The Falcons fought back vs. the Panthers on Sunday after trailing, 21-10, at the start of the second half. However, they never quite caught up. Atlanta trimmed the lead to two points in the fourth quarter, and could have taken a one-point lead on a 34-yard field goal by Jason Elam, but he missed the kick, and Matt Ryan was intercepted on the first play of the team's next drive, which helped set up RB Jonathan Stewart's game-sealing 45-yard touchdown run. Atlanta has lost three of its last four contests.

Ryan is in the midst of the most disastrous stretch of his young career. He has thrown 11 picks in his last six games — he threw 11 picks in 16 starts last year. While Ryan's issues are a significant concern, an injury suffered by RB Michael Turner was the most troubling development for Atlanta on Sunday. Turner was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, according to multiple reports, after injuring the ankle in the second quarter vs. the Panthers. He had to leave the game and did not return. He's expected to miss the Week 11 game vs. the Giants.

The PFW spin

There are few situations that are more difficult for a team to overcome than to have one of its greatest strengths turned into a weakness in a crucial stretch of the season, but that is exactly what the Falcons are presented with as they limp into Week 11. The foundation of the offense — Turner — is ailing and Ryan is reeling.

At the least, head coach Mike Smith and just about everyone else expected that Ryan would manage games well and limit turnovers, but he has been more reckless with the ball than ever before, throwing at least one pick in each of the past six games. The conventional wisdom on Ryan is beginning to shatter, and some in Atlanta are asking whether expectations were too high for the second-year signalcaller.

With Turner expected to miss at least one game, Ryan is not going to see defenses loading the box with eight or nine defenders to shut down Turner. Defenses will keep two safeties deep and Ryan is going to have to be more precise with his throws, or he will continue to get picked off at an alarming rate.

The Falcons are thin at running back at the moment, with Jason Snelling serving as the only healthy ballcarrier, but the team will make some roster moves on Monday or Tuesday to add depth at running back. Reports suggest RB Aaron Stecker will be re-signed after getting cut prior to Week 10. Jerious Norwood has missed the last four games with a hip injury and his status for next week is still unclear.

Regardless of who else is active at running back, Snelling will handle the vast majority of the carries in Week 11. He has done a decent job, but Turner is the pulse of the offense and Atlanta, once perceived as a front-runner for a wild-card spot in the playoffs, is in danger of falling to the back of the crowded pack that's competing for one of those two slots as long as he's unable to play.