Falcons Special Teams Struggles Highlighted in Jets Loss

The Atlanta Falcons' special teams struggles were glaringly evident during their Week 13 loss to the New York Jets, a game that highlighted ongoing issues within the unit. Head coach Raheem Morris expressed frustration over the performance, calling it 'awful' and emphasizing the need for improvement.

Despite the issues, he stopped short of making immediate changes, reaffirming his confidence in special teams coordinator Marquice Williams, who has held the position since 2021. According to Deadspin, the Falcons are currently on their third kicker of the season, having released Younghoe Koo and John Parker Romo, which has contributed to their ranking of last in average kickoff return yards at 22.2 and third-worst in yards per punt return at 5.9.

The game against the Jets was particularly damaging, as the Falcons lost 27-24 after several crucial special teams mishaps. Jamal Agnew, a former Pro Bowler, muffed a punt return early in the game, allowing the Jets to recover at the Falcons' 2-yard line, which led to an immediate touchdown.

Later in the game, kicker Zane Gonzalez missed a 50-yard field goal attempt, further compounding the team's problems. The Falcons' kickoff unit also allowed Isaiah Williams to return a kickoff for 83 yards, which set up a game-tying field goal for the Jets in the fourth quarter.

Morris lamented that these special teams failures directly resulted in 10 points for New York. Meanwhile, the Jets capitalized on their special teams success, with players like Isaiah Williams and Qwantez Stiggers making pivotal plays that contributed to their victory.

Gang Green Nation noted Williams' 83-yard kickoff return, which was instrumental in setting up Nick Folk's game-winning field goal. The Jets' special teams unit, in stark contrast to Atlanta's, played a crucial role in their narrow win, showcasing their ability to flip field position at critical moments.

The overall state of the Falcons team has been called into question, as their record stands at 4-8 after this loss. The Falcoholic pointed out the poor performance of the special teams in a broader context of the team's struggles this season, indicating a lack of cohesion and execution across the board.

Looking forward, Morris hinted at the potential return of leading receiver Drake London, who has missed the last two games due to injury, which could provide a much-needed boost to the offense. However, the immediate focus remains on addressing the significant special teams issues that have plagued the Falcons throughout the season, with Morris stating that the team must find ways to execute better.