They were on the top of the heap, the best team in the NFL halfway through the season...and then the wheels came off.
Why is that?
The coach. That’s his MO. Even in college. Great for the first half, crap for the 2nd.
The Birds have had three seasons in a row under the present head coach, three seasons during which they had great first parts of the season followed by collapse. This head coach's record as a college coach had the same problem.
My theory is the coach is good at putting together a system and plays which work great until the opposing teams figure them out. Kind of like how a new baseball pitcher can be a marvel until everybody scouts him.
I'm just guessing, since I haven't watched a football game in years.