Falcons vs. Panthers: a quick look at the state of the Falcons ahead of their Week 5 matchup

The Falcons play their first divisional game today against the 2-2 Panthers. The team and its fan base are rolling into Week 5 emotionally exhausted, and frankly, it feels like we’re already 2-3 months into the season. But truth be told, only a month has elapsed since the Falcons kicked off their 2020 campaign.

We’ve talked about this ad nauseum already, but it’s likely going to get harder for the Falcons before it gets easier. There are just too many fundamental flaws this team can’t work through in time to make a difference. We’re 4 games into a lost season. And even if the Falcons manage to rattle off a few wins over the next couple of months, there will be no denying the cold hard reality that this team is fundamentally flawed, or at least its coaching staff and schemes are. The Falcons are a train wreck and because they’re 0-4, there’s added pressure to make something happen. That is likely to exacerbate an already bad situation.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention head coach Dan Quinn. His seat is about as hot as a head coach’s seat can get in the NFL. Arthur Blank has been reluctant to pull the trigger, but if the Falcons lose today, he may be forced into taking action. In a perfect world, he’d send Thomas Dimitroff packing as well, but something tells me our spiky-haired, bike shorts wearing general manager will find a way to survive these shenanigans.

Meanwhile, the Friday injury report was less than ideal. The good news is that both Younghoe Koo and Foye Oluokun were full participants. The bad news is Jaylinn Hawkins was officially ruled out (concussion) and Julio Jones is still trying to shake the hamstring injury he suffered in fourth grade. What’s more, a laundry list of Falcons (Ricardo Allen, Calvin Ridley, Keanu Neal, Marlon Davidson, Grady Jarrett, and Takk McKInley) were limited participants in Friday’s practice.

Your thoughts about the state of the franchise headed into Week 5, Falcoholics?