Falcons Falter Again as Run Defense Crumbles Late Against Jets
Another week, another late-game collapse for the Atlanta Falcons. This time, it came in a 27-24 loss to the New York Jets - a game that once again saw Atlanta let a winnable contest slip through its fingers. For a team that's become all too familiar with close losses, this one still stings, especially considering how it unfolded.
The Falcons looked like they had a handle on things early, particularly when it came to containing Jets running back Breece Hall. But as the game wore on, the cracks started to show - and by the fourth quarter, the dam had broken.
Hall, along with veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor, gashed the Falcons defense on the ground, combining for over 100 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Atlanta’s front seven simply couldn't hold the line when it mattered most.
Linebacker Divine Deablo didn’t sugarcoat it. After the game, he admitted the defense “let up a little bit” as the Jets’ run game gained steam.
That kind of honesty is rare - and telling. Deablo, now in his fifth season, was one of the few bright spots on a defense that struggled all afternoon.
He tied Kaden Elliss for the team lead with eight total tackles and led the way with seven solo stops and two tackles for loss. His performance stood out, but it wasn’t nearly enough to stop the bleeding.
The real frustration comes from how predictable this matchup was on paper. The Jets, whether it’s Taylor or Justin Fields under center, lean heavily on the run.
That’s been their identity all season. And with Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich - a former Jets coach - calling the shots, you'd think Atlanta would’ve been more prepared for what was coming.
Instead, the Falcons allowed a 36-year-old backup quarterback to run for 44 yards and a touchdown. Taylor only threw for 172 yards, but his mobility kept drives alive and made life difficult for a defense that knew exactly what to expect - and still couldn’t stop it.
And here’s the kicker: Ulbrich had downplayed the difference between Taylor and Fields before the game, suggesting the Jets’ offense wouldn’t change much regardless of who was under center. That may have been true schematically, but it didn’t help Atlanta stop the Jets from executing their game plan. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand stuck to the script, and the Falcons couldn’t adjust.
This wasn’t just a loss - it was a missed opportunity. The Falcons had a chance to right the ship against a struggling offense and failed to do so. The inability to close games, especially when the defense starts strong but fades late, has become a defining theme of their season.
For a team still trying to find its identity, these kinds of breakdowns are becoming too common. And if they can’t figure out how to finish games - especially against teams with limited passing attacks - the Falcons will keep finding themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard.