The Atlanta Falcons‘ defense is shaping up to be one of the season’s biggest surprises for national fans and the media. The unit is viewed as on its way to elite status. What have they done to land on PFN’s top-ten defense list after three weeks of play?
Even with veteran quarterback Cooper Rush’s inept play, the defense has still delivered impressive performances, both individually and as a unit.
Through three games, the Falcons defense has the third-best impact grade in the league, the fourth-lowest opponent success rate, and is tied for eighth in explosive plays allowed.
The Falcons are also generating pressure at a high level, and they’re doing it without their young edge rushers. With James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker both unavailable, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been able to rotate his front four to get the best out of the unit.
Interior linemen Gervon Dexter Sr. and Brandon Dorlus are creating pressure at a high rate, while edge rusher Cameron Thomas and Za’Darius Smith are not only moving the quarterback off their spot, but creating sacks, combining for four sacks so far this year.
Typically, the secondary would be led by star cornerback A.J. Terrell and star safety Jessie Bates III, but with Terrell out with a groin injury, Bates and young, emerging safety Xavier Watts are solidifying the back end. Watts, for his part, got his first interception of the year in week three in Green Bay, proving his rookie season as a ball hawk wasn’t a fluke.
Though the Packers were missing their best two offensive linemen and best running back, that shouldn’t take much away from the Falcons’ impressive defensive performance, holding the Packers to 14 points and the running backs to a combined 17 yards.
Along with the Watts pick, they held Love to two touchdowns while also getting him on the ground.
Falcons fans and local media know this is a continuing trend from the past two seasons. Former head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Ulbrich were moving this unit in the right direction. Their early success this season shows that this was the plan all along.
