A closer look at Falcons’ red zone targets

The Falcons have struggled to score in the red zone and for some bizarre reason have elected not to throw the ball to their best receiver, Julio Jones.

After the game, Julio Jones admitted to being confounded by the play-calling in the red zone.

Jones has been targeted 16 times in the red zone and has nine catches (56.25 percent) and scored four touchdowns this season, according to advanced analytics site nflsavant.com.

He hasn’t scored a touchdown — red zone or otherwise — over the past four games as the Falcons have dropped five straight.

By contrast New England has thrown 35 passes to Julian Edelman (12 of 17) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (9 of 18) in the red zone. They’ve figured out how to get their main targets the ball when defenses are scheming to take them away.

Here are the Falcons’ red zone targets:

WIDE RECEIVERS

Jones 9 catches, 16 targets, 4 touchdowns.

Leonard Hankerson 6-10-4

Roddy Whtie 2-5-1

Justin Hardy 3-4-0

Nick Williams 2-2-1

TIGHT ENDS

Jacob Tamme 4-6-1

Levine Toilolo 0-1-0

RUNNING BACKS

Devonta Freeman 7-10-3