Falcons' Playoff Hopes Crumble in Second-Half Collapse vs. Seahawks: 3 Winners, 4 Losers
The Atlanta Falcons walked into halftime with a fighting chance against a playoff-bound Seattle Seahawks squad. But the second half?
That was a meltdown of epic proportions. One play into the third quarter, and the wheels came off-fast.
This wasn’t just a bad half of football. It was a continuation of a season-long pattern: missed chances, recurring mistakes, and a team that couldn’t get out of its own way.
This loss didn’t just sting-it officially eliminated the Falcons from playoff contention. Let’s break down who stood out (for better or worse) in this collapse.
Loser: Marquice Williams and the Special Teams Unit
At this point, it’s hard to ignore the glaring issues on special teams. Week after week, the same problems keep popping up-missed assignments on kick coverage, poor blocking on returns, and shaky protection on field goals and punts.
The only consistent bright spot? Bradley Pinion, who continues to flip the field with his punting.
But one leg can’t carry an entire unit. The Falcons’ special teams have become a liability, and that falls squarely on coordinator Marquice Williams. If changes are coming this offseason, this phase of the game might be the first place they start.
Winner: Deven Thompkins Shows a Spark
It’s tough to find bright spots in a game like this, but Deven Thompkins gave the Falcons a jolt in the fourth quarter with a strong return that set them up near midfield. Considering he was working behind one of the league’s least effective return units, that’s no small feat.
Thompkins has flashed potential, and given the offensive struggles, there’s a real case to be made for getting him more involved beyond special teams. He brings speed and elusiveness-two things this offense could use a lot more of.
Loser: Raheem Morris’ Job Security
When a team consistently underperforms in the fundamentals-discipline, execution, composure-it reflects on the coaching staff. That’s been the story of the Falcons all season, and Sunday’s collapse only added another chapter.
The Falcons have been plagued by the same issues over and over: penalties, blown assignments, mental lapses. And in a game with their season on the line, those issues were front and center again. Raheem Morris is now firmly in the hot seat, and if he goes, it’s likely the entire coaching staff follows.
General manager Terry Fontenot isn’t immune from scrutiny either. The roster has holes-especially at wide receiver-and those shortcomings have been exposed down the stretch.
Winner: James Pearce Jr. Adds to His DROY Case
James Pearce Jr. didn’t waste any time making an impact. On just his third snap of the game, he got home for a sack, continuing a remarkable streak-five straight games with a sack, the first rookie to do that since Micah Parsons in 2021.
Pearce Jr. has been one of the few consistent bright spots for Atlanta this season. His combination of burst, bend, and finish off the edge has made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. If he keeps this up, he’s going to be right in the thick of the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Loser: Falcons’ Wide Receiver Room
This group has struggled all season, but Sunday’s performance was particularly rough. Without Drake London, the passing game has been lifeless-and that’s putting it kindly.
Darnell Mooney didn’t record a catch until late in the fourth quarter. Dylan Drummond and David Sills V didn’t offer much either.
There’s no separation, no contested catch ability, and no rhythm with the quarterback. It’s clear how much London means to this offense, and just as clear that this position group needs a serious overhaul in the offseason.
Winner: Los Angeles Rams’ Draft Position
The Falcons may have found a gem in James Pearce Jr., but the cost of that pick could come back to haunt them. Thanks to that trade, the Rams are not only heading to the playoffs-they’re also in position to land a top-10 pick in next year’s draft.
That’s a rare and dangerous combo: a playoff-caliber team with premium draft capital. The Rams are in a strong position to reload quickly, and the Falcons helped make that happen.
Loser: NFL Officiating
Nobody likes to talk about the refs, but this one was hard to ignore. Atlanta was hit with a flurry of early penalties, while several clear holding calls on Seattle went unflagged.
The most egregious moment came on a would-be touchdown by Darnell Mooney-he was ruled out of bounds despite re-establishing himself in the field of play. That should’ve been six points.
To make matters worse, a missed offensive pass interference on Jaxon Smith-Njigba helped spring a Cooper Kupp touchdown. In a game this close, those missed calls loomed large.
Final Thoughts
The Falcons had a chance to keep their postseason hopes alive-and they let it slip away in a brutal second half. The loss wasn’t just about one bad quarter.
It was the culmination of a season where the same issues kept surfacing. Now, with the playoffs out of reach, Atlanta faces a long offseason full of big questions-starting with the coaching staff and a roster that needs retooling in key areas.
There’s talent here. There are building blocks.
But if the Falcons want to turn the corner, they’ll need more than flashes. They’ll need accountability, consistency, and a clear plan forward.
Because on Sunday, it became painfully obvious: what they’ve got right now isn’t enough.