Atlanta Falcons mistakes prove costly

Photos by Jerome Dorn, Indahouse Photography

In a loss that most thought would surely be a W and a much needed first division victory (they are now 0-2 in the NFC South), the NFL Atlanta Falcons made winning impossible with basic mistakes that cost them the game against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers 23-20 in overtime.

With a record of 6-2 the Falcons go cross country this weekend to take on the San Francisco 49ers who lost on Sunday to St. Louis 27-6 and have been having major troubles of their own. Their starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick has struggled this season and the 2-6 49ers will bench him and insert backup quarter Blaine Gabbert against the Falcons.

However the Falcons have a lot of work to do to avoid the sloppy play and major mistakes they made before a crowd of 70,524 in the stands who booed their team in disbelief at the poor play they were witnessing. Tampa rookie quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston was impressive. and had no turnovers in spite of only 177 passing yards. He scored a running touch down and had no interceptions.

But the Falcons had many problems - eleven penalties -from interceptions, fumbles, a bad snap, bad handoff between Quarterback Matt Ryan and star running back Devonta Freeman. You name it and if it favored their opponent the Falcons unintentionally managed to do it on Sunday.

Fans are hoping fo redemption in San Francisco before the bye week and a much needed rest for the Birds before they host the 3-5 Indianapolis Colts November 22. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Colts on Monday night football in overtime and sit atop the NFC South Division with an unblemished record of 7-0.

As the chants from fans ring loud Rise Up Falcons Rise Up! the next few games are against teams with subpar records and a chance for the Falcons to return to their winning ways.