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4th-down plays on 2 straight possessions help doom Falcons

ATLANTA (AP) — Two fourth-down plays on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter helped create a deficit that was too much for the Atlanta Falcons to overcome.

Now, in a crucial season for coach Dan Quinn, the Falcons already face a disturbingly familiar challenge. They know from recent history that bad starts can lead to bad finishes.

Sunday's 38-25 loss to Seattle left Atlanta 0-1 for the third straight season. Opening losses the last two years turned into devastatingly poor starts that kept the Falcons out of the playoffs.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett insists this season can be different.