In the early 80s, hip-hop fans were taught that it takes two to make a thing go right. It's obvious Head Coach Dan Quinn was a big fan of Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock because he has a funky concept and believes that his two running backs, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, are going to be a major factor in making things go right on offense for the Atlanta Falcons.
The two backs are very versatile and they have become a major key to "freeing" things up for players like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Mohamed Sanu.
"We know both these guys are going to be a factor," Quinn said. "We're going to utilize them both. Devonta has shown he's definitely capable of carrying a load all the way through, but the fact that we have two guys that we're able to feature is important."
Last season, Freeman put up impressive numbers on his way to being selected to his first Pro Bowl (1,056 rushing yards 11 rushing touchdowns). Throughout the season, he proved that he could be an every down back and a player that could help his team both in the run and pass game. According to Pro Football Focus, Freeman played 774 snaps – the highest total among running backs – and recorded 1,634 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns, including 73 receptions for 578 yards.
Last week against the Buccaneers, Freeman received more of the snaps, but wasn't able to fully get going during the game – enter Coleman. The second-year back out of Indiana picked up the slack for his partner and ended up with a career high five receptions for 95 yards. The duo teamed up for a combined 157 total yards during the game – 41.9-percent of the team's offense – marking the eighth time, and the third time in the last four games, the two have put up 100 yards from scrimmage together.
The offense recorded 400-plus total yards six times last season and Freeman and Coleman teamed up for 150-plus combined yards during four of those games – in week three versus the Dallas Cowboys Freeman recorded 193 total yards. Freeman and Coleman have combined to record 100-plus yards in eight of the 12 games they have played together.
The versatility between these two can be a deadly combination for opposing defenses. Hopefully this 1-2 punch can continue to open up the offense and help put points on the board for the Falcons.
