The focus after the Atlanta Falcons’ convincing Monday Night Football win should be on a team that finally looks like a legitimate playoff contender. But with a short week ahead and a cross-country trip for another primetime matchup in San Francisco, Raheem Morris doesn’t have much time to make a couple of critical decisions.
The most pressing issue is the Falcons’ kicking situation. Parker Romo had a crucial field goal attempt blocked on Monday night — a kick that barely cleared four feet off the ground and appeared to be sailing well left. The miss dropped him to 8-for-11 on the season since taking over for Younghoe Koo, but he’s just 3-for-6 since his perfect 5-for-5 performance in Week 2 against the Vikings.
Romo hasn’t been reliable enough for a team with playoff aspirations. Atlanta must continue searching for alternative options, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Falcons have a new kicker in uniform when they take the field for Sunday Night Football against the 49ers.
The other major concern involves Jake Matthews. The Falcons’ ironman left tackle exited Monday’s game at halftime with an ankle injury and never returned — an ominous sign for his Week 6 availability.
In his absence, Michael Jerrell — acquired in a trade with the Seahawks before Week 1 after Kaleb McGary’s season-ending injury — filled in and performed admirably. He might have to start again on Sunday night, as the Falcons’ tackle situation becomes increasingly grim.
McGary is out for the season, Matthews is banged up, and swing tackle Storm Norton is also dealing with an ankle injury. That leaves Atlanta down its top three tackles — not an ideal position for any team, let alone one protecting a first-year starting quarterback.
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Photo: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire