The Atlanta Falcons are the definition of almost

If you look up the definition of “almost” in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of the Atlanta Falcons logo.

The Falcons never have two things that go to together. Last year the offense struggled and the defense got into a groove to lead them into the postseason. This year, the Falcons resemble something closer to a Big 12 team.

Once again, the offense was lights out. Matt Ryan went 29-for-39, 419 yards, and three touchdowns in a last-second 36-37 loss to the Bengals. In their 43-37 overtime loss last week against the New Orleans Saints, Ryan went 26-for-35, 374 yards, and a career-high FIVE touchdowns.

Over the past two weeks, Matt Ryan has gone 55-for-74 (74% completion rate), 793 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The Falcons have nothing to show for it.

Right as Matt Ryan and second year offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian got on the same page, the defense fell apart. Starting safeties Keanu Neal (torn ACL) and Ricardo Allen (torn Achilles) are done for the season. Starting linebacker Deion Jones was put on short term injured reserve after suffering an injury to his foot in week one.

The Falcons opted to stay with home-grown talent and it paid off to the tune of 104 allowed points over the last three games. They’ve given 80 points in the last two games — two HOME games.

One week after letting Drew Brees throw and spin his way to five touchdowns, Atlanta let Andy Dalton shred them through the air. Dalton hit eight different receivers on his way to 29-for-41, 337 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

That’s terrible!

The offense is approaching what they were doing in their almost-magical 2016 season, yet they have only one win to show for it. With their extremely banged up defense, the Falcons are in a position where they have to score an obscene amount of points just to stay competitive. Sure, the offense has been up to the task, but that’s just not enough to hang with any team right now.

Atlanta was a team with Super Bowl aspirations, but that dream is dead after starting off 1-3 in a competitive NFC South.

I guess there’s always next year.