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The Falcons have certainly been hit with some bad luck so far this season. From losing Mike Johnson in preseason, to the season-ending injuries to Kroy Biermann, Bradie Ewing and Julio Jones, not to mention the extended absences of Steven Jackson, Roddy White, and Sean Weatherspoon, the injuries have undoubtedly been horrible, horrible luck. We're reminded of that bad luck every time that Julio Jones Visa commercial is aired.
I'm glad this Julio Jones commercial plays right after every Cardinals touchdown.
— Alex Welch (@alex__welch) October 27, 2013
But when a black cat crosses your path in pre-game, it's getting a little bit out of control.
There's a cat on the field. A black cat. Ran to the Falcons sideline. Not good. Get security. #ATLvsAZ
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) October 27, 2013
As @AJCFalcons pointed out, that black cat must have meant something ....
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) October 27, 2013
And when the Falcons are starting an offensive series inside their own one-yard line, and Tony Gonzalez is flagged for a false start, you know your luck is pretty terrible.
Of course Tony Gonzalez, the consummate pro, has a false start on the .0000001 yard line. That's what kind of game this is.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) October 27, 2013
And I won't even elaborate on this tweet regarding a possible injury to Matt Ryan.
Matt Ryan had his lower right leg heavily wrapped with ice.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) October 28, 2013
Atlanta's defense looked solid to start the game, but it all fell apart pretty rapidly.
Aside from the Palmer scramble, run D has been excellent early on.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
I'll shut my mouth now.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
FIX THIS MIKE NOLAN. FIX IT.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) October 27, 2013
It was a long day for the pass defense.
Trufant is currently imploding.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
Because sadness. RT @Swerve_Gotti Why does every QB we play prosper against us @TheFalcoholic?
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
I believe with that 51-yard play the Falcons just surrendered, that would make 10 plays of 40-plus yards given up by defense this season.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) October 27, 2013
During the game broadcast, it was revealed that the Atlanta defense had allowed opponents to score on 22 of 22 trips to the red zone. That's abysmal. Immediately after that stat was shared, the Falcons allowed a Carson Palmer touchdown pass to a wide-open Larry Fitzgerald.
That's what happens when you call Zone D with 7 DBs and only rush 3. Terrible defensive call.
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) October 27, 2013
I mean, going forward, let's try to cover Fitz in the end zone.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) October 27, 2013
Suffice it to say that the Falcons offensive line had a pretty rough day.
And Abraham gets a big sack to put us into halftime, because of course he does.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
When you get sacked by a man named Frostee, something has gone horribly awry.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
Five false starts? Did our offensive line put money on Arizona covering the spread?
— Atlanta Falcons Blog (@GritsBlitzBlog) October 27, 2013
And there was basically zero success rushing the ball.
You mean "run game." "@PreyaMargarita: Sigh. Our run game...."
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) October 27, 2013
You have eight carries to show you that Jackson can't get it going behind this line. It might be time to stop.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
The Ghost of Steven Jackson has carried the ball 11 times for two yards.
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) October 27, 2013
Matt Ryan was the Falcons' leading rusher with 13 yards so let that sink in for a minute.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) October 27, 2013
Tony Gonzalez is so good that teams have to basically physically assault him to cover him, and the refs are apparently totally fine with that.
They might as well let defenders run over Tony Gonzalez with a car
— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) October 27, 2013
Smitty said a few weeks back, the league said the gunner defense on TG would stop. He's not pleased about this. #ATLvsAZ
— Daniel Cox (@FalconsDCox) October 27, 2013
The Falcons offense continues to struggle in the red zone.
@LooneyTunesTRE might as well call it the blues zone at this point.
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) October 27, 2013
Matt Ryan has been great this season. He was not great yesterday, for myriad reasons. He did make a couple of bad decisions. Arizona seems to have Ryan's number for whatever reason. The offensive line was bad, and there was no help on the ground.
Wow too many passes jeez. RT @AJCFalcons: #Falcons QB Matt Ryan is 11 of 119 for 114 yards today. #ATLvsAZ
— Alex Welch (@alex__welch) October 27, 2013
Run Matty Run! No really. Run! #ATLvsAZ
— Shannan O (@shannanunc) October 27, 2013
Despite the fact that, aside from the loss to the Cardinals, Ryan is having an exceptional season, there seems to be a knee-jerk "trade Ryan" reaction that accompanies losses this year, and that is honestly not a good idea.
You can get me to say this season is basically over, but don't ask me to say the Falcons should get rid of Ryan. Nope. No thank you.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
No great receivers, a terrible line, and some questionable offensive play calling. So that means GET RID OF RYAN? #besmartpeople
— Adam Schultz (@AdamLSchultz) October 27, 2013
You don't trade a franchise QB who is putting up career numbers with an offense decimated by injuries. Bless your hearts.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) October 27, 2013
Special teams were a bright spot in a bad day. Robert McClain looked decent returning punts, Antone Smith proved why he continues to take up a roster spot despite rarely getting snaps at running back, and Matt Bosher recovered his own onside kick, which was ridiculous.
Robert McClain back to field the punt and goes down the sideline for a nice return! #ATLvsAZ
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) October 27, 2013
Maybe the hit Robert McClain just made on special teams will inspire the Falcons to play with a little more intensity all-around.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) October 27, 2013
Nice job by special teams to keep Peterson inside the 20. #ATLvsAZ
— Daniel Cox (@FalconsDCox) October 27, 2013
Antone Smith with another special teams tackle. Dude is tremendous in that role. Getting double teamed, too. #ATLvsAZ
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) October 27, 2013
Bosher recovers his own onside kick. #Falcons get the onside kick. 4:37 left. Ballsy play by Bosher. #Riseup #ATLvsAZ
— Falcons 101 (@Falcons_101) October 27, 2013
I love Bosher #ATLvsAZ
— Ms. Rise Up (@Shantigo) October 27, 2013
Onsides have been recovered three times this season. The Falcons have two of them. #ATLvsAZ
— Daniel Cox (@FalconsDCox) October 27, 2013
Someone needs to give @MattBosher5 a raise. He can tackle AND recover onside kicks! #RiseUp #ATLvsAZ
— The Andy Perry (@andyperry) October 27, 2013
Some fans have learned over the course of the season to take things in stride and look for the positives, although they seem to be few and far between.
@TheFalcoholic I'm doing 10 push ups for every crappy play the Falcons make. I'm getting ripped.
— Army Guard Recruiter (@RichardKBaxter1) October 27, 2013
At least we're better than the Bucs!
— Adam Schultz (@AdamLSchultz) October 27, 2013
The upside to a horrifying season like this: you finally get to see which young guys will step up when given the chance.
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) October 27, 2013
Don't go jumping off any cliffs, Falcons fans
— Alec Shirkey (@AShirkey) October 27, 2013
Some fans are developing other coping mechanisms, like drinking, or talking about beer and kittens, or imagining that the Falcons were replaced on the field by a high school team dressed as the Falcons for Halloween.
/gets in car, drives away slowly
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 27, 2013
@TheFalcoholic Today I learned whiskey and cider are a great mix, especially if you heat up the cider before mixing.
— Andrew Hirsh (@andrewhirsh) October 27, 2013
@TheFalcoholic: Let's make a movie about kittens lost in a brewing facility, Dave.
— Lindsay Crosby (@L_Crosby) October 27, 2013
I wanna dance the Julio. Beats watching the boys lose....:( #Riseup @Atlanta_Falcons
— Scott (@scottyfromga) October 27, 2013
I am going to need liquor and possibly Xanax to get through this season.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) October 27, 2013
I'm certain that the entire #Falcons team is sitting at ATL airport while these high schoolers dressed up as them 4 Halloween. #RiseUp
— Courtney (@CourtneyVK1) October 27, 2013
Ok, back to #Halloween festivities. Im about to watch Trick r' Treat on DVD. This game is too scary #ATLvsAZ #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/rfM6UM4XhZ
— Jason Henderson (@Ga_Jason) October 27, 2013