Falcons only 27% in third down conversions in last six games.
Nov 12, 2025
The Falcons’ third-down issues have been one of the core reasons for the team’s recent four-game swoon that has put the team’s playoff chances in jeopardy.
Since Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, which they won 24-14, the Falcons have struggled to make crucial conversions on third down, and it has gotten worse game by game. In the last game against the Indianapolis Colts, the Falcons failed to convert on third down at all.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed 42% of his passes last Sunday. There were no third-down conversions at all in that game. Penix Jr. was criticized for his lack of production in that game, but lack of communication and sketchy play calling were also cited for the poor offensive showing in Berlin last Sunday.
“[Everybody has] got to play better for him and around him,” said Falcons coach Raheem Morris after the game Sunday. “We’ve got to get everybody on the same page, everybody has to be the same way.”
The Falcons went 14 of 51 in 3rd down conversions since Week 6, a 27% successful completion rate over the last six games. Against the last two games against the Colts and Patriots, they were 1 of 18 in 3rd down conversions.
Coach Morris said today about this issue, “Our biggest problem right now is third down.” About the dismal showing against the Colts last Sunday, Penix Jr. thought his team needed better execution and paying closer attention to their opponent’s defensive looks. “I don’t feel like they showed us anything new or anything unexpected this past week,” he said.
Falcons’ offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said today that every third-down instance is different, and they would need to examine past performances to see where to improve.
“We got to get that stuff of the tape, for sure,” Robinson said.
This Sunday, the Falcons will face the Carolina Panthers, a team that will surely test their offensive line and try to capitalize on their 3rd down issues.
