Drake London Says Falcons Are Getting Back to Basics on Offense This Week

The Atlanta Falcons are not just trying to earn a huge victory this week in their international opportunity in Spain against a very strong Cincinnati Bengals team. They are also trying to erase the taste of one of the ugliest offensive performances in the history of the franchise last week.

While weather was certainly a main factor in how poorly Atlanta played against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Falcons were on a new level of bad with four interceptions from Michael Penix Jr. in the shutout. As bad as things were though, a new week means new opportunity, and the team's best wide receiver is leading the charge to turn the page.

While speaking to the media in Madrid, Drake London -- who is in the midst of a career season -- said Atlanta is getting back to basics on the offensive side of the ball and while difficult conversations have been had, it's ultimately for the better.

It's a fascinating peak behind the window at the kind of meetings that go on after a loss like that. Clearly, the coaching staff did not take it easy when it comes to telling both London as well as Penix and the rest of the offense what went wrong. Treating players with kid gloves is the quickest way to make a bad loss get worse, and it's obvious that this coaching staff has put things as bluntly as possible this week.

After a performance like last week, you simply need to tear things down and start again while perfecting the little things that make any offense impactful. By the sounds of it, that is exactly what the Falcons did this week in their team meetings and preparation for the Bengals.

Thankfully, not only is the weather going to be better, but the defense the Falcons are going up against has been very vulnerable to opposing passing games. Penix, London and the rest of the offense must take advantage of a Cincinnati defense who allowed 36 points to a dreadful Tennessee Titans and needed overtime to survive.

That is a unit that Atlanta should be more than capable of finding success against, and if they cannot, there may be a bigger problem at play. In front of a national audience, fans are going to find out firsthand what kind of improvements have been made and whether or not enough has been done this week.