FLOWERY BRANCH -- Don’t expect Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to air it out against the Washington Football Team on Sunday.
Offensive coordinator Dave Ragone said throwing the ball down the field just to loosen up the defense is a bad idea. Currently, quarterback Matt Ryan ranks last in the NFL in completed air yards. His passes travel 3.2 yards, according to Next Gen Stats.
“No, I don’t think there is a lot of merit to throwing the ball in there when it’s a bad look,” Ragone said.
The Falcons have nine plays of 20 yards or more through three games, but do not have any plays of 40 yards or more.
“We have guys that have proven that you can create explosive plays in different ways,” Ragone said. “Whether they throwing the ball down the field or whether it be, a slip screen or something like that, throwing it a couple of yards and your guys make plays.”
That’s what the Falcons did to jump-start their game-winning drive against the Giants. They hit running back Cordarrelle Patterson on a screen for a 28-yard gain.
The Falcons don’t want to force deep passes into coverage. Also, the offensive line has given up seven sacks and 22 quarterbacks and may not hold up on five- and seven-step drop-backs.
“I think we have to continue to work at it,” Ragone said. “When we get our opportunities where we get looks that are advantageous for us, we have to let it rip and go make the plays.”
However, if the Falcons don’t threaten teams deeper down the field, the opposing defensive backs may start jumping the shallow routes, which could lead to more interceptions and possibly more pick-sixes.
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Falcons’ 2021 schedule features trip to London, January trip to Buffalo
Atlanta Falcons Schedule
Washington FT at Falcons, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.
New York Jets vs. Falcons in London, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Bye Week
Falcons at Miami Dolphins, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.
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