Much to the consternation of coach Dan Quinn, the Falcons may have to blitz more to create a pass rush.
The Falcons have blitzed 54 times on pass plays, according to research by Jack Farrell of profootballfocus.com.
Farrell's research also revealed that they have blitzed on 20 percent of passing plays. The league average is 30 percent. The Falcons blitz percentage is 27th in the NFL.
The Falcons have spent a lot of time and resources with the goal of having an improved pass rush, but after six games, the Falcons’ pass-rush efficiency is down from last season.
In 2014, the Falcons harassed the quarterback – either with a sack, hit or hurry – on 249 of 635 passing downs for a pass-rush efficiency of 39.2 percent.
This season, the Falcons have harassed the quarterback on 72 of 234 passing downs for a pass-rush efficiency of 30.7 percent.
Last season, the Falcons finished with just 22 sacks, which tied with Oakland for 30th in the league. In 2015, the Falcons have seven sacks, which is tied with Miami and the New York Giants for 30th.
They are on pace for 18.6 sacks. Denver leads the NFL with 26 sacks.
“Our pass rush, right now, needs to improve,” defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. “Everybody knows that. We know that. Players know it. We need to do a better job with that. From a four-man rush, to pressuring, all of those things, what we need to do is finish our rush.”
About the Author
