A scan of the NFL defensive rankings shows the Falcons as mediocre-to-bad in most every category but exceptional in two.

The Falcons are allowing the fewest yards rushing per game (78.8) in the NFL and are tied for the fourth-fewest rushing yards allowed per play (3.56). They don’t rank higher than 14th in any of the other defensive categories.

“We just have been playing gap sound,” Falcons defensive lineman Tyson Jackson said. “Everybody in our front seven has been trying to play extremely physical. We are knocking guys back and getting off the blocks. We are putting ourselves in position to make a couple of tackles for losses.”

The Falcons’ run defense doesn’t rank as highly when adjusted for opponent and situation, as Football Outsiders does for its DVOA metric. The Falcons rank 15th in rushing DVOA, though that’s still a dramatic improvement from last season’s ranking of No. 30.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC