The Falcons rushing attack is stuck in reverse.
After generating more than 100 yards in nine of 11 games last season, the Falcons have not rushed for more than 100 yards in any of their past six games.
They opened the season by rushing for just 52 yards on 22 carries against Tampa Bay for a paltry 2.3-yards-per-carry average. Running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman were repeatedly stopped in their tracks by linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David, who combined for 23 tackles.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn admitted to being surprised how the running game was shut down.
“We’ll just watch the film and try to make our corrections,” Freeman said “I feel like everyone just has to do their job. Execute. Do your job and execute.”
After sputtering down the stretch of last season, the Falcons labored over the offseason and in training camp to get the ground game back up to speed.
The tight ends play a key role in blocking in the outside zone rushing scheme the Falcons utilize but tight end Levine Toilolo struggled against Tampa Bay. His 32.7 run block grade on 11 blocks was lower than any run block grade he received in 2015, according to profootballfocus.com.
Tight end Jacob Tamme similarly struggled. His 67.9 run blocking from profootballbocus.com was also considered below average.
Guard Chris Chester and sometimes center Alex Mack had a tough time with Tampa Bay All-Pro tackle Gerald McCoy, who had three tackles, a sack, two tackles for losses and two tipped passes.
Running the ball more effectively could solve several of the Falcons’ offensive issues, from being able to run more no-huddle offense to scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
The 52 ground yards represented the Falcons’ lowest output since they managed just 17 yards against San Francisco on Nov. 8, 2015. The last time the Falcons rushed for more than 100 yards was against Minnesota (116 yards) on Nov. 29.
Closing out last season, the Falcons rushed for 64 yards against Tampa Bay, 54 against Carolina, 83 against Jacksonville, 77 against Carolina at home and 87 against New Orleans. Over their past six games, the Falcons have rushed 155 times for 417 yards, an average of 2.6 yards per carry.
Quinn has repeatedly stated that the team will used both running backs after Freeman carried most of the load last season.
“Devonta has shown he’s definitely capable of carrying a load all the way through, but the fact that we have two guys that we’re able to feature is important,” Quinn said. “Both of them are going to be a really big factor in what we’re doing.”
But doesn’t matter how the carries are being split if there’s no room to run.
“We had some opportunities to hit some big ones (vs. Tampa Bay),” Quinn said. “They’ve got some really talented guys in the front and we knew it’d be a challenge in the run game. But can you have a couple of those that go for the 20- or 25-yard run? When those don’t break, then it doesn’t show up that we had a successful day running.”
The Falcons longest run from scrimmage on Sunday was a 10-yarder by Freeman.
While blocking problems both outside and in the interior of the line must be addressed, Quinn doesn’t seem to have an issue with the running backs.
“They ran hard but when those opportunities come, that’s about doing right longer and finishing on the play,” Quinn said.
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