The Falcons needed a win in the worst way. Beating a one win Tampa team 27-17 was just what this team needed to silence the critics (including myself) for a week. The discussion has recently turned from whether Falcons Coach Mike Smith can keep his job to who is going to replace him. I certainly don't believe much of this falls on Coach Smith, as his victory over Tampa now runs his regular season record to 7-1 after the bye week.
While a well-placed bye week can help a team with health, one of the more overlooked aspects of a bye week is the chance for a coaching staff to self-scout. The Falcons used their bye week to take a look at what they do well, what they don't, and what they can use the time to improve on.
Here is what I took away from this game review:
- The Falcons offensive line is getting healthier, but more importantly, getting more cohesive. They were better in the run game than they'd been in a couple of months.
- The Falcons defense was more creative with their blitz.
- A few key defensive veterans played their best games of the season. That was the case with edge rushers Osi Umenyiora and Kroy Biermann.
Let's take a look at a few plays:
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1st and 15 - 8:13 ATL 25 yard line (1st QT) 0-0 Score:
The Falcons did a very good job of setting the edge and limiting the Buccaneers running game. On the play, OLB Kroy Biermann attacks TE Brandon Myers on the snap. Myers was tasked with kicking Biermann out of the play. Biermann quickly establishes himself in the Buccaneers backfield and forces RB Bobby Rainey to bounce the play outside. The play loses five yards.
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2nd and 25 - 7:15 ATL 40 yard line (1st QT) 0-0 Score:
It's been frustrating to watch the Falcons continue to give important snaps to veteran players that will not be here once this team is ready to compete again. But the simple truth is that these players and their experience gives this team the best chance to win. On this play which resulted in a sack-fumble, Osi Umenyiora attacks an overmatched Oniel Cousins. Cousins does not get his inside arm on Umenyiora fast enough on the play. This leaves the inside rush exposed. Umenyiora quickly feels the approach and blows past Cousins to make the play.
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2nd and 10 - 5:13 ATL 31 yard line (1st QT) 3-0 Buccaneers Lead:
The Falcons offensive line used the bye week to get healthier for sure, but also to work on their communication. From the game film, you could see them do a better job of diagnosing what was in front of them. On this play, the Falcons accomplish a task we haven't seen over the past few months. They pulled multiple blockers on the play and setup RB Steven Jackson for a nine yard run.
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From another camera angle, you can see how Stone, Matthews, and DiMarco opened up a running lane into the Buccaneers secondary.
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3rd and 3 - 14:31 TAMPA 24 yard line (2nd QT) 7-3 Falcons Lead:
Here's an area where self-scouting proved effective for the Falcons. The defense has attempted to blitz multiple times this year by disguising who was coming up front. On film, you could always see them pack the line of scrimmage than drop players out on the snap. On this play, the Falcons chose to disguise their blitz by showing six blitzers at the line of scrimmage. On the snap, S Ishmael comes on a blitz as the furthest player away from the line of scrimmage. The Falcons immediately take away the hot routes on the play and force a 3rd down incompletion.
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3rd and 10 - :53 ATL 22 yard line (2nd QT) 10-3 Falcons Lead:
CB Robert Alford has gotten his fair share of criticism because of his play of late. Earlier in this game, he was called for holding on WR Vincent Jackson after he lost him down field despite safety help. On this play, WR Mike Evans scored the game tying touchdown just before half time. What's clear from the film (and hopefully this picture) Evans did in fact push off on Alford. Evans fully extended his arm in order to create the space he needed to catch the touchdown.
-los