[OPINION] Atlanta’s attempt to copy the Seahawks has failed miserably

The Atlanta Falcons showed us on Sunday that 2020 isn’t as far away from “normal” as we previously thought. Up 26-7 on the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter, Falcons fans had to be thinking, much like they were in the infamous Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, this game is over.

But, then again, it’s Atlanta.

I told myself before this season began that I would try to avoid “prisoner of the moment” takes when it came to coaching decisions or veteran players appearing to decline. I believed then that the coronavirus and subsequent pandemic should be considered before jumping the gun.

However, Sunday’s loss should lead to one thing, and one thing only: the firing of Dan Quinn.

In line with what Shannon Sharpe said yesterday, I do not know how Dan Quinn made it on the plane back to Atlanta.

The idea that three Atlanta Falcons watched as former Falcon, C.J. Goodwin, recovered the onside kick that would put Dallas in position to win the game had me scratching my head in front of my television.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, since 1933, teams had been 440-0 when scoring 39 points with zero turnovers.

Inexcusable. Unexplainable. Indefensible.

The Chicago Bears, which didn’t believe in its own quarterback enough not to sign Nick Foles, are 2-0. The Atlanta Falcons, with a first-round pick at every position on offense, are 0-2. And, much like an argument between two sorority sisters, I am so done.

Ironically, the two play each other next week, and had you told me prior to the season that the records of each team would be what they are, I would have laughed in your face.

Dallas came into Sunday missing both offensive tackles, and all Dak Prescott did was overcome 4 fumbles by his team, a 20-point deficit, and horrendous early play calling to become the first offensive player in NFL history to throw for 400 yards and rush for 3 touchdowns in the same game.

Dan Quinn (who if you remember was the defensive coordinator of the Legion of Boom in Seattle during the Seahawks’ early success under Pete Carroll and served in the same role with the Florida Gators prior to that) allowed 367 yards and 4 touchdowns in the second half.

I honestly wish Nick Saban could send enough players to the NFL each year that the Falcons could field a team full of ex-Alabama football players. While that’s an unrealistic expectation, at least I’d know for certain, the attention to detail that’s necessary to finish games and beat a team that you should beat would be prevalent throughout the locker room.

We’ll see how the Falcons respond moving forward.

A Michael Thomas injury in New Orleans, a terrible defense in Carolina, and Tampa’s uncertain chemistry (although they appeared to be just fine Sunday) combined with an extra wild-card spot in the playoffs this year, means the Falcons aren’t done just yet. However, 62% of teams that start 2-0 make the playoffs. At 0-2, that number drops to a staggering 12%.

The Falcons have their work cut out. Should Atlanta lose to the Chicago; Green Bay follows, and the Falcons could easily find themselves 0-4 and scratching their heads; much like my, and their entire fan base’s reaction on Sunday afternoon.

Jon Strait is a contributor for FOX Sports Central Alabama and RadioAlabama Sports covering the NFL.