Falcons’ report card: Michael Penix Jr. needs to figure out third downs

Here are the Falcons grades after the 31-25 loss to the Colts.

Quarterback

Penix continued to struggle on third downs. They were 0-of-8, and that stifled several drives. Penix completed only 12 of 28 passes (42.8%) for 177 yards and a touchdown. He finished with a subpar passer rating of 76. He was also sacked three times and took a big hit on a blitz when tight end Kyle Pitts didn’t run the hot route he was expecting. “I don’t know,” Penix said when asked about their third down woes. “It’s something we’ve got to figure out. … It starts with me.” Grade: F

Running backs

The Falcons got their rushing attack back on track after being held under 100 yards rushing in the past three games. Bijan Robinson had 17 carries for 84 yards, and Tyler Allgeier had 11 rushes for 57 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons ran 29 times for 140 yards. Robinson caught only two passes for two yards. He was blown up on a screen when Drake London missed his block. Grade: B

Wide receivers/tight ends

London caught 6-of-8 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown. Darnell Mooney had eight targets and caught only one pass. He had a key drop with under a minute to play when the Falcons were trying to quickly get into field goal range with 25 seconds to play. Pitts also had a drop early in the game that could have been a big gainer. Grade: C

Offensive line

Right guard Chris Lindstrom made the start and Kyle Hinton held things down for Matthew Bergeron at the left guard spot. The Falcons paved the way in the run game, but gave up three sacks and three quarterback hits. The line paved the way on the punishing touchdown drive to take the lead with 1:44 to go. Grade: C-plus

Defensive line

David Onyemata led the way up front with seven tackles. Brandon Dorlus and Zach Harrison both had sacks. They played well in pass rushing situations, but couldn’t get off their blocks to help more against Jonathan Taylor. Grade: C

Linebackers

James Pearce had a sack/strip, and Jalon Walker recovered the fumble. The two rookies are starting to figure things out. Inside linebacker J.D. Bertrand had a big stop of Taylor on a fourth down. Elliss was a factor and probably did the best job on Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who caught eight of 10 targets for 99 yards. But they didn’t do enough in the run game against Taylor. Grade: D

Secondary

Dee Alford, who started outside with Mike Hughes out with a neck injury, was in coverage along with rookie safety Xavier Watts on the Colts first touchdown play. The Colts were kept under wraps after that touchdown pass. Alec Pierce got free for four catches for 84 yards. Keith Taylor came in for Alford after he left with a concussion. Watts led the Falcons with 12 tackles and Bates had nine as Taylor was rumbling through the defense. Grade: C

Special teams

The Colts gashed the Falcons coverage units. With the game on the line, Ameer Abdullah broke free for a 49-yard return to set up the Colts on the fringe of game-tying field goal range. The Colts averaged 10.7 yards on three punt returns and 34.8 yards on four kickoff returns. “We have to make tackles,” Morris said. “We have to hold leverage. We can’t punt the ball down the middle of the field. There are a bunch of different things that go down there. We have to go down there and make tackles, get those guys on the ground, particularly when it’s winning time and we had an opportunity to win and we give them a big (kickoff) return, allowed those guys to get in field goal range and put that thing in overtime.”

Special teamer Mike Ford had one special teams tackle.

“He just made a play,” Ford said. “Made some cuts and got up the field. We’ve got to be better staying in our lane and maintaining lane integrity. Just making those plays that come to us.”

In addition to Abdullah’s return, the Falcons gave up a 50-yarder earlier in the game.

“I just think the guy made a couple of good plays,” Ford said. “He cut it outside, ran away from our leverage and kind of made the play. We all have to play our leverage. If we are on the right side, players have to make left shoulder tackles. Players on the left have to make right shoulder tackles. It’s just playing complimentary of one another.”

New kicker Zane Gonzalez made all of his kicks, including a 43-yard field goal. Grade: F

Coaching

The Falcons haven’t figured out what to do on third downs. The Colts outfoxed them on the kickoff returns by getting outside for gains of 50 and 49 yards. The run defense has been an issue over the four-game losing streak. Failures on offense, defense and special teams usually lead to a defeat. Grade: D