Offense needs a spark...

QB Matt Ryan scanning the field: Photo by Getty Images

I kind of felt like coming into this past week's game versus the Green Bay Packers (5-0) at the Georgia Dome was going to be a blowout by the defending Super Bowl Champs. Well, it wasn't a blowout if you look at the score, but was a blowout if you look at the stat sheet. In the first two drives for the Falcons (2-3), they went a total of 180 yards and two scores. Up by 14, and also causing a fumble recovery, all was going well, right? Well, at that moment, yes, but that was the end of the momentum for the home team. The rest of the game the offensive players looked flat. It was as if the Falcon's offense digressed from that point. All the media outlets are saying it's not the players, because the Falcons have the talent. And that's right, the team does have the talent.

All the fire is on all the coaching staff, including Head Coach Mike Smith. Smith doesn't necessarily call all the plays, that's the coordinators responsibilities, but he has a say so. Lets start with the offense first. It's offensive coordinator Mike Mularky's responsibility to get the offense going, but he doesn't. He is conservative in his play calling. Even his reverse gagit plays are predictable. Mularky has been offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and head coach for the Buffoalo Bills. Both times given his walking papers for conservative playcalling. At the half of the Green Bay game, the Falcons were up 14-13, but I felt the game was already over. Hoping that the team would adjust and come back out of the tunnel in the second half firing on all selenders. Not the case, no adjustents. I have noticed when quarterback Matt Ryan calls the huddle, production is down. Those plays are coming from the sideline. When Ryan goes no huddle, he is calling the plays, and changing them up often as he sees what the defense is giving him. Word to Mularky, Ryan is mature enough in the offense, so untie the ropes, and let Ryan call plays more as he sees them. First two games of the season, Ryan was sacked 14 times. The offensive line could not keep Ryan on his feet. But now Ryan is getting better protection, giving him more time to throw. But more needs to be done, lets spice up the offense. I will tell you this, I imagine the players would tell you that as well.

Not much to say on defense. For the time that I can remember being a Falcons fan, the Falcons have been in the bottom of the league on defense. So, what's the difference this year, nothing? All I can say is , pressure, pressure, pressure, and more pressure. Defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder is also conservative. It's as if they play prevent, bend but don't break, all game. No fire at all.

But what concerns fans overall is the coaching staff does not think that anything is wrong. There doesn't seem a concern to change on the coaches part. All we hear is things need to be done, and they will get done. That doesn't help when nothing is getting done. If things do not change, look for both coordinators to be walking away from Flowery Branch during the offseason, and new coordinators in place for next year.

Up next for the Falcons is a home date withe I-85 rival, Carolina Panthers (1-4) at 1pm on this Sunday.