FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons rank last in the NFL with 11 sacks.
The defensive brass is hoping that outside linebacker Dante Fowler, in his second game back from an hyperextended left knee, can provide a boost when the Falcons (4-5) face the New England Patriots (6-4) at 8:20 p.m. Thursday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Developing a strong pass rush has been a struggle for the Falcons defense this season. In addition to being last in the league, they have only two sacks in their past three games.
In their 43-3 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, they were unable to pressure quarterback Dak Prescott, who threw two touchdowns while finishing 24-of-31 passing for 296 yards.
Fowler played 31 of the 70 defensive snaps (40%) and finished with three tackles.
“I mean it’s no secret (about the pass rush),” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “I’m not disappointed. It is what it is, but we got to provide more pressure on the quarterback, and it can’t always be with the pressure.”
Pees is glad to have Fowler back and hopes he can help create pressure on the quarterback.
“(We) just (need) a pass-rusher guy that can go set the edge and (win) one-on-ones, and that’s what we need him to be,” Pees said. “That’s why he was brought here a couple years ago, and that’s what we need. He can provide it for us because right now we were struggling there.”
Fowler said he is glad to be back and is ready to make an impact. He is tied with linebacker Deion Jones for the team lead in sacks, with two.
“(I’m ready to be) a productive player,” Fowler said. “Going out there being a difference maker on my defense and being a difference maker for this team. Being the spark. Anything that I can do to elevate guys around me to be the best defense that we can be, that’s what I’m about.”
Pees explained how he has been sending pressure with the pass rush, but how it goes in vain if the Falcons aren’t able to cover wide receivers.
“You know, we pressured last week,” Pees said. “We had two guys on the touchdown pass. We greeted the quarterback by salt play. All gets off and you have a cup, so it’s both. It’s not just pressure, and pressure isn’t always the answer.”
The Falcons will have the challenge of facing a Patriots team that is coming off a dominant 45-7 win Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Fowler knows the Falcons will need a strong effort against the Patriots.
“They work together as a team,” Fowler said. “They’re all in sync, and they have a lot of personnel. You have to be a real good, disciplined football team.”
The Falcons also are hoping that rookie outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji can add to the pass rush.
This game means a little more to Ogundeji. He not only wants to get the win against the Patriots, but he has a history against Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones from college while playing at Notre Dame.
No. 1 Alabama beat No. 4 Notre Dame 31-14 in the College Football Playoff last season.
Ogundeji wants to be on the winning side this time.
“I think he’s a great and calm, collected guy in the pocket,” Ogundeji said. “I played him in college against Alabama. He didn’t let the pressure get to him. He’s a very smart player and knows where players are at all times, and I think that’s why he’s playing good right now.”
Jones is completing 69% of his passes entering Thursday’s game, while throwing 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Ogundeji knows it’s going to take him, Fowler and other guys to mount a pass rush against Jones.
“He’s a young guy, so he’s learning the game just like I am, so if you get to him, things can happen,” Ogundeji said. “I think for us, it’s really pass rushing together. When all four guys are pass rushing as one and collapsing the pocket. That’s when you get sacks, missed throws and (interceptions).”
