Falcons’ loss to Dolphins just brought a glaring Zac Robinson issue back to life
Only the Atlanta Falcons can follow up consecutive victories with back-to-back losses while being held to just 10 points in both contests. The offensive inconsistency has been stark under Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson, and the Week 8 loss to the Dolphins was no different.
The 34-10 defeat marked the Dirty Birds' second-most embarrassing defeat of the season, and the offense enjoyed another dismal performance. Kirk Cousins looked terrible starting in place of Michael Penix Jr., and teams are beginning to adjust to combat Zac Robinson's run-heavy scheme.
Without Penix and Drake London, the offense looked arguably worse than it did in Carolina—and this occurred against another one of the NFL's worst defenses. Fans have started to turn on Robinson and Raheem Morris, and after that disasterclass, it's not particularly hard to see why.
Falcons' dry spell confirms that Zac Robinson has go to go
For a coach that comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, the 39-year-old hasn't taken enough of those lessons with him to Atlanta. Even without London, there is no excuse for an offense with this much talent to be held to three points until garbage time.
Entering Sunday, the Falcons ranked seventh in the NFL in total yards per game, yet were averaging just 18.8 points per game—good for 28th in the league. The red zone woes and failure to cap off long drives have been a problem for weeks, but now it's becoming impossible to ignore.
His move to the sidelines quickly paid dividends, but has failed to recapture that same effect in Weeks 7 and 8. The Dolphins' vulnerable run defense kept Bijan Robinson in check while holding Atlanta to a season-low 211 total yards—and San Francisco slowed down the run game last week.
Moreover, his decision to run the offense out of the pistol has been met with constant controversy. Penix's sheer arm strength already has him among the best play-action QB's in the NFL, and Robinson's play-calling is limiting his effectiveness in that area.
Against the Phins, Penix was clearly missed, as Cousins could not connect with anyone not named Kyle Pitts. He was held to just 173 passing yards, and Robinson's ineptitude could be the reason the veteran struggled and likely diminished his trade value.
Falcons fans have been known to turn on coordinators quickly, and like a former Atlanta OC in Steve Sarkisian, Robinson could benefit from a transition to the college level as Oklahoma State continues to pursue him. Either way, the second-year OC has found himself on the hot seat after another weak performance.
Falcons Eye NFC South Rebirth Amidst Rivals' QB Shakeups
The Atlanta Falcons are seeing a potential opportunity to seize control of the NFC South, with their rivals making unexpected quarterback changes that could disrupt their seasons. Despite their own struggles, including a disappointing 34–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Falcons are within striking distance of the division lead, thanks to puzzling moves by their competitors.
The New Orleans Saints recently made a surprising switch, benching starting quarterback Spencer Rattler in favor of Tyler Shough. While Rattler had been performing decently, this sudden change has raised questions about the Saints' offensive direction.
“Any time there’s a shakeup like that, it affects the rhythm of the team,” said Falcons quarterback Jaxson Dart. “We know how crucial consistency is at the quarterback position, and it will be interesting to see how the Saints adjust moving forward.”
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers have their own quarterback issues. Rookie Bryce Young, who had been showing flashes of brilliance, is expected to miss time due to injury. This leaves the Panthers without their star rookie, placing even more pressure on their offense to compete in the division.
“Injuries happen, and we’ve all had to adjust,” said Falcons wide receiver Drake London. “We can’t control what’s going on with the other teams, but we know this is our chance to capitalize and put ourselves in a good position.”
The Falcons are focused on their Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots, a game that could have significant implications for their season. With starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. recovering from a knee injury, veteran Kirk Cousins will take the helm. Cousins, who was brought in to provide stability, will need to perform at a high level for the Falcons to maintain their playoff hopes.
“It’s about focusing on what we can control,” said Cousins, looking ahead to the Patriots game. “We know the division is up for grabs, and we have to take care of business every week. I’m ready to step in and give this team what it needs.”
As the NFC South remains tightly contested, the Falcons know they must capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding their rivals. Their ability to adjust to their own quarterback situation and take advantage of their rivals’ struggles will be crucial to their success in the coming weeks.
“It’s a big opportunity for us,” said head coach Raheem Morris. “The players understand that we can’t wait for things to fall into place — we have to go out and make it happen. We’re focused on taking this division back.”
The next few games could determine whether the Falcons can turn this opportunity into a playoff push or let it slip away.
