One of the major sore spots for Atlanta on defense last season was third down. Getting better on third downs was one of the reasons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan was brought to the Falcons.
After one half of football, things seem to be improving.
Playing with mostly first teamers in the first quarter and second-string players in the second quarter, against their Ravens counterparts, the Falcons limited Baltimore to just two third-down conversions in eight tries, a 25 percent conversion rate.
"Our third down defense has been an issue for us the past few years, so we wanted to come out here right away and set the tone on third downs, and get off the field because it's critical," cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "We wanted to put them in third and long situations. The averages are always on your side when you can put a team in third and long situations. We just felt good. It felt like we were clicking on all cylinders out there."
