ATLANTA — For the second consecutive week, the Atlanta Falcons suffer a crushing comeback loss, this time falling 30-26 to the Chicago Bears and sit 0-3 for the 2020 NFL season.
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn on what he said to his players following the loss, “I said this last two-week stretch is about as tough as it can get, and I do feel that way. When you have chances to go win it and you come out on the other end, they definitely hurt.” Quinn continued saying, “So basically what we’ve came down to, to say it’s not ok and how do we find ways to finish better, and that’s where our emphasis will be headed into this week because there’s plenty out there for us but we’ve got to be able to finish. It’s been a tough two-game stretch for this team, especially how the last two have ended.”
Heading into the game, the Falcons knew they would be without several key contributors, including star wide receiver Julio Jones for the contest against the Bears.
Atlanta didn’t play like they were missing players early on, however, getting out to a 6-0 lead on their first drive after Matt Ryan connected with receiver Calvin Ridley for a 63-yard completion down to the one-yard line. Ryan would cap the drive off with a one-yard completion to tight end Hayden Hurst for the score, and a missed extra point would keep the lead at 6.
Both teams would trade field goals to make the score 9-3, and the Falcons would look to find separation in the second quarter. Running back Brian Hill would find that separation on a long 35-yard touchdown. Hill was solid for Atlanta despite the loss, rushing nine times for 58-yards and proving to be a great complimentary back to Todd Gurley.
The Bears would get into the endzone on a pass from Mitch Trubisky to tight end Jimmy Graham, and both teams would go to the locker room with Atlanta leading 16-10.
Getting the ball first to start the second half, the Falcons would pick up right where they left off and march right down the field and into the end zone with a 10-yard scoring run by lead running back Todd Gurley. Gurley had his best game in a Falcons uniform, rushing 14 times for 84-yards and the touchdown to give Atlanta a 23-10 lead.
The Falcons would add another field goal to make the lead 26-10 at the end of the third quarter, where the Chicago comeback would begin.
The Bears made the decision to bench Trubisky for veteran Nick Foles, who would lead a nine-play scoring drive capped off by a three-yard pass to Jimmy Graham. Chicago would fail the two-point conversion, making the score 26-16 with 6:24 left to play.
The Falcons would go three and out, electing not to run the ball and take much time off the clock, and the Bears would quickly score on a long 37-yard pass from Foles to top receiver Allen Robinson to bring the Bears within three points with 4:29 left in the game.
On almost a repeat of the previous drive, the Falcons would once again go three and out, and Chicago would march down the field and score to put the finishing touches on another crushing Falcons defeat with a 28-yard strike from Foles to Anthony Miller to give us a final score of 30-26.
The loss now moves the Falcons to 0-3 on the 2020 season, and after consecutive fourth-quarter collapses, the season looks to be in free fall unless something changes fast.
Atlanta will next play on Monday Night Football when they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.
