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I didn't see the game but from looking at the recaps and stats came away with a few thoughts about Atlanta. Perhaps somebody with more knowledge can correct, amplify, whatever.
Defensively the Falcons allowed Jake Delhomme to complete over 60% of his passes for over 300 yards. In addition Carolina ran for 144 yards, averaging close to six yards per rush. The Panthers were able to roll up 440 yards against the Falcons, gaining an average of 6.6 yards per snap. In addition the Carolina offense was able to convert on 7 out of 12 third downs against the Falcons. The Atlanta defense did force two turnovers however, which helped limit Carolina to 20 points. But considering the way the Panthers were able to move the ball - they punted just two times - perhaps the Falcons' defense is just what the doctor ordered to get the Pats offense back on track.
On offense Tony Gonzalez seems to have already become the Falcons go-to-guy. He caught all seven passes that were thrown his way last week, for 71 yards and a touchdown. In two games Ryan has thrown the ball to Gonzalez 16 times, resulting in 12 completions for 144 yards and two touschdowns. Neutralizing Gonzalez will obviously be one of the Pats priorities on defense.
The other big weapon for Atlanta is RB Michael Turner. For all the press Ryan gets, it looks like Atlanta is more of a running team than a passing team. Turner carried the ball 28 times last week and in two weeks has carried the ball a league-high 50 times already. As a team the Falcons ran the ball a whopping 37 times last week for 151 yards - but only 4.1 yards per attempt. Turner is no threat to catch the ball out of the backfield; he has one reception for five yards this year and totalled just six receptions for 41 yards last season.
QB Matt Ryan has thrown 5 TD and just one INT in two games so far, after posting a 16:11 ratio last year. He completed 20 of 27 last week and though his yardage may not be as high as some other quarterbacks, his completion percentage and QB rating are among the NFL's best. Roddy White was Ryan's favorite target last year, but there's a significant dropoff after he and Gonzalez: Marty Booker, Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran are adequate but nothing special.
Special Teams looks like it may be a very strong suit for Atlanta. Jason Elam still has a strong and accurate leg on field goals. All five of Michael Koenen's kickoffs went for touchbacks last week. Koenen also punts and averaged 49.7 yards per punt last week with a net of 44.0; last year he had 25 punts inside the twenty and the Falcons as a team allowed only 49 punt return yards last year, an NFL record. Falcons opponents starting field position was the 24.6 yard line last year, 2nd best in the NFL.
Defensively the Falcons allowed Jake Delhomme to complete over 60% of his passes for over 300 yards. In addition Carolina ran for 144 yards, averaging close to six yards per rush. The Panthers were able to roll up 440 yards against the Falcons, gaining an average of 6.6 yards per snap. In addition the Carolina offense was able to convert on 7 out of 12 third downs against the Falcons. The Atlanta defense did force two turnovers however, which helped limit Carolina to 20 points. But considering the way the Panthers were able to move the ball - they punted just two times - perhaps the Falcons' defense is just what the doctor ordered to get the Pats offense back on track.
On offense Tony Gonzalez seems to have already become the Falcons go-to-guy. He caught all seven passes that were thrown his way last week, for 71 yards and a touchdown. In two games Ryan has thrown the ball to Gonzalez 16 times, resulting in 12 completions for 144 yards and two touschdowns. Neutralizing Gonzalez will obviously be one of the Pats priorities on defense.
The other big weapon for Atlanta is RB Michael Turner. For all the press Ryan gets, it looks like Atlanta is more of a running team than a passing team. Turner carried the ball 28 times last week and in two weeks has carried the ball a league-high 50 times already. As a team the Falcons ran the ball a whopping 37 times last week for 151 yards - but only 4.1 yards per attempt. Turner is no threat to catch the ball out of the backfield; he has one reception for five yards this year and totalled just six receptions for 41 yards last season.
QB Matt Ryan has thrown 5 TD and just one INT in two games so far, after posting a 16:11 ratio last year. He completed 20 of 27 last week and though his yardage may not be as high as some other quarterbacks, his completion percentage and QB rating are among the NFL's best. Roddy White was Ryan's favorite target last year, but there's a significant dropoff after he and Gonzalez: Marty Booker, Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran are adequate but nothing special.
Special Teams looks like it may be a very strong suit for Atlanta. Jason Elam still has a strong and accurate leg on field goals. All five of Michael Koenen's kickoffs went for touchbacks last week. Koenen also punts and averaged 49.7 yards per punt last week with a net of 44.0; last year he had 25 punts inside the twenty and the Falcons as a team allowed only 49 punt return yards last year, an NFL record. Falcons opponents starting field position was the 24.6 yard line last year, 2nd best in the NFL.