I think it was sooner then that. There was a period last year around mid season where it seemed like the players were just there, not fighting for inches. Then (at least I thought this was the order) that they had a player only meeting and rallied, nearly beating the lions and went on a run.
I think the Falcons game with the Winston incident just brought back all the negativity that the players already felt and were fighting against. Secured it, and its built up.