Small samples, big gains
Kirk Cousins and the Falcons passing offense are wounded. The Falcons best, and perhaps only, way to upset the Eagles is to run the hell out of the ball. They are well equipped to do so with Bijan Robinson. The Eagles defense was not up to the task against the Packers, allowing an embarrassing 7.8 yards per rush against the Packers.
It is too early to hit the panic button but the run defense being the Eagles’ Achilles heel is a very real possibility.
Small Sample Size Alert!
-Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis were on the field together for 7 running plays. One of them was a 32 yard run where Davis as aligned over the right side A gap and Carter over the right side B gap and the Packers ran off tackle to the left. Not much they can do there. But the other six were for an average of 1.2 yards per carry. You can’t run up the middle on these two, but they can’t play every down together.
-The Packers ran on 1st or 2nd and 10 16 times and averaged 8.8 yards per carry. The Falcons would be wise to run in passing downs.
-The Packers had five rushing attempts that went for 10+ yards, three were off tackle. All of them used motion. The Falcons had three rushing attempts that went for 10+ yards, all were off tackle. All of them used motion.
Big Contract, Small Role
Vic Fangio’s words indicated that he doesn’t think much of prized free agent signing Bryce Huff as an all around player. His actions against the Packers confirmed it. The Packers ran 27 plays on 1st down. Brandon Graham and Nolan Smith played on 18 of them, Josh Sweat on 16, and Huff on just 8. He also played the fewest snaps where the down distance was 5 yards or fewer: Sweat 9, Graham 7, Smith 6, Huff 5.
While Fangio doesn’t think much of Huff as a three down player, Fangio did think highly of him as a third down player. The Packers ran 11 plays on 3rd down, and Huff played in all of them.
Just one week, but something to keep an eye on. But hey, at least he played, unlike the guy he replaced.
Rookie mistakes
Remember how last year the Eagles barely played any rookies early in the season, and then later when they needed them they predictably struggled? Well in Week 1 the Falcons had zero (0) offensive or defensive snaps played by a rookie. Ouch.
1st round pick Michael Penix was never going to play on Sunday, but in retrospect maybe he should have? 2nd round edge rusher Bralen Trice was also never going to play because he suffered a season ending knee injury in August. But the rest of the Falcons 2024 draft class did about as much as you or I did. Only 5th round LB JD Bertrand suited up, playing 23 special teams snaps. Everyone else who was healthy was inactive. That included 35th overall pick DT Ruke Orhorhoro and 109th pick DE Brandon Dorlus for a defense with no pass rush. They weren’t reduced to a special teams only role, they were inactive. Terry Fontenot strikes again.
College Football Week 3 Watch List
While we’re on the subject of run defense, let’s look at a couple of big man DTs.
Texas A&M vs Florida – 3:30 ABC
Cam Jackson, Florida
Jackson is massive, 6-6, 340 lbs, and moves well; but he doesn’t bring anything to the table as a pass rusher. Later round pick who will isn’t going to be helped by the dreadful season Florida is about to have.
Georgia vs Kentucky – 7:00 ABC
Deone Walker, Kentucky
Another massive human at 6-6, 345, and one of the top DT prospects this year. He has been inconsistent in the run game but his size and his ceiling are huge.
