Falcons can't keep pace in division if passing offense, defense doesn't improve

The Atlanta Falcons aren't going to be able to make it to January football if the team can't improve in the air. 

Sunday's 20-17 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers cemented two unfortunate truths for the Falcons: the team doesn't possess the ability to force the ball downfield, and other teams can force the ball downfield on the Falcons at will. 

Going into Sunday, the Falcons had the worst pass defense in the NFL. Chargers QB Justin Herbert didn't help that by throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown in a game without top two wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. 

The Falcons are missing starting cornerbacks A.J. Terrell and Casey Heyward, but the team's depth is struggling to get any quarterback off the field.

Atlanta also can't force the ball downfield with quarterback Marcus Mariota. The former Oregon star knows how to gash defenses with his legs, but Mariota's deep ball isn't coming together. 

Mariota has also been unable to get tight end Kyle Pitts going with long shots, even though head coach Arthur Smith is more than trying to get Pitts the ball.