The Falcons’ pass rush, after being dormant for most of the season, came alive Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
The Falcons, using stunts, blitzes and just the shear power of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, erupted for six sacks and 11 quarterback hits. The unit will be on the hot seat to re-create the rush against Carolina quarterback Kyle Allen at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The Panthers have been sacked 29 times, which ranks 23rd in the NFL. The Panthers’ offensive line has an adjusted sack rate of 8.1%, according to analytics site footballoutsiders.com. The league average in 7.2%.
“I think it was just the coverage and the rush together,” said defensive end Vic Beasley, who had 1.5 sacks before Sunday and now has three. “We covered well, and we rushed well. It was just working in unison. I think it was just a mixture of the two, being locked in on the assignments and being detailed. We just went out there and executed.”
Jarrett leads the Falcons with 5.5 sacks. Beasley said he was feeding off Jarrett, who had 2.5 sacks vs. the Saints.
“I think it’s just good energy,” Beasley said. “When you’re seeing guys make big plays, I think you’re seeing the momentum carry over from the offensive side of the ball to the defensive side of the ball. When they’re putting points up, it gives us encouragement to go out there and put plays up, too.”
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell got his first sack of the season on a blitz. The Falcons went 357 defensive snaps without a sack between the Colts game Sept. 22 to the Seahawks game Oct. 27.
“There isn’t no explanation,” Campbell said. “We just played football the way we’re capable of playing.”
Campbell agreed that the energy was infectious.
“Yeah,” Campbell said. “Football is a team sport, so when you see a teammate doing well it just brings that energy.”
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