The return of Darqueze Dennard is key to the Falcons' continued improvement in the secondary.
He’s the only player with positive coverage numbers. The defensive unit, which is set to face a second-year quarterback with only 10 NFL starts, Drew Lock, will be on the hot seat in this game against the Broncos at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dennard’s passer rating allowed when targeted is 75.4, the best on the team.
Here are the rest of the passer ratings allowed when targeted: free safety Ricardo Allen (131.2), cornerback A.J. Terrell (129.9), linebacker Mykal Walker (128.7), cornerback Isaiah Oliver (126.9), linebacker Deion Jones (121.7), cornerback Kendall Sheffield (118.7) and strong safety Neal (116.9).
Another stat to consider is completion percentage allowed on targets, Dennard’s rating is 62.5%, second best on the team behind Allen’s 50%.
Here are the other completion percentage allowed on targets: Terrell (78.1%), Neal (76.5%), Sheffield (73.7%), Jones (72.4%) and Oliver (72%).
One last stat, receiving yards allowed on completions: Oliver leads the team with 458 yards allowed followed by Sheffield (424), Terrell (346), Neal (337), Jones (237), Dennard (183), linebacker Foye Oluokun (158) and Allen (115).
The Falcons held the Panthers to 157 yards passing, but still remain ranked 31st in the league in pass defense (311.4 yards passing allowed per game).
Falcons' next four games
Broncos at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Bye week
Falcons at Saints at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22
Raiders at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29
Saints at Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6
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