1. Younghoe Koo
Any kicker without Koo's accomplishments is already cut and the team looking for another answer. This isn't to suggest any player with Koo's ceiling is currently sitting in free agency. However, it wouldn't be difficult to find an upgrade over what Koo has been for the last five games. You simply cannot explain away his struggles as a bad game or simply a change in style.
There isn't a reason Koo should be missing the layups he did against the Saints or Chargers. Those misses cost Atlanta two wins that completely flipped the season. Yes, Kirk Cousins was supposed to be the solution and able to overcome the misses to put the Falcons in a position to win despite Koo's misses.
Still, there isn't going to be an answer that can be accepted if Koo misses another easy kick against Minnesota. The once extremely reliable part of Atlanta's game now seems to be a coin toss and it doesn't appear to be getting any better. Give Raheem Morris credit for having his player's back but it can only last so long. Cost the Falcons another game and the team is going to be forced to make a change.
2. Tyler Allgeier
The dynamic duo that Atlanta seemed to have in the backfield has switched to simply relying on Bijan Robinson. Outside of a nice game against the Saints, Allgeier has faded throughout the season. This comes as a surprise when the back was far more productive than Robinson for the first handful of games this season. His running style seemed to adjust far quicker to what offensive coordinator Zac Robinson wanted to do.
In the weeks since the production has faded and the team seems far more focused on getting Robinson the ball. This is more than fair when you look at what Bijan continues to do this season. For Allgeier to earn more carries he needs a big play early against the Vikings.
Touches are going to be limited and Allgeier must be able to take advantage. The back getting rolling along with Robinson changes this offense completely. You take pressure off Cousins and allow the quarterback to settle into the game and hopefully avoid the back-breaking turnovers of the past few weeks. Seeing Allgeier consistently stopped at the line of scrimmage and unable to create big plays has been surprising. That needs to change this week for Atlanta to pull off the upset.
3. Kaleb McGary
The Atlanta right tackle had arguably his worst game of the season against the Chargers. Just when it appeared the tackle was starting to return to form his status is back into question. Kirk Cousins doesn't help the offensive line with the fact he cannot move. The quarterback is going to shift in the pocket and use whatever space is created.
McGary as a pass blocker can be great at times with the very next turning into a traffic cop directing pressure into the backfield. Atlanta has an interesting decision to make at the position with McGary being a player the team could look to cut to save cap space in the offseason.
A game like this pushes the Falcons in that direction when it is hard to imagine getting much worse. The frustrating part of this is the fact McGary can be great when his footwork is focused and the tackle is locked in. How quickly it devolves and allows pressure to get home is confusing for a player who remains wildly inconsistent. At this point it is safe to say the next give games are likely to determine whether or no McGary has a future with the team.
4. Kyle Pitts
At this point it is hard to expect anything from the tight-end. Seeing Pitts have a great game or make a play is a tease to what Atlanta fans believed he could be. Making matters worse we are in year four and the pass catcher's rookie season was by far his best year. The year Matt Ryan was running for his life and the Falcons had no rushing attack to speak of was Kyle's best season.
Explaining it away as simply due to Arthur Smith and the injury is no longer going to cut it. We see when Kirk Cousins is scanning the field how often Pitts is far down progressions. If the Falcons are going to figure things out on offense they must turn back the clock on Pitts.
Make the tight-end an early part of your game and attempt to have him engaged in the offense. The lack of catches or plays designed for someone with such a huge size advantage is frustrating. Pitts is too talented to remain on the roster if you're not going to attempt to figure out how to use him in the gameplan more consistently. Otherwise, it is time to turn the page and move on.
