With the defense struggling, the Falcons’ best formula may be to win offensive shootouts.
The Falcons’ offense has counter-punched and kept games close, but it hasn’t taken over a game.
The Falcons (1-4) are set to face the Arizona Cardinals (1-3-1), a team that amassed over 500 yards and has to be considered dangerous if they figure our their red-zone issues, at 4:05 p.m. Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The Falcons’ offense needs to mash its collective foot on the gas pedal, while the defense has to stop the run, get a pass rush and stop blowing coverages in the secondary.
“There have been times where we have been able to move the ball effectively and score points, but we haven’t been able to put a complete game together,” Ryan said. “Where for four quarters we’ve played consistent football that way for the entire game. That has to be our mindset.”
On Sunday, the Falcons were in a shootout with the Texans, taking a 17-16 lead at the half with both offenses racing up and down the field.
Houston scored on their first two possessions of the second half, the Falcons’ offense punted twice, including a three-and-out. From there, things went down hill swiftly.
Against Minnesota, Indianapolis and Tennessee, the offense started slowly and had to play catch-up after the defense gave up halftime leads of 21-0 to the Vikings, 20-3 to the Colts and 24-7 to the Titans.
The offense scored two late touchdowns against the Vikings. The offense closed it to a one-score game twice in the fourth quarter against the Colts, but the defense couldn’t get a stop either time. There would be no rally against the Titans as the Falcons could only muster a field goal in the second half.
While the defense is struggling, the offense needs to carry the team.
“I think it’s all 11 of us doing our job for four quarters,” Ryan said. “Have a week of practice that gives us the best chance to be consistent for four quarters.”
The offense did come up with the big play, a 54-yard screen pass to Julio Jones, to help pull out the win over the Eagles.
The defensed needed a dropped pass and a fourth-down stop to preserve that win.
The Falcons passing numbers are elite, but they are still struggling to get the ground attack moving. They are counting short passes, as extended handoffs.
Running back Devonta Freeman scored on 9-yard screen pass against the Texans.
“They had something combined like 10 catches last week or something like that,” Ryan said of Freeman and Ito Smith. “Both of those guys catching the ball out of the backfield when you can get it to them quick, it is an extension of the run game for us.”
The Falcons like to get Freeman and Smith in space.
“We put them in space and try to make people miss, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do in the run game, is get those guys into space on the second level so they can create explosive plays,” Ryan said. “We don’t care how we do it. Obviously, you want to be balanced, but some weeks dictate that you get it out faster and get those guys in space.
“We’ll do whatever we have to do to find a way to get a win.”
The Falcons may have to get the ball out quick against the Cardinals, who started outside linebackers Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs against the Bengals last Sunday.
“He’s got great instincts, very good against the run, very good against the pass and he’s one of those guys that finds a way to be around the ball and can be disruptive around the ball,” Ryan said of Suggs. “You pair him with (Chandler) Jones on the other side and that’s two guys that you have to be aware of on the edge.”
Freeman doesn’t mind if he’s catching or running the football.
“We just do whatever we’re called upon,” Freeman said. “We just want to be effective if that’s in the running game, passing game or whatever. The game plan, we just try to execute it the best way we can.”
Freeman believes the offense is headed in the right direction.
“We have to continue to build our chemistry,” Freeman said. “Right now is a tough time for us.”
It’s a small sample size, but Smith is running the ball better than Freeman, who has 58 carries for 187 yards and 3.2 yards per carry average.
Smith has 18 rushes for 93 yards for a 5.2 per carry average.
“I want to make sure both guys can get the touches,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “Ito has certainly proven, both guys really have, not just in the run game but in the pass game. Let’s make sure we get our touches.
“It has not gone like we want it to, obviously, from an amount of carries. He’s definitely earned it, but by no means are we anywhere near where I think we will get to. It’s certainly been a good start to it for Ito.”
In the meantime, the Falcons can draw inspiration from the 2018 Colts, who started 1-5 before rallying to make the playoffs at 10-6.
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