FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Each week provides a new and oftentimes unique challenge in the NFL. On Sunday, the Falcons face a Broncos team from a different conference with a mobile rookie quarterback and an ornery defense.
It's not an easy matchup by any means, and today's mailbag questions show that the fan base is taking this one seriously. This one is an important one before the bye week, there's no doubt about that.
Let's go ahead and get to the topics on everyone's minds.
David H. from Marshalltown, Iowa
I think this Denver matchup might be the biggest test for our O-line in many games - and I'm not feeling good about it. Denver can really get to the quarterback.
Knowing that Cousins is not very mobile, the Broncos have to be game-planning for just that. Case in point was last Sunday's game where bad things happened when Cousins was pressured. Momentum and drives were lost rather quickly - especially the last drive of the game. How does Atlanta counter their anticipated QB pressures?
This is an excellent question, David, and I think you're right to identify this matchup as a big one on Sunday. It's exactly what I'm focused on as well.
When I played rugby in college, we used to run a drill meant to emphasize one point and one point only: The ball moves faster than a person can. If the Falcons believe Denver's defense, which ranks second in the NFL with 35 sacks, will cause disruption, getting the ball out of Cousins' hands quickly is a good approach, whether that's through a big dose of the run game or a quick-passing attack.
You're right, sacks were a factor in the Falcons not sustaining drives against the Saints, but I don't think they will attack the Broncos' defense in the same way. On Sunday, Atlanta's air yards per attempt was 11.27 yards. That's the highest number on the season by far. And! The Saints are No. 2 on that list — the Falcons averaged 9.74 air yards per attempt against them in Week 4.
However, against the Chiefs and the Buccaneers — defenses I would consider a bit more comparable to Denver's — the Falcons averaged 6.41 and 6.94 air yards per target, respectively.
Bottom line: The Falcons felt more comfortable attacking the Saints downfield than any other team so far this season, but I don't think that will be the approach I Sunday. I think you will see a game where the ball moves intently and quickly to the hands of a playmaker.
Mike S from Calgary
Kind of sort of but not really pass rush question - I noticed in the last few years the Falcons struggle mightily against mobile quarterbacks. While Nix is not going to be compared to Vick at this point, he does have some useful mobility. Does the lack of a pass rush contribute directly to these struggles, or is more the linebackers on that?
There are a few things that probably go into what you're seeing, Mike. The most simple answer is that the dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL are incredibly difficult to defend, because they flip the match in favor of the offense. There's a reason virtually every defense will struggle against them.
Containing a mobile quarterback often requires a pass rush that works to box a quarterback in. That means all the rushers are working in tandem and no one player is attacking faster than the others. But it can also slow the pass rush down at times, which may lead to less production in the sack totals.
The other common approach is to keep a spy on a quarterback. I don't know if Bo Nix requires that level of attention, but given that Denver does utilize some elements of an RPO offense, I'd image in he will be accounted for in the defensive assignments.
Another useful way to combat quarterback mobility is to play zone coverage, which allows a player in the secondary to have a visual of the backfield while defending his area. If the quarterback takes off, it's easier to see it in zone coverage than man.
All parts of a defense play a role in defending a mobile quarterback, and the Falcons will need to be ready for that against Nix.
Vincente Andrews from Phenix City, Ala.
There are a lot of questions, but a couple come to mind. (1). Why not open the offense up from play one, (2) Kirk is holding on the ball to long, why, (3) their are no break away, get away the receiver, (4) Let the game come to the team and let them play. This a 60-year lover for the FALCONS, please make this one count!
Thanks for the questions, Vincente. Since there are four of them, I will answer each one in a shorter fashion.
- What do you mean by "open the offense up?" Is there are specific play in mind that is open to you? Would you like them to run all the receivers straight down the field and throw it as deep as Cousins possibly can? Coaches spend the week dialing up opening plays that are either meant to attack a weakness they've identified or gather information to attack the defense later. A good opening script serves a purpose.
- As I mentioned in my first answer for this mailbag, you're totally right to see that Cousins was holding the ball against New Orleans. He was really pushing the ball downfield in that game. However, that was likely how the offense felt they could attack a depleted Saints defense, and Atlanta wants to hit explosive plays. Cousins actually has the eighth-fastest time to throw among quarterbacks with at least 200 pass attempts. He's getting the ball out quickly when he needs to.
- Drake London has averaged 2.6 yards of separation on his targets this season. Darnell Mooney has averaged 2.9. Against the Saints, that number was 2.4 for London and 1.5 for Mooney. So, if things felt tighter for Atlanta's receivers, they were. That's a credit to New Orleans, and something the Falcons should look at.
- This is a good bookend to your first question, because it's hard to have both things at once. Can they open the offense up from play one and still let the game come to them? I like this contradiction, though, because it's what makes football so hard. There is no one-size-fits-all fix to anything. Every game is different, and the Falcons have to be prepared for all of it.
Thank you all for today's questions! If I didn't get to yours today, it may be selected in future editions of The Mailbox. The next one will be published Tuesday morning, when Tori will answer your questions.
If you'd like to submit a question for a future mailbag, *you may do so here*.
