If you're reading this blog post, you're probably someone who sat through another tortuous road game for the Atlanta Falcons. The 30-20 loss to the New York Giants drops the Falcons to 2-3 on the season. It wasn't all bad for the Falcons, but what became extremely apparent is that this team must completely depend on their offense to win games. After scoring on four of their first seven possessions, the Falcons held a 10 point lead. But after failing to score on their final four drives, the Falcons found themselves losing another road game.
Here is what I took away from this game review:
- The Falcons run defense was improved from the Vikings game. But the overall defensive talent can only handle so much.
- The Falcons offensive line were night and day in the first to second half. Fatigue, experience, skill level are all factors.
- When Coach Mike Smith talks about scheming to get the ball to RB Antone Smith its all about getting open field opportunities while limiting his exposure to regular pounding.
Let's take a look at a few plays:
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3rd and 10 - 13:29 NYG 29 yard line (1st QT) 0-0 score:
The Giants found themselves in their first 3rd and long of the game at the end of their first drive. The Giants offense decided to attempt to surprise the Falcons run defense and run a toss sweep to attack the edge of the defense. Coach Mike Smith talked during the week about the improvement needed in run defense on all three levels (DL-LB-DB). On this play, LB Kroy Biermann set the edge against TE Larry Donnell. S Dez Southward quickly attacked to fill the hole while LB Paul Worrilow cut off the backside escape for RB Rashad Jennings. Small gain for the Giants as the Falcons handled the play properly.
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1st and 10 - 11:46 NYG 17 yard line (1st QT) 0-0 score:
Now here is an example of where the Falcons did not handle the Giants running game very well. The Giants doubled DT Paul Soliai on the snap of the football and quickly got a push up front. As RB Rashad Jennings takes the ball, LB Paul Worrilow is tasked with filling the hole as Jennings approaches him.
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Unfortunately Worrilow misses the tackle as Jennings runs past him for a nine yard gain on first down.
3rd and 4 - 13:29 NYG 37 yard line (1st QT) 0-0 score:
The first big play of the game was a 42 yard reception to Giants WR Preston Parker. This big play occurred because the Falcons gambled with scheme. On the play, the Falcons rushed three and dropped eight defenders into zone coverage. In this shot, you can see five Falcons defensive players lined up in zones along the NYG 43 yard line preparing to attack the short pass. Giants TE Larry Donnell enters into the middle of the field and threatens LB Paul Worrilow. Worrilow jumps the Donnell route as he is the only defender who can take it away. Unfortunately, WR Parker takes off deep after his shallow route against the Falcons zone was ineffective.
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1st and 10 - 2:31 NYG 10 yard line (1st QT) 7-0 Giants Lead:
The Falcons run game was efficient in that the team rushed for a 4.3 yards per carry average. During the first half, the offense had success running their larger sets and bringing players across the formation for kick-out blocks. On this play, TE Levine Toilolo is tasked with earning the edge for the Falcons. Giants LB Jacquian Williams moved into position to make the play.
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The play resulted in a 10 yard touchdown run for RB Steven Jackson.
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1st and 10 - 8:53 NYG 19 yard line (2nd QT) 10-7 Falcons Lead:
The second quarter set the tone for the remainder of the game for the Giants offense. This drive began with the Giants running the football on four of the next five plays. On this play, LB Kroy Biermann got caught as LT Will Beatty picks him off. Biermann was looking to set the edge against the TE, but once the TE blocked down inside Biermann was late in adjusting to the pulling Beatty. The play resulted in a 16 yard gain for RB Jennings, as the Giants recorded 29 yards on their five carries. The drive ended in a made FG and a 10-10 score.
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3rd and 3 - 6:21 ATL 26 yard line (3rd QT) 13-10 Falcons Lead:
When Coach Mike Smith talks about getting RB Antone Smith more touches these are the sorts of scenarios that you want. On this play, the Giants are blitzing QB Matt Ryan with six defenders. The Giants are in man coverage with S Antrel Rolle having RB Smith as his responsibility. 74 yards later, its a touchdown catch for Smith.
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3rd and 10 - :40 ATL 21 yard line (3rd QT) 20-17 Falcons Lead:
The Falcons offensive line played like a completely different unit in the 2nd half. The Giants decided to unleash some of their games along the line to see if they could confuse a Falcons line that has not played together very much. On this play, DE Jason Pierre-Paul and DE Robert Ayers are running a stunt. JPP crashes hard inside and occupies the attention of both LT Jake Matthews and LG Harland Gunn. As you can see, Ayers loops around the outside and forces QB Ryan to get rid of the ball before he's ready. Incompletion on the play.
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4th and 1 - 4:40 ATL 29 yard line (4th QT) 27-20 Giants Lead:
The final play of consequence for the Falcons was the 4th down call with the team down by seven. Simply put, LG Harland Gunn is badly beaten on the play with an inside swim move by DT Jonathan Hankins and destroys the play. Whether you agree with going for it or not, the inability to handle the Giants front four was typical of the 2nd half. The Falcons offense just couldn't run with this type of pressure on Matt Ryan.
-los
