Hate week. Not much else needs to be said. The Atlanta Falcons can get off on the right foot as they head into a three-game stretch of division games by stuffing the team from New Orleans in a locker. Here are this week's keys to victory
Bijan Takes Over
Last week, Bijan Robinson couldn't catch his feet against the Kansas City Chiefs. That will have to change this week if the team has any hope of winning, and I expect it will. While much of the focus has been on the teams' line injuries, the Saints will also miss Demario Davis. Davis has been one of the most essential pieces for this defense since his arrival years ago. The linebacker has been a thorn in Atlanta's side for years, but even he struggled to contain Robinson in 2023, who blew by Davis for a 30-yard touchdown reception. With Davis sidelined, Robinson should be able to deliver more damage in the first matchup of 2024.
Confuse Carr
The wheels on New Orleans' $100M QB Derek Carr started to come off against the Philadelphia Eagles. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake will have a chance to capitalize on a beat-up New Orleans offense. The defensive coordinator hasn't taken many risks, and the defensive coverages have been bland, but this is a game where the new safety duo of Justin Simmons and Jessie Bates should shine.
Last year, Bates was able to bait the QB by taking risks of his own, but if Lake is able to muddy the picture and cause Carr to hold the ball or make terrible decisions, then Bates or Simmons won't have to take matters into their own hands.
Mitigate the OL Injuries
Drew Dalman is on injured reserve, and Kaleb McGary has officially been ruled out. Last week, after replacements Ryan Neuzil and Storm Norton checked in, the offense sputtered until midway through the fourth quarter. At that point, it seemed like things started clicking again, and Atlanta began to move the ball. Zac Robinson has his hands full already with the Falcons third down debacle, and that situation only stands to get worse if he can't devise a way to keep Cousins upright and get this running game going again. The young coordinator has gotten better each week, but getting better isn't enough if that improvement isn't transitioning to wins.
Get Pressure from the Interior
The Falcons say they drafted two defensive linemen for the future, but if things don't improve with the current group, they might as well get some run now. The interior pass rush has been a flat-out disappointment. After being touted as the strength of this defense all offseason, multiple players have turned in dud performances. Kentavius Street doesn't have a pressure to his name and is out snapping Zach Harrison and Ta'Quon Graham, who each only have one pressure. Even David Onyemata has looked pedestrian as he checks in with two hurries. Only Grady Jarrett and Eddie Goldman have actually hit the opposing team's quarterback, and Jarrett is the only one in the group with a sack. This unit has no excuse in Week 4--playing a beat-up interior offensive line at home. If they can't get it done this week, then at least one rookie needs to be called up.
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