Falcons Collapse in Week 14 Blowout, and the Clock May Be Ticking on Raheem Morris
At halftime, the Atlanta Falcons were right there with the Seattle Seahawks-tied up and showing signs of life. But if you only watched the second half, you wouldn’t believe it.
The wheels came off fast and hard, and by the time the clock hit zero, the scoreboard read 37-9. That’s not just a loss-it’s a statement.
And not the kind a team wants to make in December.
The Falcons were outscored 31-3 in the second half. Let that sink in.
This wasn’t just a bad third quarter or a few missed opportunities. This was a full-on unraveling, the kind of performance that puts jobs on the line-and in this case, might finally force owner Arthur Blank’s hand when it comes to head coach Raheem Morris.
A Promising Start, a Brutal Reality
It’s hard to believe this team was once seen as a sleeper in the NFC. Entering the season, there were real playoff expectations in Atlanta.
The roster has talent-no one’s questioning that. But the results have been anything but competitive.
Now sitting at 4-9 and losers of seven of their last eight, the Falcons are spiraling. And Sunday’s blowout only added fuel to the fire.
To be fair, the Falcons had a touchdown wiped off the board due to officiating in the first half. They led 6-3 late in the second quarter and looked like they might be settling into a rhythm.
But whatever momentum they had evaporated in the locker room. The second half was all Seahawks, and the Falcons had no answers.
Offensive Struggles Continue
Kirk Cousins, brought in to stabilize the offense and provide veteran leadership, had a rough outing. He threw two interceptions and finished with just 162 passing yards.
It was a performance that lacked rhythm, confidence, and execution. Even the bright spots came with caveats-Bijan Robinson had some flashes but also lost a fumble, while Kyle Pitts’ 90 receiving yards were a season-high, but came in a blowout loss.
This offense, which was supposed to be dynamic with weapons like Robinson, Pitts, and Drake London, has looked anything but. The play-calling hasn’t helped, and the quarterback play has been inconsistent at best.
Defensive Breakdowns and a Lack of Fight
On the defensive side, James Pearce Jr. continued to show promise, but the positives stop there. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed had their way with the Falcons’ secondary, and Sam Darnold-yes, that Sam Darnold-looked like an MVP candidate against Atlanta’s defense. Jeff Ulbrich’s unit looked lost in coverage and struggled to get pressure, allowing the Seahawks to do pretty much whatever they wanted.
The most concerning part? The Falcons didn’t just get beat-they looked like a team that had mentally checked out.
There was no urgency, no fight, no spark. And that’s where leadership-or the lack of it-comes into play.
What Comes Next?
Arthur Blank isn’t known for making rash decisions. He’s typically patient, measured, and gives his coaches time to build.
But this situation feels different. The Falcons haven’t just been losing-they’ve been unraveling.
And when a team looks this lifeless, it usually means the message isn’t landing anymore.
If changes are coming-and at this point, it feels inevitable-they likely won’t stop with Raheem Morris. General manager Terry Fontenot’s seat is just as hot, and coordinators like Zac Robinson and Marquice Williams haven’t exactly helped their cases. A full reset might be on the horizon, one that brings in a new vision to take advantage of a roster still loaded with young talent on rookie contracts.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Falcons are at a pivotal moment. They’ve got pieces in place, from Robinson to Pitts to a defense with emerging talent.
But the current leadership hasn’t been able to put it all together. And after Sunday’s meltdown, it’s hard to argue that a change isn’t necessary.
With four games left, Atlanta’s season is all but over in terms of playoff hopes. But what happens next could define the direction of the franchise for years to come. If Blank decides it’s time for a new era, he’ll have plenty of decisions to make-and plenty of fans hoping the next chapter finally brings stability and success.
For now, though, the Falcons are reeling. And unless something dramatic changes, this season will likely be remembered as the one that forced the organization to hit the reset button.