I'VE BEEN TELLIN' Y'ALL — We know the Falcons' run game was working against the Carolina Panthers Sunday afternoon. We know this because, well, you could see it working.
The Falcons' route to a 200-yard rushing night was obvious, as were the holes created for Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier by the Falcons offensive line and downfield blockers.
The combo of Robinson and Allgeier combined for 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the divisional win. Individually, Robinson and Allgeier averaged more than five yards per carry. The Falcons saw significant success on runs outside the tackles, accumulating 142 yards on 24 such carries. While this speaks to the offensive line's ability to seal the defensive line towards the center of the field, something it also speaks to is the Falcons' use of one tight end Charlie Woerner.
Woerner is not a name you'll hear often in this offense. He was a free agent acquisition made in the same week the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins and Darnell Mooney, two names that spawned hundreds of articles across the league, think-pieces by columnists and discussion points by the free agency frenzied talking heads. Woerner, though? A blocking tight end from the San Fransisco 49ers system? The guy who had only 12 catches to his name? Yeah, he flew under the radar.
But take one look at what Woerner did as a sturdy and consistent support for the Falcons' rushing attack Sunday and you won't have him flying under the radar for long.
He may not help your fantasy team directly, but the indirect result of Woerner on this Falcons' team in 2024 cannot be overlooked. So much so, that by the third quarter of the Falcons win I had decreed in my notebook that it was Woerner who was the "best kept secret" of the Falcons offensive operation. Here is a play from every quarter to show you why.
First quarter
The situation: 1st and 10 from the Carolina 38-yard line (3:36)
The result: A 7-yard gain
With two receivers to the left and Woerner alongside Jake Matthews on the left side of the protection, Cousins motioned Woerner to the right. As he did, the ball is snapped. Now in the gap between Ryan Neuzil at center and Chris Lindstrom at guard, Woerner punches towards Lindstrom's man, knocking him to the ground.
Once that threat was neutralized, Woerner quickly pivoted back to his left to pick up the attacking middle linebacker. This block only secured the hole further, allowing Allgeier to slide through for a 7-yard gain.
Without Woerner's block to the second level, Allgeier would have been met by the linebacker at the line of scrimmage. It was the difference in a 1- or 2-yard gain and the seven yards Allgeier ended up getting.
Second quarter
The situation: 1st and goal from the Carolina 7-yard line (6:10)
The result: A 7-yard gain for a touchdown
With Drake London and Darnell Mooney stacked at the left hash beside Matthews, Cousins sent Woerner in motion from the right with Kaleb McGary to the left. As he passed Matthews, the ball was snapped as London and Mooney put a block on the Panthers edge rusher (London) and middle linebacker (Mooney). Simultaneously, Woerner and Matthews kicked out to take on a corner and safety. Matthews put his assignment on the ground, while Woerner blocked his man to the endzone.
It allowed Robinson to get to the 1-yard line before being touched, and by that time, it was too late for the Panthers' defenders in chase. Robinson broke a tackle at his ankles and powered into the endzone.
Third quarter
The situation: 1st and 10 from the Atlanta 42-yard line (13:44)
The result: One of Atlanta's longest runs of the night, a pickup of 17 yards
This alignment differed slightly from the previous two plays we've already taken a look at in this article.
The first two involved a more compact look. This play didn't. In fact, the Falcons began the play with Ray-Ray McCloud and London out wide to the right, but a signal by Cousins sent McCloud in motion away from London.
While this movement created space on the right of the protection for Woerner (in-line beside McGary) and London (still out wide), it created a moment where the Falcons were heavily relying on Woerner to make the key block. If he doesn't, the play isn't likely to get off.
As the ball is snapped, Woerner helps seal McGary's man (similar to what he did back in the first quarter with Lindstrom) before popping out downfield to lock up the cornerback.
Woerner engages Troy Hill while London takes Mike Jackson, creating a massive hole for Robinson. To really get the best look at this hole, here is the sideline and endzone angle of the moment that picked up 17 yards for the Falcons.
Fourth quarter
The situation: 1st and 10 from the Atlanta 16-yard line (10:47)
The result: A would have, should have, could have been 4-yard gain turned 18-yard explosive
This was the play that put the nail in the proverbial coffin Sunday night. It's the one I can guarantee you Kyle Brandt will talk about on Good Morning Football during his "Angry Runs" segment.
Watch the play. It's physical. It's violent. It's angry. And it's everything that makes Allgeier the running back he is. However, from the play's start to its very end, watch Woerner, too, because the effort he displayed on this play was the support and difference in easing some of Allgeier's burden.
With two receivers to the right, Cousins motioned Woerner left to take the defensive end one-one-one to seal the outside. It was a block that also sprang McGary to the next level to pick up the linebacker.
Those two blocks in and of themselves gave Allgeier enough space to pick up at least four or five yards. And he did, getting to the 20-yard line before contact.
And that would have been all well and good for the Falcons. But the second effort by the unit pushed the play to a pickup of double digits.
Once Allgeier broke a couple tackles, more defenders swarmed him at the 21-yard line. Woerner, still back at the 15, charged forward, grabbing Allgeier in an embrace and pulling the running back with his own momentum for about three extra yards.
Feeling Allgeier's legs get under him, Woerner then disengages from Allgeier and put a block on the safety now in Allgeier's path.
When that happened, it cleared a lane for Allgeier to drag defenders with him.
Once Mooney, McGary and Matthew Bergeron got to the pile, they were able to power the group all the way to the 34-yard line.
In the end, there was a lot made about the Falcons' rushing attack — for good reason, too. But perhaps not enough was made about Woerner's role in it, and how he was the key to some of Atlanta's biggest moments on the ground Sunday night.
Immerse yourself in the subtle drama of the Falcons-Panthers meetup at Bank of America Stadium with our monochrome snapshots from Week 6, shot on Sony.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 in the locker room prior to the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
XXXXX in the locker room prior to the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 prepares to take a snap during the second quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes during the second half of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 in the locker room prior to the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Locker room after the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 lines up during the fourth quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. #33 prior to the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes during the third quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 intercepts a pass during the fourth quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 lines up during the first half of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 reacts after a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 returns a punt during the second half of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 reacts after a two-point conversion during the second quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 after the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 arrives prior to the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 prior to the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 arrives prior to the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 celebrates after rushing for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 reacts during the second quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 reacts after an interception during the fourth quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 rushes during the fourth quarter of the Week 6 Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, October 13, 2024. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Atlanta Falcons)
