ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Falcons’ defense ranks near the bottom of league in key areas

Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel talks about the team's 31st-ranked scoring defense. (Video by D. Orlando Ledbetter)
By
Oct 10, 2018

The Falcons’ defense, which has lost four starters to injuries, ranks near or at the bottom of the NFL in several key categories.

In third-down conversion percentage (55 percent), the Falcons rank last among the 32 teams. The Falcons allowed teams to convert 36 of 65 third-down plays into first downs.

In total yards per game they rank 28th, while giving up 398.6 yards per game.

In scoring defense they rank 31st, while giving up 32.6 points per game.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The Falcons defense made some crucial stops in spite of being put in bad position time and time again, but it wasn't enough as the Jets won on a Nick Folk field goal, 27-24. (Adam Hunger/AP)

Credit: AP

Take 5: Five quick takeaways from the Falcons’ loss to the Jets

The Falcons' offense and defense both had good moments, but special teams disasters and an inability to finish drives were their undoing in a 27-24 loss to the Jets.

2h ago

Jets send Falcons reeling to 27-24 defeat on walk-off field goal

Jets kicker Nick Folk hit a 56-yard field goal as time expired to hand the Falcons a 27-24 defeat, dropping them to 4-8 on the season.

1h ago
GAME RECAP

Stunner: Jets top Falcons, 27-24, on Folk’s 56-yard FG as time expires

The Latest

The Falcons lost 27-24 to the New York Jets on a 56-yard walk-off field goal by Nick Folk. The loss dropped the Falcons to 4-8 on the season. (Adam Hunger/AP)

Credit: AP

Jets send Falcons reeling to 27-24 defeat on walk-off field goal

1h ago

Take 5: Five quick takeaways from the Falcons’ loss to the Jets

2h ago
GAME RECAP

Stunner: Jets top Falcons, 27-24, on Folk’s 56-yard FG as time expires

Featured

Inventor Lonnie Johnson stands with his Super Soaker water guns at JTEC Energy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. Johnson, a former NASA engineer, is currently working on a new energy technology through his company’s JTEC device that turns thermal heat into usable energy. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Earth needs more energy. Atlanta’s Super Soaker creator may have a solution.

The legendary inventor of the Super Soaker, Lonnie Johnson, is refining technology in Atlanta that he thinks could help the planet reduce energy waste.

Teen GOP activist steps down from party leadership post

Greene County native and University of North Georgia student Ja’Quon Stembridge, 19, had run on boosting youth involvement in the party.

2025 SEC championship game: Kickoff time, TV channel, participants, ticket info

The 2025 SEC Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6. Below you can find information on game time, TV channel and particpants for the game.