The Falcons started the 2018 season with Super Bowl aspirations, but after 15 games they have an abysmal 6-9 record. There’s plenty of blame to go around.

ESPN’s Vaughn McClure discussed the Falcons’ 2018 season at length with some of the team’s key players, including Pro Bowl center Alex Mack.

While Mack is just as frustrated as everyone else, he clearly believes in the current system. Execution has been the issue according to the ten-year veteran.

I think it all comes down to any scheme will work if everyone’s doing the right thing and working hard and getting better, and on the same page. . . I think it’s more about how players perform with the plays that are called and getting a groove and moving forward than it is pure X’s and O’s.

Mack has been known to toe the company line and as a team leader, he isn’t going to publicly criticize the coaching staff. However, if you consider the fact the Falcons won a playoff game in each of the previous two seasons – including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2016 – it’s hard to place the blame on the scheme.

You never want to give a team an excuse for losing, particularly when they have their starting quarterback and arguably the best receiver in the league healthy for the entire year. Atlanta’s defense was decimated by injuries, though, which ultimately were too much to overcome.

The Falcons aren’t going to the playoffs this year but at least they can show some promise with a strong finish to a disappointing year.