Atlanta looks to get back to .500 vs. Redskins
Head coach Dan Quinn admitted Wednesday that the Atlanta Falcons coaches and players look at the season reset differently than the media and fans. The Falcons don’t necessarily see this week’s opportunity to get to the .500 level as a necessity.
“I think for (the media) and the fans, you probably look more at the big picture than what the team does,” Quinn said. “For us, you just throw everything you can into this game. Now you’re back to .500 or whatever.”
A win over the NFC East-leading Washington Redskins would get Atlanta (3-4) back to even and improve their chances to make a second-half playoff run.
It won’t be easy. The Falcons are on the road for the next two weeks and have only three home games the rest of the season. The Falcons are a different club at home, where they average 32.2 points, and on the road, where they average only 14.5.
“Here’s the big picture, but then you bring it down into this week, this game, these matchups,” Quinn said. “That’s where we go. It’s good to talk about the big picture.
“Here’s where we’re at and here are the lessons that we have to apply into the second half of the season. Now you have to make your aims smaller and smaller. Now it’s full speed ahead and the process of getting ready for Washington.”
The Redskins bring a unique set of problems for Atlanta to face. Washington has a strong running game and it plays a physical brand of defense that denies the run and gets after the quarterback.
“I’d have to say I’m impressed by a number of their guys, but I’m really impressed by inside, the defensive tackles,” Quinn said. “They play really square and strong.”
Quinn cited Jonathan Allen (38 tackles, four sacks), Da’Ron Payne (41 tackles, three sacks) and Matt Ioannidis (21 tackles, 5.5 sacks).
“It’s not the first team that’s had big guys inside and some people say against us we’re going to try to stop the edges or there are some ops inside or how do you still get the ball outside,” Quinn said. “We’re going to find ways to do that, but I am impressed by their style.”
SERIES HISTORY: 25th regular-season meeting. Redskins lead series, 14-9-1, but Atlanta has won the last five contests. Atlanta won the last meeting 25-19 in OT in 2015 in Atlanta. The Falcons won the last meeting in Washington 24-17 in 2012.
