The Falcoholic
A plethora of individual coverage blunders and communication breakdowns leaves what was supposed to be the strength of Atlanta’s defense in a state of dismay.
When quarterbacks normally produce big games against the Atlanta Falcons’ defense, they are usually aided by operating in a clean pocket for most of the game. It’s rare for them to have the pocket collapse, let alone be sacked. That’s how insipid the pass rush has been in Atlanta since producing 39 sacks in 2017.
It’s been the same for most of this season with quarterbacks such as Bo Nix and Baker Mayfield at ease finding their receiving options across the field without much resistance. While Sam Darnold was the latest quarterback to join the club of having a memorable passing performance against the Falcons’ defense, his five-touchdown game couldn’t have been more different.
Per Pro Football Focus, Darnold was sacked four times while taking three hits and hurried 11 times on 35 dropbacks. Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lake were set on not allowing him to feel comfortable throwing to one of the top skill position groups in the league with one of the best offensive minds constructing another exceptional game plan. Darnold’s processing and timing were disrupted in spurts, led by Kaden Elliss’ blistering blitzes.
He wasn’t the only player within the front causing havoc. Arnold Ebiketie continues to make strides off the left on the edge with another sack and a near strip-sack. Grady Jarrett and Eddie Goldman generated pressure off their swift hand movement. This one-sided loss certainly wasn’t because the defensive front was sluggish and unable to disengage from blocks.
The discouraging defeat falls on the secondary more than anything else. They allowed four completions of 40 or more yards. Defensive backs struggled to keep pace and make plays on the ball. Poor communication led to players not switching off properly, leading to high-percentage looks for Darnold as long as he evaded the pressure.
They were allowed to play more man coverage, which proved catastrophic for every defensive back not named A.J. Terrell. It left the entire unit scratching their heads, recognizing that they weren’t on the level needed to compete for four quarters against one of the NFC’s top five teams.
After leading the league in opposing quarterback completion percentage going into the bye week, the coaching staff made alterations to play more man coverage and use dime looks to mask the coverage limitations at linebacker. The schematic adjustments paid off against the Chargers, as Justin Herbert struggled to complete passes to anyone not named Ladd McConkey. The defenses produced six pass breakups, playing sticky coverage and not allowing space at the top of routes.
Unfortunately for Morris and Lake, they kept the same frequent blitz and simulated pressure concepts with an aggressive man coverage approach against a significantly more talented offense in the Vikings. That was bound to end badly if they didn’t generate overwhelming pressure and force Darnold into putting the ball in dangerous...
