The Atlanta Falcons have reached their bye week looking for answers after a difficult stretch. Their 35-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday dropped them to 3-7 and marked their third consecutive defeat. The Falcons have now lost five of their past six games.
Atlanta had shown signs of momentum earlier in the season. Michael Penix Jr. returned in Week 3 after recovering from a torn ACL the previous year, and the team went on to win back-to-back games. But that brief run of success has not continued, and the Falcons’ recent struggles have raised questions about whether opposing defenses are beginning to anticipate their approach.
During the CBS broadcast, former defensive lineman J.J. Watt highlighted one possible reason. He pointed to a pre-snap tendency involving Atlanta’s starting right tackle, Jawaan Taylor, and explained how Taylor’s hand placement could offer clues about the play the Falcons are about to run.
## J.J. Watt Identifies a Possible Tell
Watt said he had noticed a pattern in Taylor’s stance while preparing for the game. By observing where Taylor placed his hands before the snap, Watt suggested that it was possible to distinguish between a run play and a pass play.
A pre-snap tell can give a defense useful information before the ball is in motion. If a player’s stance or positioning changes consistently based on the play call, opponents may be able to use that detail to anticipate what is coming. Watt’s observation was a reminder that small details can matter in a sport where players and coaches study film closely.
The former defensive lineman shared his analysis during the broadcast, bringing attention to Taylor’s positioning in front of a national audience. The observation does not, by itself, establish how often the tendency appears or whether opposing defenses have already acted on it. Still, it gives Atlanta something to review as the team looks to improve after its recent losses.
For an offense, even a subtle cue can become a concern if opponents recognize it. Defensive players may be able to react more quickly or adjust their assignments when they believe they have identified a likely run or pass. That makes pre-snap habits a regular focus for players and coaches, particularly when a tendency becomes noticeable on film or during a live broadcast.
## The Bye Week Offers Time to Adjust
The Falcons now have a bye week before returning to action. That pause gives the team additional time to review its performance and work with Taylor on any habits that could reveal information to the defense.
Atlanta could also use the opportunity to make its pre-snap looks less predictable. If opponents are looking for a particular hand placement, varying the setup could make it harder to interpret what the Falcons intend to do. The team may be able to keep the same play options while changing the visual cues that appear before the snap.
The Falcons’ next game is scheduled for Nov. 29, when they travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings. Minnesota’s defense is described as the NFL’s top unit and is known for using frequent blitzes, making the matchup a demanding one for Atlanta’s offense. The time between games gives the Falcons a chance to prepare for that challenge and address any tendencies opponents might exploit.
Watt’s broadcast observation does not explain Atlanta’s full run of losses, but it highlights one detail the team can examine during the break. With the Falcons at 3-7 and seeking a way to regain momentum, improving their execution and limiting predictable signals could be part of the work ahead.
