ATLANTA (AP) — Irrespective of how dangerous issues may need appeared per week in the past, the Atlanta Falcons in some way managed to make it even worse.

Yep, one other epic fourth-quarter collapse.

This one might spell the tip for embattled coach Dan Quinn, who already carried the burden of the most important squandered lead in Tremendous Bowl historical past.

The Falcons surrendered a 16-point benefit within the last 6 half of minutes to the Chicago Bears, who bought three landing passes from backup quarterback Nick Foles and pulled out a 30-26 win on Sunday.

It will have appeared downright inconceivable – if it hadn’t occurred for the second week in a row.

Atlanta (0-3) turned the primary group in NFL historical past to lose back-to-back video games through which it led by 15 or extra factors within the last interval, in accordance with STATS.

”These final two weeks have been nothing in need of crushing,” mentioned Quinn, the sixth-year coach who desperately wanted a robust begin to the season after two straight shedding campaigns.

Per week in the past, Atlanta turned a nationwide laughingstock after failing to pounce on an onside kick, permitting the Dallas Cowboys to complete off their comeback from a 39-24 deficit to win 40-39 on a area aim as time expired.

”It does not get no worse than this,” defensive finish Dante Fowler Jr. mentioned. ”We most likely discovered the 2 worst methods you may lose a soccer sport.”

Beneath Quinn, the Falcons additionally wasted a 28-Three lead within the Tremendous Bowl after the 2016 season and misplaced in extra time to the New England Patriots.

Quinn confronted questions on his job safety after the most recent debacle. He insisted that he is solely targeted on turning issues round.

”I must be the identical man on our greatest days and on our worst days,” Quinn mentioned. ”Something previous that doesn’t assist the group. All I can concentrate on is us ending higher. That is the place my focus must be.”

This time, it was Foles who guided the inconceivable comeback after relieving erratic Mitchell Trubisky within the third quarter, pushing the Bears to 3-Zero for the primary time since 2013.

The previous Tremendous Bowl MVP received it with a 28-yard landing move to Anthony Miller with 1:53 remaining.

”Fairly particular,” mentioned tight finish Jimmy Graham, who had a pair of landing catches. ”He was on the market ad-libbing a bit for certain and checking and altering some performs. There’s one play he referred to as, I am like, ‘We bought that?’ So it was fairly cool to see and fairly cool to be part of.”

Foles had two obvious landing passes overturned by official critiques – and nonetheless managed to tug out the victory.

He tossed a 3-yard landing move to Graham to make it 26-16 with 6:20 to go. The Falcons nonetheless appeared in fine condition after the Bears failed on a 2-point try.

However Chicago bought the ball again and moved rapidly down the sphere. Foles linked with Allen Robinson on a brief move that changed into a 37-yard landing when Isaiah Oliver and Blidi Wreh-Wilson each missed tackles, permitting the receiver to scoot down the sideline.

After the Falcons went three-and-out on their third straight possession, Foles heaved one down the center of the sphere with a rusher in his face. Miller hauled it in for the successful rating.

The Falcons nonetheless had a shot, however Matt Ryan’s move was intercepted by Tashaun Gipson to seal it.

Foles completed 16 of 29 for 188 yards. Trubisky, the No. 2 total decide within the 2017 draft, was 13 of 22 for 128 yards, one landing and one interception. He was sacked twice.

Brian Hill and Todd Gurley every ran for a landing and Ryan linked with Hayden Hurst on a brief TD move that helped stake the Falcons to their seemingly comfy lead.

In fact, no lead is secure for the Falcons.

Particularly with Foles recapturing among the magic he had in guiding the Philadelphia Eagles to the Tremendous Bowl title three seasons in the past after changing the injured Carson Wentz.

Foles spent one injury-plagued season in Jacksonville, then was acquired by the Bears to place some warmth on the disappointing Trubisky.

Trubisky arrange Chicago’s first landing with the second-longest run of his profession, a 45-yarder after the Falcons deserted the all the center of the sphere. He linked on Graham on a 2-yard scoring move to tug the Bears inside 16-10 at halftime.

However Foles bought his likelihood after Trubisky threw an interception within the third quarter that led to a Falcons area aim, pushing the result in 26-10.

Story continues

”It sort of occurred out of nowhere,” Trubisky mentioned. ”I simply accepted the information. I had Nick’s again like he is had mine. The scenario sucked, but it surely was simply the movement of the sport and the way it occurred and coach made the choice that he felt was greatest for the group.”

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Foles pushed the Bears down the sphere on his first possession, connecting with Robinson on a play that was initially dominated a 21-yard landing move though Darqueze Dennard got here away with the ball. After reviewing the replay, the officers dominated that Robinson by no means had management and awarded an interception to Dennard.

With slightly below 11 minutes remaining, Foles delivered one other obvious landing on fourth down, connecting over the center to Miller on a 17-yard throw. However a replay confirmed the receiver trapped the ball in opposition to the turf, turning the ball over to the Falcons on downs.

Seems, Foles was simply getting warmed up.

INJURY REPORT

Bears: RB Tarik Cohen left the sport within the second half with a knee harm. S Sherrick McManis was knocked out by an ailing hamstring.

Falcons: The Falcons performed with out six starters, together with WR Julio Jones (hamstring). Additionally lacking had been LB Foye Oluokun (hamstring), OT Kaleb McGary (knee), DE Takk McKinley (groin), S Ricardo Allen (elbow) and CB A.J. Terrell (COVID-19 reserve checklist). The Falcons then misplaced WR Russell Gage (concussion) within the first half, and DT Grady Jarrett (hip) hobbled off within the second half.

UP NEXT

Bears: Return house to face the Indianapolis Colts subsequent Sunday.

Falcons: Head to Lambeau Subject to tackle the Inexperienced Bay Packers in a Monday night time sport to complete off Week 4.

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Observe Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963 and discover his work at https://apnews.com/search/paulnewberry

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