ATLANTA (AP) Even as they ve secured their first season with at least 10 losses since 2014, the Atlanta Falcons continue to be the masters of false hope.
The Falcons blew leads of 17-0 and 24-7 in Sunday s 31-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was Atlanta s fourth loss this season in which it squandered a fourth-quarter lead.
The Falcons (4-10) are assured of their most losses since a 6-10 finish in 2014. The record is woeful, but with better finishes the storyline could be much different.
If not for a few mind-numbing plays, including a botched onside kick against Dallas and Todd Gurley s unintentional touchdown against Detroit, the Falcons might be much closer to respectability.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Julio Jones lingering hamstring injury will keep him from playing in the Atlanta Falcons home finale.
The team ruled Jones out for Sunday s game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5).
The Falcons (4-9) also ruled out safety Riccardo Allen (concussion), cornerback Darqueze Dennard (quad) and defensive tackle Marlon Davidson (knee).
This will be the fifth game that Jones has missed with the hamstring issue, which first cropped up in Week 3.
Jones is assured of playing the second-fewest games of his 10-year career. He was limited to five games in 2013 by a season-ending foot injury.
Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) out vs LA Chargers - Dec. 11, 2020 01:46 PM EST New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson (21) stops Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones will miss his fourth game of the season because of a lingering hamstring injury.
The team ruled out Jones for Sunday s game in Los Angeles against the Chargers after he was held out of practice all week.
Two other starters safety Riccardo Allen (concussion) and offensive guard James Carpenter (groin) also will sit.