The Atlanta Falcons’ Week 13 loss to the New York Jets wasn’t just another close game slipping through their fingers - it was a gut punch. A 27-24 defeat decided by a field goal, yes, but the real story lies in the self-inflicted wounds on special teams that gifted the Jets 10 points and swung the momentum early and often.
Let’s break it down: a muffed punt, a missed field goal, and an 83-yard kick return. That’s not just a bad day at the office - that’s a collapse in one of the three core phases of football. In a league where margins are razor-thin, the Falcons didn’t just leave the door open - they rolled out the red carpet.
What makes this loss sting even more is how winnable the game was. This wasn’t a dominant Jets performance.
This was Atlanta giving it away, and with it, likely any realistic shot at the postseason. That playoff flame, already flickering, may have finally gone out.
After the game, head coach Raheem Morris didn’t sugarcoat it. He pointed the finger at the special teams unit - and rightfully so.
But what came next raised more eyebrows than it calmed: despite taking accountability publicly, Morris confirmed there would be no coaching changes. Not on special teams.
Not anywhere.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for Falcons fans. Accountability is important, but without action, it rings hollow.
This isn’t the first time Morris has called out specific units this season, but the lack of follow-through is starting to wear thin. When results aren’t improving and the same issues keep popping up, it’s fair to expect more than just words.
The Falcons have now lost five of their last six games. Since Morris took over, they’re 12-17 - a record that reflects a team stuck in neutral.
Last season, they started 6-3 and still missed the playoffs. This year, they’ve been competitive in close games - their last four losses have all been by one score - but they haven’t been able to close.
And in the NFL, that’s often the difference between a playoff team and one watching from home in January.
One of the more pressing concerns is Morris’ unwavering loyalty to his staff. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has been under scrutiny for weeks, and now special teams coordinator Marquice Williams is in the spotlight.
But Morris hasn’t wavered. That loyalty, admirable in some contexts, is starting to feel costly.
The Falcons aren’t just losing games - they’re losing winnable ones. And when the same mistakes keep happening without any visible course correction, it raises questions about leadership. Morris’ postgame mantra - “we have got to find a way” - is wearing thin when the solutions don’t follow.
To make matters worse, Atlanta doesn’t have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. That puts even more pressure on the current staff to maximize what they’ve got.
The rookie class has shown promise, but the team as a whole hasn’t taken the step forward fans hoped for. The ceiling hasn’t been raised.
If anything, the floor feels like it’s cracking.
Owner Arthur Blank has historically been patient with his head coaches, typically giving them at least three years to establish their vision. But patience has limits - especially when progress is hard to find. Morris’ seat is getting hotter, and the decisions (or lack thereof) around his coaching staff are only adding fuel to the fire.
And then there’s the special teams situation. Sitting a Pro Bowl-caliber special teamer while the unit struggles mightily?
That’s the kind of decision that’s hard to justify - especially when it’s followed by no adjustments. It’s not just about one game.
It’s about a pattern that’s emerged over the course of the season, and the sense that the Falcons are spinning their wheels.
The Falcons have talent - that’s not the issue. But talent without execution, without accountability, without adaptability - that’s a recipe for frustration. And right now, Atlanta has plenty of it.
The clock is ticking on this regime. If things don’t change - and quickly - the Falcons could be heading for another offseason of tough questions and even tougher decisions.