The city of Atlanta is home to some great things. We’re the proud hosts of the 1996 Olympic games, birthplace of the most popular drink company in the universe, the widely recognized hub of hip-hop, and many more accolades. However, there’s one thing that the city is pining for, and that’s a successful sports team to rally behind. Season after season, year after year around here things always end in disappointment, as our home teams each endure their fair share — and more — of heartbreak and dismal defeat. Perhaps the heaviest blow was the Falcons’ infamous 28-3 choke job in Super Bowl 51. But a few weeks back, there was plenty of pain to go around. During the week of Oct.7th we all lived through the worst five days in Atlanta sports history.

On Wednesday of that week the Atlanta Braves geared up to host the St. Louis Cardinals in a win-or-go-home battle that would give the winner a chance to compete for a World Series berth. Then, the “First Inning from Hell” began. Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz, who pitched a brilliant game two in Atlanta, surrendered seven first inning runs before the Braves even took the plate. Max Fried would come in and give up three runs himself. The Cardinals would tie an MLB record with 10 runs scored in one inning of a postseason game, in the first inning. The Braves’ magical 166-game run that saw them defend their NL East title was over. In 15 minutes. In the first inning.

After that historical meltdown from the Bravos, Atlanta fans were hurting and just looking to move on. The Georgia Bulldogs were about to take on lowly South Carolina on Oct. 12th for a quick tune-up game before their big rivalry showdown against Florida. But this game would shake out differently than expected. Georgia’s offense would struggle all game, with the run game being shut down, and star QB Jake Fromm throwing three interceptions. The game would go to overtime after a late Georgia touchdown, but Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship would miss the game-tying field goal in double-OT that would seal the game and leave the home Athens crowd stunned. Georgia had lost to a far inferior opponent, and now its national title hopes were put on hold. Also, Georgia Tech would get blown out by North Carolina — but did we expect anything less? ( Sorry Tech fans. All five of you.) 

The Atlanta Falcons would take on the Arizona Cardinals the next day. The Falcons are a talented team, but recent coaching changes and a laughable defense had the team’s record standing at just 1-4 at the time. But there was hope for this game, as the Cardinals featured one of the NFL’s worst rosters. Yet Arizona would jump out to a 17-point lead, and it would take a heroic comeback led by QB Matt Ryan to get the Falcons back in it. A Devonta Freeman touchdown would put the Falcons just one extra point away from a tie game in the fourth. But, since Atlanta can’t have nice things, usually reliable kicker Matt Bryant would come out and shank the PAT, making it a 34-33 defeat for the Dirty Birds.

Not many sports cities have been through what Atlanta went through in these five days. If it’s any solace, maybe “the ATL” has hit rock bottom and it’s only going up from here. Whatever the case, we need to take a break from teams that are either named after birds, or called the Cardinals.