The great thing about the NFL is that the storylines during a season continuously change. That can be for better or for worse. If you asked me why I believed the Atlanta Falcons would beat the Chicago Bears last Sunday I could only point to the Georgia Dome. The Falcons have been a good offensive football team playing at home. They've proven to win shootouts, overcome turnovers, and sometimes win in the wildest of fashions. None of that happened Sunday against the Bears as the offense only managed 13 points. The Bears played keep away from the Falcons, allowing the Atlanta offense to run only 54 plays.
Here is what I took away from this game review:
- The longer this makeshift line is on the field for the Falcons, the least effective it gets. 60 plays is asking too much.
- RT Gabe Carimi is a good swing tackle in this league. But asking more from him is problematic. I don't believe that LG Justin Blalock is close to being healthy. Blalock is limited in his movement and power right now.
- Once again, RB Antone Smith had another long scoring play. If the team can set him up for a one-on-one opportunity Smith is going to win. But he is a liability in solo pass protection.
Let's take a look at a few plays:
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3rd and 10 - 10:03 CHI 34 yard line (1st QT) 0-0 score:
The Falcons took their opening drive down to the Bears end of the field. Because of the status of the defense, which we've discussed quite a bit, the Falcons need to put as many touchdowns on the board instead of field goals. On this play, QB Matt Ryan deals with pressure to his left. LG Justin Blalock has DL Lamar Houston lined up over his outside shoulder. Houston attacks Blalock's left side and causes Ryan to have to unload the football down the field early. Ryan made an incredible throw that was nearly caught. Instead of first and 10, the drive ends in a made field goal.
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1st and 10 - 13:17 ATL 38 yard line (2nd QT) 3-3 score:
RB Antone Smith continues to make big plays each and every week. Smith is the only player in the league that makes the coaching staff look bad every time he makes a big play. But the legitimate issue with Smith is that he has a difficult time when he attempts to pick up blitzes in pass protection. He is more than adequate at chipping DE's and OLB's, but regular playing time potentially puts QB Matt Ryan in harm's way. On this play Ryan completed a pass downfield. But Smith had a difficult time holding his ground against the blitz.
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1st and 10 - 13:17 ATL 26 yard line (3rd QT) 13-3 Bears Lead:
This is the challenge for the Falcons. When given a clean pocket, QB Matt Ryan can pick apart defenses with his weapons in the passing game. On this play, Ryan completed a 29 yard pass downfield to WR Julio Jones. As you can see the pocket is formed and Ryan is left to throw without issue.
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3rd and 6 - 11:28 CHI 41 yard line (3rd QT) 13-3 Bears Lead:
While there are issues with giving regular snaps to RB Antone Smith, there are few players in the NFL who can make the plays he's making. On this 3rd down, the Falcons run a quick screen to get Smith out in space. RT Gabe Carimi and RG Jon Asamoah get to the edge to pickup the oncoming defenders. Here is where this play is different than the play against the New York Giants. The safeties on the play were in a cover 2. The remaining safety who is highlighted in blue is charged with bringing down Smith. But he was so fast in space that the safety quickly lost the angle. Touchdown Smith from 41 yards out.
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1st and 10 - 8:24 ATL 42 yard line (3rd QT) 13-10 Bears Lead:
Here is where things begin to fall apart for the Falcons as they lose the battle up front. On the play, RT Gabe Carimi is quickly beaten by DL Lamar Houston. QB Matt Ryan was hit on the play. The drive ended in a game tying field goal, but the Bears began to have success attacking the right side of the Falcons offensive line.
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3rd and 14 - 4:30 ATL 48 yard line (4th QT) 27-13 Bears Lead:
This would turn into one of the four sacks the Falcons gave up on the afternoon. DE Willie Young beats RT Carimi to the outside. RB Jacquizz Rodgers was supposed to chip Young on the play. Simply put, it wasn't much of an effort.
-los