here down the stretch, 461 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:29,600 Speaker 2: it's great to see this improvement, but now that mountain 462 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:32,720 Speaker 2: is so much taller to climb in order to get 463 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:34,560 Speaker 2: to where you want to go to the playoffs, to 464 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:37,879 Speaker 2: have a winning record again, it's just so much harder 465 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:39,679 Speaker 2: now because of those slip ups early in the year. 466 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:43,240 Speaker 2: When you were still learning with this young, young roster. Yeah, 467 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:45,480 Speaker 2: it's a tough pill to swallow at this point. 468 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:47,280 Speaker 1: It absolutely is. 469 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:49,520 Speaker 3: And I like what you said about the kind of 470 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:53,320 Speaker 3: improvements that they have made because the red zone has 471 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:55,879 Speaker 3: not been an issue for Atlanta at all offensively. The 472 00:22:55,960 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 3: last couple of games there were three for three in 473 00:22:57,560 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 3: the red zone. You know, today it is a good turnaround, 474 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:03,159 Speaker 3: and yet it feels like this is I apologize a 475 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 3: tortured cliche, but that for every hole in the boat 476 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 3: that they plug, kind of another one pops up, and again, 477 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 3: the time is dwindling here for you to be able 478 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 3: to fill enough of these holes and kind of keep 479 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:18,320 Speaker 3: the boat on the water. So Jared, let's take a 480 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:22,040 Speaker 3: quick look at like what the Falcons have coming up next, 481 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:26,919 Speaker 3: because I think that this next three game stretch is well, 482 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 3: I'm just gonna say it is the most important three 483 00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 3: game stretch for Atlanta the rest of the season and 484 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 3: maybe the entire season. And it's not going to be, 485 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 3: you know, a murderer's row here, but that is why 486 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:39,280 Speaker 3: it is so important. You've got the Carolina Panthers at home, 487 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:41,280 Speaker 3: then you're on the road against the New Orleans Saints 488 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:42,879 Speaker 3: and you're on the road against the New York Jets. 489 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 3: You need to go three and zero I think in 490 00:23:45,119 --> 00:23:47,879 Speaker 3: those games to keep this season on the rails. 491 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:49,679 Speaker 1: What do you say absolutely? 492 00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:51,480 Speaker 2: I mean, we've been debating it for the last couple 493 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:52,960 Speaker 2: of weeks, like is it crunch time? 494 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:53,399 Speaker 3: Is it not? 495 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 2: I mean that the teams are so good it is 496 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:58,280 Speaker 2: crunch time. Now it is official, it is crunch time. 497 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:01,159 Speaker 2: You have to win these next three games. And I 498 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:03,760 Speaker 2: wish that we could feel confident about it. But we 499 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 2: saw what happened in the first game against Carolina, then 500 00:24:06,800 --> 00:24:08,919 Speaker 2: we thought, okay, everything was fixed. Then we saw what 501 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:11,280 Speaker 2: happened against Miami, whose only win was over the New 502 00:24:11,359 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 2: York Jets. So like, you can't rule these games out. 503 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:15,359 Speaker 2: You can't say, Okay, we're going to go on a 504 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:17,240 Speaker 2: three game run here, and then we'll come back into 505 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:19,160 Speaker 2: the Seattle game and we'll be a different team. We'll 506 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:21,080 Speaker 2: have a lot of momentum and let's make a push 507 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:23,280 Speaker 2: for the playoffs. I don't know if you can say 508 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 2: that with confidence right now. You can say absolutely, that's possible, 509 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 2: like we've seen this team stealing one hundred percent, that's possible. 510 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:33,359 Speaker 1: But I as a fan. You can't expect that right now. 511 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:37,119 Speaker 3: All right, let's play a quick game here then before 512 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 3: we get out of here, called like the reason why 513 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:40,119 Speaker 3: and the reason why not? 514 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:40,960 Speaker 1: All right? 515 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,040 Speaker 3: So let's I want to throw this to you first. 516 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:45,719 Speaker 3: I'll come up with my reasons. But the Falcons do 517 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:48,720 Speaker 3: make the playoffs in twenty twenty five, what is the 518 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 3: reason why? 519 00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 2: Because they show up every single Sunday. We've seen what 520 00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:55,680 Speaker 2: happens when the Falcons show up every single Sunday. They 521 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:57,280 Speaker 2: show up, they can go toe to toe with the 522 00:24:57,280 --> 00:24:59,440 Speaker 2: best teams in the NFL if they make the playoffs. 523 00:24:59,440 --> 00:24:59,879 Speaker 1: That's why. 524 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:05,440 Speaker 3: Okay, I think that's the consistency element, right is absolutely 525 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:08,840 Speaker 3: the most important thing because it's what we haven't seen yet. 526 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 3: So I will say it to me. It starts with 527 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:14,760 Speaker 3: with Michael Pennix and with this passing game. I think 528 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:20,280 Speaker 3: if you can see him throw maybe fifteen touchdown passes, 529 00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 3: twenty touchdown passes over this like, that's a lot, right, 530 00:25:22,880 --> 00:25:25,960 Speaker 3: But if that passing game can get going, I really 531 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 3: do think that's the last class ceiling. The Falcon's got 532 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:31,399 Speaker 3: to break through here this season. So let's flip it around, Jared, 533 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 3: why not Why won't the Falcons make the playoffs in 534 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:35,120 Speaker 3: twenty twenty. 535 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:39,680 Speaker 1: Five unfortunately, And I hate to say this. I hate 536 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:40,080 Speaker 1: to say this. 537 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 2: If the Falcons don't make the playoffs, it's because of 538 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 2: the Caroline and the Miami losses. 539 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:46,480 Speaker 1: I agree. 540 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:48,600 Speaker 2: I think you could play your best football down the 541 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 2: stretch here and not make the playoffs. And it's because 542 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:52,760 Speaker 2: of those two games that you drop that you absolutely 543 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:53,360 Speaker 2: should have won. 544 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:57,720 Speaker 1: I think that is that's definitely a main factor. 545 00:25:57,760 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 3: And I will take a one step further and I 546 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:01,919 Speaker 3: will say it's because of what you pointed out with 547 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:05,200 Speaker 3: that inconsistency. Right now, the Falcons feel like a team 548 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:07,679 Speaker 3: that plays to the level of its opponent. When they 549 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:10,120 Speaker 3: play a good team, a playoff team from last year, 550 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:12,240 Speaker 3: they're in every game. They have a chance to win 551 00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:15,399 Speaker 3: these games. When they are playing teams that are looked 552 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:18,760 Speaker 3: upon as kind of being lower in the standings or 553 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 3: just actually hard lower in the standings, we don't seem 554 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:24,119 Speaker 3: to get the best performance out of them. So that 555 00:26:24,280 --> 00:26:26,480 Speaker 3: is something that I think the team has to figure 556 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:27,400 Speaker 3: out and look at. 557 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:28,680 Speaker 1: And it starts internally. 558 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:30,560 Speaker 3: It starts with players in the locker room and they 559 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:32,680 Speaker 3: have to figure out how do we show up every 560 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:35,119 Speaker 3: single week, and how do we string things together and 561 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:37,879 Speaker 3: not have these inconsistent bouts. Anything else you want to 562 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:41,480 Speaker 3: add before we get out of here, Jared, just that 563 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:44,359 Speaker 3: it is crunch time. Now is winning time. You have 564 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:47,040 Speaker 3: to win these next three games, and if you drop 565 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:51,120 Speaker 3: one of them, then the ship is sailed. I think yep, 566 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:54,240 Speaker 3: all right, Well, guys, I wish I knew more German 567 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:56,200 Speaker 3: because I could probably like throw a lot of German 568 00:26:56,200 --> 00:26:59,120 Speaker 3: words out here and sound angry and all of. 569 00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:00,639 Speaker 1: That, but but I don't. 570 00:27:01,119 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 3: It's a little bit of a deflating loss because they 571 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:06,480 Speaker 3: had their moments in this game to win it against 572 00:27:06,520 --> 00:27:08,880 Speaker 3: a very very good team, and the Falcons have continued 573 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:11,400 Speaker 3: to show flashes, they just haven't been able to put 574 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 3: it all together, and time is running out for them 575 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:16,280 Speaker 3: to do just that. So thank you all so much 576 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:19,960 Speaker 3: for listening. We will be back with Falcons Audible midweek. 577 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:22,719 Speaker 3: And then we got the Friday five dropping on Friday 578 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:25,040 Speaker 3: morning for you all. A big thank you to Tory 579 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:27,600 Speaker 3: and Tarren for stepping in while I was away on 580 00:27:27,680 --> 00:27:29,280 Speaker 3: paternity leave, so I hope you. 581 00:27:29,320 --> 00:27:30,440 Speaker 1: Enjoyed those two. 582 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:32,800 Speaker 3: The last couple of weeks, they did an amazing job, 583 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:36,000 Speaker 3: but again thank you to Toy, thank you to Jared today, 584 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,560 Speaker 3: and we will see you all next time.