This Falcons season is not complicated. At 2-5, we've reached a point that feels eerily like last season. The offensive line play is poor, there are limited opportunities for the offensive pieces to shine, and the pass rush is wildly inconsistent. As someone who hosts a Falcons post game show each week, I feel like I'm getting ready to live in my very own version of the film Groundhog Day.
What 2014 is highlighting for the Falcons fan is the importance of line play in the NFL, just as 2013 did. You can have Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, DeMarco Murray, and Matt Ryan on this offense and I firmly believe reaching 21 points would be very difficult. That's what happens when you now start your 2nd LT, 3rd C, 3rd RT, and your LG is nursing a back injury.
Here is what I took away from this game review:
- Falcons opponents, dating back to the Giants game, are having success playing games up front.
- The interior line for the Falcons doesn't have bad players. But it's playing terribly due to a lack of cohesion. LG Justin Blalock is hurt and RG Jon Asamoah is playing next to a new C seemingly every week. Simple twist plays from the defensive line are causing these guys issues in communication.
- Just as in 2013, Matt Ryan has to survive the next nine games in order to have a small success story for the season.
Let's take a look at a few plays:
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3rd and 3 - 10:32 ATL 27 yard line (1st QT) 7-0 Ravens Lead:
This is concerning for the Falcons. The Baltimore Ravens decided to challenge the Falcons offensive line on their second possession of the game. The Ravens decide to send a blitz on the play by rushing five defensive players. The Falcons have six blockers on the play. It's simply a matter of counting and communicating. LB Daryl Smith lines up over RG Jon Asamoah but is simply looking to confuse the protection scheme.
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On the snap, you'll see that the three Ravens rushing the quarterback. With LB Daryl Smith dropping out of the rush, RT Gabe Carimi and RG Jon Asamoah are left to block #97 DT Timmy Jernigan. LG Justin Blalock doubles LB Pernell McPhee with C Peter Konz, and once that occurs the real problems begin. The confusions leaves just two blockers for the three Ravens rushing QB Matt Ryan.
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The play ends in an incomplete pass as S Will Hill hits QB Matt Ryan on the play.
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1st and 10 - 8:51 ATL 45 yard line (1st QT) 7-0 Ravens Lead:
This Falcons drive was the best of the first half. But it also points to how poor the line is playing and how little time there is for QB Matt Ryan. This play is going to be a quick throw to RB Freeman in the flat. Ryan did not take a drop on this play. He simply took the snap and immediately shuffled his feet to quickly throw the football. Unfortunately, Ryan takes a punishing hit on the play. The Ravens line up and show that both LB Daryl Smith and DE Deangelo Tyson will attack the A-gap. Again, the count is wrong and the line is confused. LG Justin Blalock doubles NT Brandon Williams on the play. DE Tyson is left with a clear shot right into QB Ryan.
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3rd and 10 - 4:23 BAL 17 yard line (1st QT) 7-0 Ravens Lead:
This is not a complicated game up front that the Ravens defense is playing here. The Ravens are using LB CJ Mosley as a pass rusher on this third down play. LB Pernell McPhee has his hand on the ground as an inside pass rusher. On the snap, LB Mosley crashes inside and occupies the attention of the interior line. LB McPhee twists around LB Mosley and finds himself with a clear shot on QB Ryan. Ryan held the ball for an extra count as he searched for an open receiver. The play resulted in a sack-fumble for the Ravens. The best scoring opportunity for the Falcons was ended by this simple game up front.
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-los