Falcons Hit New Low in 37-9 Loss to Seahawks: Five Takeaways from a Spiraling Season
The Atlanta Falcons didn’t just lose on Sunday - they were overwhelmed. A 37-9 defeat at home to the Seattle Seahawks wasn’t just another tally in the loss column; it was a sobering reminder of just how far this team has to go. Now sitting at 4-9, the Falcons have dropped seven of their last eight games since that Week 6 win over Buffalo - and the cracks are no longer just showing, they’re widening.
Here are five key takeaways from a game that all but sealed another lost season in Atlanta.
1. Playoff Drought Reaches Eight Years
Let’s start with the big-picture reality: the Falcons are officially out of playoff contention - again. Sunday’s loss clinched their eighth straight losing season, extending a postseason drought that dates back to 2017.
That’s three head coaches - Dan Quinn, Arthur Smith, and now Raheem Morris - and zero playoff berths. For a franchise that was once a perennial contender in the NFC, this run of futility is hard to ignore.
The Falcons have been trying to reset the culture for years, but the results on the field continue to tell the same story.
2. Special Teams a Special Problem
It’s one thing to struggle offensively or defensively - but when special teams consistently underperform, it’s a full-team issue. On Sunday, the Falcons had a field goal blocked and allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
That’s back-to-back weeks with major miscues in the third phase of the game, following a rough outing against the Jets. Special teams coach Marquice Williams is under pressure, and understandably so, but this goes beyond coaching.
Execution has been lacking across the board, and the errors are costing Atlanta dearly.
3. James Pearce Jr. Keeps Flashing
If you’re looking for a silver lining, rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. continues to show why the Falcons traded up for him. He notched another sack on Sunday - his fifth straight game with at least one - bringing his season total to six.
That kind of consistency off the edge is rare for a rookie, and Pearce has become one of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak stretch. Still, his emergence hasn’t translated into wins, and with no first-round pick in 2026, Atlanta will need to find other ways to build around him.
4. Cousins, Offense Still Searching for Answers
Kirk Cousins’ stat line - 15-of-20 for 162 yards, two interceptions - doesn’t tell the full story, but it doesn’t inspire confidence either. The veteran quarterback wasn’t helped by his receivers, who dropped several key passes, but he also made some questionable throws.
The Falcons converted just one of 13 third-down attempts, a brutal number that underscores a season-long issue. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson hasn’t been able to solve the third-down riddle, and the offense continues to sputter at critical moments.
For a team that invested heavily in its quarterback, this isn’t the kind of production they were counting on.
5. Coaching Staff Under the Microscope
With another losing season all but wrapped, the questions about Raheem Morris and his staff are only getting louder. The Falcons have now endured back-to-back years with extended losing streaks, and the team’s inability to stop the bleeding is a glaring concern.
Whether or not a change is made before the end of the season remains to be seen, but it’s hard to envision this coaching group returning intact in 2026. The Falcons haven’t just lost games - they’ve lost direction.
And that’s the kind of thing that forces front offices to take a hard look at the top.
What’s Next?
The Falcons don’t have much time to regroup. They’ll head to Tampa Bay for a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Buccaneers, who are coming off a surprising home loss to the Saints.
With New Orleans gaining ground, Atlanta could find itself in the NFC South cellar before the season ends. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m.
ET on Amazon Prime.
There’s still football to be played, but the focus in Atlanta is already shifting to what comes next - and how this franchise can finally turn the page on a decade of disappointment.