Worst Tackling Team in the League

[mgcolby]

Your 2016 Atlanta Falcons folks.

By any measurable (that I can think of and or find at least) they are at the bottom. Funny is Carolina is a close 2nd. New Orleans offsets themselves by being top 15 in Return Coverages.

Atlanta: (League Ranking)
YAC allowed - 32nd
KO Ret Coverage- 21st
Punt Ret Coverage- 26th

In contrast NE is the best.
YAC allowed- 1st
KO Ret coverage- 3rd
Punt Ret coverage - 2nd

Now the Offensive YAC leaders in the NFL

1. New Orleans
2. Atlanta
3. NE

So once again you have the Number 3 YAC offense against the 32nd ranked defense in YAC allowed; and the more evenly matched 2nd ranked YAC offense against the number 1 ranked defense in YAC allowed.

Also find it odd, that a Dan Quinn defense would be this bad at tackling given how good Seattle tackles and how popular their Hawk tackling video is among youth and HS football. I know I have to watch the video and take the test every year.

Just some things that I noticed that does not seem to get much discussion in the non-stop how will NE stop the Falcons Offense hyperbole.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

This feels good to read.

Can the Pats keep pace with the high-powered Atlanta offense?

Yes, against the Atlanta defense.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Three words: Blount Force Trauma.

 

[FourierSeries]

The Atlanta defense is awful. This isn't exactly a huge revelation (unless you're a Falcons fan.)

 

[PatsFanInVa]

They're kinda little too.

 

[mgcolby]

The Atlanta defense is awful. This isn't exactly a huge revelation (unless you're a Falcons fan.)

Just pointing out some other measurable's that can't be simply explained away by "prevent defense"

And to some degree just wanted to point it out to the falcon fans that may voyeur our great site. But holy **** if you read their board it appears they have two types of posters in regards to the defesne....1. this defense is good its all garbage points/yardage. 2. those that choose to bury their head in the sand.

I don't feel like creating an account over there because those folks are impossible to have a conversation with. To be fair there are only one or two pats fans over there that are trying to talk football. The rest are just trolling.

 

[BelichickFan]

Their bad PR number, on its face, looks like it wouldn't hurt them as our PR haven't been good. With Edelman now returning punts in the playoffs, though, that could be an interesting stat to remember.

 

[mgcolby]

They're kinda little too.

They are a classic dome team. Speed, Speed, Speed. You can go back to the run and shoot Oilers to the late 90's early 2000's Rams, Colts with Manning and the Saints since Brees.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Oh no! Not the early 2000s Rams or the Colts with Manning!

I guess "let 'em play" ain't happening this weekend.

 

[mgcolby]

Their bad PR number, on its face, looks like it wouldn't hurt them as our PR haven't been good. With Edelman now returning punts in the playoffs, though, that could be an interesting stat to remember.

I almost put that in there. I'm conflicted on our PR so I left it out. Since Cyrus has been relieved of his duties along with AD's injury and relying on Jules they have been conservative in their returns. So early season stats in PR include the guy with a case of fumbleitis and then trying to remain healthy and just take the field position.

So honestly I don't know what they do Sunday. I would guess they put Dola back there and say let it fly given what Hester did to them and their season totals.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

If we had a healthy Bennett or Gronk it would very different story imo.

We need something out of Bennett Sunday.

Even still I think we score 30+

 

[BelichickFan]

I almost put that in there. I'm conflicted on our PR so I left it out. Since Cyrus has been relieved of his duties along with AD's injury and relying on Jules they have been conservative in their returns. So early season stats in PR include the guy with a case of fumbleitis and then trying to remain healthy and just take the field position.

So honestly I don't know what they do Sunday. I would guess they put Dola back there and say let it fly given what Hester did to them and their season totals.

I could be wrong but I'm assuming Edelman will return punts. Nothing to save him for now.

 

[venecol]

They are a classic dome team. Speed, Speed, Speed. You can go back to the run and shoot Oilers to the late 90's early 2000's Rams, Colts with Manning and the Saints since Brees.

You seem to be talking about their O while I believe he was referring about their D, no?

 

[mgcolby]

You seem to be talking about their O while I believe he was referring about their D, no?

I was referring to both sides of the ball. And their defense is undersized and fast.

 

[Nikolai]

Three words: Blount Force Trauma.

Don't forget the cat-like Dion Lewis. Even good tackling teams can't seem to find a way to bring him down without a few misses.

Might see a big game from him as well.

 

[mgcolby]

Don't forget the cat-like Dion Lewis. Even good tackling teams can't seem to find a way to bring him down without a few misses.

Might see a big game from him as well.

That is an excellent point. Good tackling teams struggle to get him on the ground. How will the worst tackling team fair. My initial thought is he has a big 2 1/2 - 3 quarters and it might not be the trauma until the 4th quarter.

 

[mgcolby]

I could be wrong but I'm assuming Edelman will return punts. Nothing to save him for now.

you're probably right.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Wouldn't it be funny if Matt Lengel has a career of stats on Sunday.

 

[XLIX]

If the Patriots avoid turnovers, they win the game. Of this I have no doubt.

 

[DaveEG]

Just pointing out some other measurable's that can't be simply explained away by "prevent defense"

And to some degree just wanted to point it out to the falcon fans that may voyeur our great site. But holy **** if you read their board it appears they have two types of posters in regards to the defesne....1. this defense is good its all garbage points/yardage. 2. those that choose to bury their head in the sand.

I don't feel like creating an account over there because those folks are impossible to have a conversation with. To be fair there are only one or two pats fans over there that are trying to talk football. The rest are just trolling.

As far as difficult to have a conversation with, it is really hard to find a Patriots fan who has watched an entire Falcons game all year. If you watched the Monday night game in week 3 vs. New Orleans and the play off game against the Seahawks, that will give you a pretty good feel for how the defense has improve throughout the year.

If you have never watched a game, there is no reason anyone should be impressed with Atlanta's defense based on a stats sheet. If you do watch the games, you see a lot of speed and violence. The defense passes the eye test. The Falcons defense isn't about shutting you down. It is about making a couple of big plays that create a turnover or force a punt. They tied for the league lead in defensive touchdowns. Vic Beasley and Keanu Neal had 11 forced fumbles between them.

Bottom line, NEs defense is much more efficient. Atlanta's defense is much more likely to force a mistake and cash it in for 6 points. Atlanta's defense plays with house money due to the efficiency of the offense.

To me, you can boil it down to point differential if you are not going to watch any tape. That stat pretty much touches on everything. Offense, defense, turnovers, missed tackles...it is all in there. The Patriots are about 3.5 better than the Falcons. They are favored by 3. I'd say that is a pretty good indication of where these teams are at. If everything averages out, the Patriots are a field goal better. If Atlanta can make one more 3rd down stop than average, its anyone's ball game.

I've watched NE enough to have total respect for their team. Win or lose, you guys will respect the Falcons more after you see the game than you do now.