FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons offense, under the direction of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, is off to a great start this season.
The Falcons are leading or are near the top of several key offensive categories after four games.
The Falcons lead the league in red zone touchdown percentage. On 15 trips inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, they’ve scored 12 touchdowns (80 percent).
The Falcons are averaging 34.3 points, which is third in the league behind New England (39.7) and Arizona (37).
The Falcons are second in third down conversion percentage at 54.1 (33 of 61). New England leads the league at 60 percent (21 of 35).
The Falcons are fifth in overall yards (403.3 per game), fifth in passing yards (289.8 per game) and 13th in rushing yards (113.4 yards per game).
Falcons coach Dan Quinn points to the third down conversion numbers as the key to keeping the offense in high gear.
“That third down is a real factor because number one, on the third down, it allows some of the drives to continue, so the time of possession was way up for us, which is a huge thing,” Quinn said. “When you take care of the ball, you’re able to convert on third downs and you’re scoring touchdowns as opposed to kicking fields, of course, you’re going to play well.”
Quinn believes that quarterback Matt Ryan’s thorough preparation during the week aids the offense during the games.
“Those guys, Matt and the offense, they work extremely hard at that,” Quinn said. “You can see them as you get into the red zone game plan, all of the extra work that they do, getting ready. Before practice walk-through, the on-the-field stuff, the things they do all the way through the week and all of that hard work that they’ve been putting in together. I think you’re seeing that on the field.”
The biggest improvement for the offense has been the rushing attack. The Falcons averaged 93.6 yards per game last season, which ranked 24th in the league. The Falcons scored just 11 rushing touchdowns and already have nine this season after four games.
“For us, the run game has been awesome these first four weeks of the season, and I think we’re getting better week-to-week, which is encouraging to see,” Ryan said. “As a quarterback, there’s nothing better than to be able to hand that ball off on first and second down and be able to get into third-and-two, third-and-three or get first downs on first and second down running the football. It makes it easier because you end up seeing a lot more advantageous looks to throw the football.”
Ryan is completing 67.1 percent of his passes and has thrown six touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has a passer rating of 101.2 ranks ninth in the league.
Ryan also didn’t get flustered when the Texans took away wide receiver Julio Jones with blanket double-coverage. Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson stepped forward and had the second 100-yard receiving day of his career with six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
“Obviously, people are gonna adjust to Julio with what he’s done the first three weeks of the season,” Ryan said. “There were some adjustments by their safeties, playing over the top help and giving you advantageous looks to the other side, to kind of force you to throw to other guys.”
With Jones blanketed, Ryan moved the ball around to five other receivers.
“Devonta (Freeman) catching the ball out of the backfield is another huge matchup for us,” Ryan said.
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