On Sunday, the Chicago Bears traveled South and took down the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 27-13. The Falcons are reeling, having lost three consecutive games. Their record now stands at 2-4.
In the past two weeks the Atlanta Falcons had suffered multiple injuries to their offensive line. In fact, at one point, tight end Levine Toilolo had to take up the right tackle position, showing the true extent of the offensive line issues. While Toilolo was switched back to the tight end position for this match-up against Chicago, the Falcons really struggled to get anything going on offense. On top of that, the defense, which has been struggling for several seasons now, stood out as just as poor in what was an all-round disappointing game for the home side.
Atlanta did take the lead early with a Matt Bryant 52-yard field goal late on in the first quarter and the Chicago Bears did not score in the quarter. But from there on out it was all Chicago, much to do with quarterback Jay Cutler, who went for 381 yards and one touchdown. Cutler was aided by some very effective and hard running by experienced running back Matt Forte who ended the game with 80 rushing yards in 16 carries with two vital touchdowns along with 77 receiving yards from 10 receptions.
The Bears got on the board early in the second quarter thanks to some superb passing from Cutler and some rather weak defending from Atlanta. Cutler stormed down to the Atlanta redzone until his offense was stalled. Veteran kicker Robbie Gould hit a 25-yard field goal to tie up the game. It wasn’t long until the Bears offense was back in the Atlanta redzone, and despite the best efforts of the fans to make some noise and put off Jay Cutler, he was able to find receiver Josh Morgan for a three yard touchdown to take the 10-3 lead. Before halftime, Gould added another field goal to extend the lead to ten over an Atlanta team who had a very lackluster performance.
The strangely average offense of the Falcons never really got things going against the Bears. Matt Ryan ended the night with 271 yards, one touchdown and one interception while going 19 for 37. While he got credit for the passing touchdown, it was a play that was made completely by running back Antoine Smith. Early in the second half, Ryan sent a short throw out to Smith in the flat. The explosive running back did the rest, as he then took the ball 41-yards to the house. Then things really seemed to be happening for the Falcons when Matt Bryant slotted home a 54-yard field goal with apparent ease tie the game at 13. Unfortunately for the Falcons, it would be all Bears for the rest of the game.
On the very next drive, Cutler marched his offense right down the field thanks to some great catches from both Alshon Jeffery and Bradon Marshall along with some vital runs from Forte. It was Forte who capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown scamper. The Falcons were able to block the extra point, making the score 19-13.
Cutler and the Bears' offense continue to rip apart the Falcons' defense for the rest of the game. Forte scored another touchdown in the fourth quarter and Cutler threw a two point conversion to Martellus Bennett to make up for the blocked extra point.
The home side, who have now lost three games in a row, will travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens next week. The Ravens will likely be confident after their annihilation of the Bucs. After that, the Falcons are in London to face the Detroit Lions in the second of this year’s three NFL Wembley games.
At 2-4, these next stretch of games will be huge for the Falcons. They are a team with many holes, but they are also very talented. Led by Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White, the Falcons certainly have the potential to turn their season around quickly, and in a big way. That being said, the time for them to do so is now, before it is too late.