Falcons tied for last in the NFL in sacks

Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley (44) forces Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) to throw incomplete.  Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley (44) forces Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) to throw incomplete. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

In five games, the Falcons have recorded only five sacks, which ranks tied with Denver and Miami for last in the NFL.

Grady Jarrett leads the team with two sacks. Vic Beasley has 1.5 sacks, Adrian Clayborn has a sack and Takk McKinley has one-half of a sack.

“I would say if you play better a little bit on first and second down, that’s a time where you’re able to get some up the field and deny the ball where the ball’s not out as quickly,” coach Dan Quinn said.

“That's one area. When you get into those third-down moments to where you get a chance to get after the quarterback as a four-man rush, you have to be able to deliver on that.”

Quinn is contemplating blitzing more.

“That would be, in the passing downs, you’re able to on the second down and longer and the third downs you’re able to generate that, whether by blitz or by four-man pass rush, ways to do that and we clearly need to improve in that area,” Quinn said.

The Falcons are 1-4 and will play at Arizona at 4:05 p.m. Sunday.

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