FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are last in the NFL when it comes to sacking the quarterback, and their defense is not making any excuses on the matter.
There is a possible explanation, though.
Because while the Falcons aren't getting to the quarterback in the backfield, they're one of the best, if not the best, on the backend. Atlanta has allowed the fewest pass completions of 20 yards or more (seven), the second fewest of at least 25 yards (four) and absolutely none beyond 50 yards. This explosive containment is likely due to the fact the Falcons drop back eight defenders in coverage 8.6% of the time, according to TruMedia, which is third most among all teams.
"I think all our games have been kind of locked and loaded as far as a three-point game," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "So, some of the (pressure) production will come if you ever get a lead before and you can play from that spot where you can pin your ears back and rush the passer. (Then) you really get a chance to evaluate some of those things. But we've played some pretty tough games. Not to make excuses. Definitely one of the areas we want to improve."
All five of Atlanta's games have indeed been decided by one possession.
The Falcons have five sacks this season, but that doesn't break down to one per game. They had two in Week 1, none in Week 3 and one in every other game. Outside linebacker Matthew Judon and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett have a sack-and-a-half apiece, while cornerback Dee Alford and defensive tackle David Onyemata have a sack each.
For comparison, the New York Giants lead the league in sacks with 22. The Minnesota Vikings follow at 20, and the Denver Broncos have 19. There are 24 teams that have at least a double-digit sack count. There are then four teams with nine, and three with six.
But an increase in sacks won't just happen by itself. Atlanta's defense needs to first create more advantageous situations by putting offenses behind the eight ball and into obvious passing situations.
"What we talk about is we have to earn the right to rush the passer first," Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake said. "If we allow an offense to turn around and hand the football off and run the ball for 7 or 8 yards, we're not going to be able to earn the right to rush the passer. Really, it starts there first."
Atlanta has given up at least 100 yards rushing each game. Its best performance against the run came in Week 3, when it allowed 128 yards, and its worst came in Week 2, when the Eagles gained 186 yards on the ground.
Looking closer, opponents have averaged 4.36 yards per carry against the Falcons, which actually is the 12th-best mark in the league. That average contains a low of 3.3 yards per carry by the Steelers in Week 1 (again, two sacks) and 6.2 yards per carry by the Bucs in Week 5 (a sack).
"Once we start getting better on that first, second down and we can get offenses in more of a pass situation, then you'll see those (sack) numbers go up," Lake said. "You'll definitely see those numbers go up."
The Falcons' pressure rate is 14.4% through five games. That percentage trails only Sunday's opponent, the Carolina Panthers, who have a pressure rate of 13.1%. Carolina is one of the three teams with six sacks, so that tracks.
The Panthers' defense only matters for Atlanta's own sack pursuits if it allows the Falcons' offense to build a lead, though. It's Carolina's offense that should be evaluated, and the Panthers have been solid in pass protection, allowing pressure 18.3% of the time, which is the fifth-lowest rate in the league.
Sunday could provide a better opportunity for the Falcons to disrupt the passer than their previous games, which featured opponents that currently average a winning record and quarterbacks who were more evasive. The Panthers are 1-4 and on their second quarterback. Bryce Young was benched in Week 3. Andy Dalton has been the starter since.
The Panthers have allowed 12 sacks — five on Dalton and seven on Young — and rank 13th in that metric. The most sacks they've allowed in one game is four — double the Falcons' best sack output so far this season.
"We got to be better," Jarret said. "At the end of the day, that's the reality of it. There ain't no excuses in there. But I can reassure you that we're doing the things, enough self-scout, to be able to be more productive in that area. Nobody wants it more than the men in this building, coaches and players included, so I'm excited for that to come."
