FLOWERY BRANCH — So, how did they do?
Before their bye week, the Falcons completed a three-game stretch against some of the NFL’s top passing teams in the Packers, Panthers and Lions. A look inside the numbers shows that the Falcons’ pass defense has steadily improved over recent weeks.
In consecutive wins over the Panthers and Lions, the Falcons’ pass defense allowed an average of 192.5 yards per game with three interceptions, 15 passes defended, 13 quarterback hits and five sacks.
The Packers, the defending Super Bowl champions, did throw for 369 yards in a win. However, the Falcons had four sacks, eight quarterback hits and five passes defended against the team that currently ranks third in passing in the NFL. They limited the Packers’ top-three weapons: Greg Jennings (82 yards), Jermichael Finley (67) and Jordy Nelson (17). Problem was, James Jones had 140 yards as the fourth option.
All three of the opponents remain in the top 10 in the league in passing offense.
“Everything has been increasing,” linebacker Curtis Lofton said. “Pass rush, those guys have been coming along great. The secondary and covering everybody has been coming along great. The linebackers are doing both. We have to keeping going and hope that it propels us into being a better team.”
There is plenty of room for improvement.
The Falcons rank 23rd in the league against the pass, allowing an average of 265.6 yards per game. They entered the three-game stretch ranked 24th. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder doesn’t think too much should be made about recent successes.
“The body of work is the most important thing to judge,” VanGorder said. “You can say that at this point in time that we’ve been inconsistent.”
A major problem for the Falcons this season has been third-down efficiency. The defense has struggled to get off the field. Although the Lions were 1-for-12 on third down, the Falcons still rank 26th in the league (44 percent) in that category.
Controlling down and distance is a point of emphasis.
“You bring up the last game where we had a very good game in the third-down area, but we have to consistently go out and win third down,” VanGorder said. “That is huge in the ballgame with respect to a lot of things, including the number of plays that you’re exposed to on defense, field position and how that can change field position in a game. But it’s tied into really two things ... we’ve got to keep with a good process in terms of understanding third down, down and distance.
“Philosophically, you’re going to be much different on third-and-2 than you are on third-and-10. That’s just good execution.”
The Falcons’ recent success begins with pressure from the defensive line, according to safety William Moore. After having five sacks in the season opener against the Bears, the Falcons went three consecutive games without a sack. They have nine in the past three games, along with 21 quarterback hits.
“It helps a lot because you don’t want to be in coverage forever,” Moore said.
The secondary cashed in on the pressure provided by the defensive line. The Falcons are tied for seventh in the league with nine interceptions, including three against the Panthers. They’ve had several well-documented drops that could have added to the total.
“We are getting a good job of getting the ball back to our offense, creating turnovers, especially on the back end,” safety Thomas DeCoud said. “Sometimes you are going to give up yards, especially on explosive plays, because this is the NFL. It’s a competitive league. As long as we are getting the ball back, I think we are doing well.”
The Falcons have a chance to continue the roll. On Sunday they play at the Colts, who rank 27th in the NFL in passing offense. After hosting the league’s top-rating passing offense in the Saints, the Falcons play the Titans (14th) and the Vikings (29th) at the Georgia Dome the following Sundays.
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