FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Falcons wrap up their short week of on-field preparations today before they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. It's the second of three NFC South games, an important stretch for Atlanta, and the condensed prep time adds a new wrinkle.
There are still some aspects of their game the Falcons are working to improve, particularly on offense. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson spoke with the media Tuesday about what has worked and what the team needs to clean up moving forward.
For today's question of the week, each member of our editorial staff has selected one of Robinson's quotes about the offense that resonated with them and explains why.
McELHANEY: "It's difficult, because the biggest thing about this league is to score points, and we're not scoring enough points. Our defense is doing a great job. We are just not scoring enough points. So, that's going to be a continued emphasis on our side, with what we can do to make sure we're maximizing drives, punching the ball in the end zone. If we get down in there, we've got to score touchdowns."
I feel like I have to talk about this response from Robinson when I asked about balancing an offense that does indeed move the ball, but doesn't actually punch the ball into the end zone consistently.
Through four games, the Falcons are averaging a healthy 309 yards per game, but they don't really have the touchdowns to show for it. They've only reached the end zone five times in 16 quarters. That needs to change for the Falcons to reach their potential in 2024.
In his answer, Robinson went on to say that he believes the Falcons are not far off offensively from where they want to be, which is, well, scoring more points. It's small corrections that will be the difference in a league won and lost in the margins of error. And the Falcons are actively taking note of that right now.
"It seems like we're just this close on a lot of things," Robinson said, holding his hand up to show a tiny space between his pointer finger and thumb. "It might be one thing here, one thing there, a missed throw, a missed hit. … It starts with us as coaches just making sure that everything is super clear with these guys so that they can go execute."
McFADDEN: "Yeah, I think we'll always continue, as coaches, to look in the mirror and say, 'Are we giving the guys the right answers all the time?' If we can check that box, then it's about, 'Hey, can we execute?' So, I think there's been games where we've executed really well. There's been times throughout games we have, and there's been times where we haven't. So, we're trying to find that mix to where we know we're close to getting over the hump with some things, and guys are just – they're eager. They want to be the most explosive offense and the best offense in the NFL. So, we're going to continue to work, but every game is its own enemy, and we're just trying to find those answers every single week."
Through the first four games, I think it's fair to say the Falcons have been a little bit up and down offensively. As Robinson points out in this quote above, there have been stretches of games where the execution has been on point. Think back to the final drive against Philadelphia or the opening drive against Kansas City. But there have also been periods where things look much more difficult for the offense.
That should be expected to some degree early in the season, especially when factoring in a new head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback. There's a learning curve there, but each game provides new lessons and we've heard from these coaches and players value that knowledge.
The tricky thing, that I thought Tori highlighted really well when specifically talking about third downs in a recent notebook entry, is there is no one clear problem to solve. There have been multiple maladies for the Falcons' offense early this season, each one popping up at different times. It's nice to hear from Robinson that this staff has a clear idea of that as well, and that they are combing through all elements of the game plan and execution to get it solved.
I suspect that once this offense gets a little sustained momentum, we will finally see it firing on all cylinders, which is why the one thing I really want to see on Thursday night is back-to-back touchdown drives from Robinson’s group.
SUBHAN: We have yet to see the best of Bijan Robinson. Zac Robinson said as much in his press conference on Tuesday.
"He's a threat at any time to have an explosive play which is huge for a running back," Robinson said. "Any time you can hand the ball to a back and he can pop a run for 15-20 yards. I think we're still close to popping 40-50 yards with him."
That quote gives me a sense that things can pick up for the Falcons' offense.
Robinson didn't have his best game on the ground in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints with 28 yards on seven attempts, which followed an outing that produced 31 rushing yards the previous week. Tyler Allgeier had the hot hand against the Saints running the ball while Robinson was more involved in the passing game, catching four passes for 46 yards, including an explosive 26-yard catch and run.
The Falcons offensive coordinator pointed to the Week 2 win against Philadelphia Eagles as a formula for the second-year back. Robinson recorded a season-high 97 rushing yards, most of those coming in the first half.
He has yet to surpass the 100-yard mark as a rusher this season, Robinson reached that twice in his rookie campaign. His longest career run was a 38-yarder last season versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, and his longest reception was 71 yards in the final game of the year against the Saints.
While Robinson has shown flashes, he has yet to string together consistency this season, so too, has the entire offense. Zac Robinson sees a higher ceiling for the running back, and he could be a key to unlocking that step forward.
WAACK: "Just like your job, too, with the more experience you get, the more comfortable you feel with everything. So, I would say going from Game 1 – even the preseason – to now, it feels like it's been an entire season just based on getting those repetitions and the communication and what that's like on game day with the other coaches and what your players are like on game day."
Here comes your weekly reminder that this is Robinson's first season as a play-caller. Things aren't going to be perfect right from the start. Perhaps not even after a few games. So, continue to have some patience with him as he gets into a rhythm and finds his own groove.
Because also, here's comes your other weekly reminder that this is Kirk Cousins' first season as the Falcons quarterback. That's a double-whammy of newness with it comes to the offense in likely the most important roles on the unit.
What I've respected about Robinson so far is his accountability. After the Week 1 loss, he unpromptedly took the blame, though no one else internally was blaming him. He knows he and the offense are still finding their footing together.
"You're always learning things about yourself, about your players, about your other coaches," Robinson said, "and (you're) all working in collaboration to try to get a win."
