Falcons look to history to help stop losing streak

The Falcons (6-7) will seek to get things turned around when they face the lowly Raiders (2-11) at 8:30 p.m. Monday at Allegiant Stadium.

“This is a different team, completely different scenario,” Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s hard to compare exactly what happened. All I know is that we started undefeated for a few weeks.”

Quinn had a talented offensive staff that featured wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, quarterbacks coach Mike LaFleur and offensive assistant Mike McDaniel. Morris was the assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator.

Shanahan’s offense started out hot with the emergence of running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman to go along with wide receiver Julio Jones. They averaged 406.2 yards and 32.4 points per game over the opening five games.

However, defenses caught up to Shanahan. After they reached 6-1, the Falcons dropped their next six games.

Over the six-game losing streak, the offense averaged 341.3 yards and 14.3 points per game. The Falcons closed out 2-1 to reach .500.

There has not been a common thread during the Falcons’ current losing streak.

They played the Saints (Nov. 10) and the Chargers (Dec. 1) tough before losing by three and four points, respectively. They were blown out by the Broncos 38-6 on Nov. 17. They were playing Minnesota tough, as things were tied 21-21 heading into the fourth quarter. They were outscored 21-0 for the final 41-21 margin last Sunday.

“It goes back to kind of what I said after the game, we are doing a lot of things really well,” Matthews said. “We just have to do them a little bit better to get wins at the end. Just fixing those little things as a group, I think we’ll like where we are at.”

One of Quinn’s old sayings was “Do right, longer.” That would seem to apply to the current Falcons.

“Yeah, I think it can,” said Matthews, who with Grady Jarrett are the only holdovers from the 2015. “I think we all can find a spot to where we can do right a little longer. Just as a team, find a way to get that done.”

Back in 2015, Falcons safety Jessie Bates III was just finding his way as a freshman at Wake Forest. But, during his time with the Bengals, he’s seen a long losing streak.

“Just keep talking about the good and the bad,” Bates said. “You try to make sure that nobody is pointing fingers. I’ve been a part of bad teams. I’ve been a part of good teams. When stuff goes bad, these good teams, they rally each other up. They get together and they figure out how to go 1-0 and just end the storm.”

The Falcons have not shown signs of fracturing.

“The other way around, I’ve been on bad teams and they start pointing fingers,” Bates said. “You start doing that, that’s when it keeps getting worse. Just like we lost four in a row. We can win four in a row and we’ll be happy I think if we can do that. Just having that mentality.”

The Falcons could point to the play of quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has not thrown a touchdown pass and has had eight interceptions during the four-game losing streak. They want to see the quarterback who passed for a career-high 509 yards earlier this season against Tampa Bay on Oct. 3.

“We’ve been fortunate to be able to rely on the running game,” Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. “The last couple games especially – we ran the football well against the Chargers, last week ran it really well. That’s always going to be a quarterback’s best friend.”

The Falcons are hoping that Cousins will rebound.

“Now, the quarterback has got to make some plays, but any time we can try to alleviate first and second down off the quarterback,” Robinson said. “We’ll definitely try to do that.”

The offense will get one break. Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is having ankle surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

Crosby was the Raiders sack leader with 7.5 and was tied for the league-lead in tackles for loss (17).

The defense has shown signs of slippage, too.

The Falcons’ secondary had a poor outing against the Vikings. They were beaten on several deep passes. They are preparing for a different passing attack which features tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. Also, former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is expected to start for the Raiders.

“Everything is going pretty good,” cornerback Mike Hughes told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We are trying to get the game plan down pat. Trusting in the process. Getting back to work. That’s the other part of it, getting back to work and getting ready to go.”

Hughes was not too concerned about possibly facing Ridder.

“We are focusing on ourselves,” Hughes said. “Obviously, we know who we are playing against. But I think it’s all about us getting back to what we do best. Just going out there and having fun.”

The secondary had several busted coverages against the Vikings.

“Yeah, we just all have to be on the same page,” Hughes said. “This week is all about getting back to what we do. All about focusing on us. Just going out there and executing.”

The Falcons are treating the game like a playoff matchup as they fight to reclaim the lead in the NFC South.

“We have to take one day and one game at a time,” Hughes said. “The rest will take care of itself. Once you start looking too far ahead, the little things will slip. So, we are taking it day-by-day. Week-by-week, and I think we’ll be alright.”

Opponents caught up to the 2015 offense and they never got things turned around. The current group of Falcons believe they can stop their slide.

“Don’t get to pointing fingers,” Bates insisted. “We’re in a storm right now. That’s the reality of it. Accept it. Own it. Try to do everything you can out there at practice, meeting rooms, walk throughs to change it.”