The NFC South is ridiculous. At 4-6, and after being left for dead with vultures circling, the Atlanta Falcons are now in first place in the division. It's amazing how a couple of wins in a row can complete change a team's standings in this division. But hey, first place is first place. Someone has to win the division. The Falcons might as well compete for it and be relevant into December.
While beating Tampa on the road ended the awful losing streak, beating Carolina on the road now gives the Falcons a path to playing well in the second half. The team will get a return trip from the Panthers to end the season as four of their last six are at home. But first things first, as the Cleveland Browns are at the dome on Sunday.
Here is what I took away from this game review:
- The Falcons defense is developing an identity. We have seen them become more creative with their blitz packages. Now they're calling those blitzes more often.
- Safety Kemal Ishmael is being asked to do much more in coverage and at the line of scrimmage.
- This group is going down, or going to survive by pulling out all the stops. The aggressive calls on both sides of the ball have increased. Now if they would only scrap that damn receiver tunnel screen.
Let's take a look at a few plays:
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1st and 10 - 12:47 CAR 25 yard line (1st QT) 0-0 Score:
The Falcons got off the bus on Sunday ready to blitz Panthers QB Cam Newton. The Panthers offensive line has been a mess and their weapons don't regularly threaten you down the field. On this play, the Falcons are bringing their three down linemen, OLB Kory Biermann, and MLB Paul Worrilow. The Panthers start their first possession by busting their count and allowing both DE Tyson Jackson and Worrilow to come untouched at Newton. A 15 yard roughing penalty on Jackson saved the play, but set the tone for the game.
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3rd and 9 - 3:34 ATL 40 yard line (1st QT) 0-0 Score:
This play did not get the intended results as QB Cam Newton was able to scramble away from pressure and deliver a first down pass. But it points out how the Falcons are willing to send considerable blitzes on 3rd down now. S Kemal Ishmael, who had already intercepted a pass in the game, comes on the blitz and forces the Panthers offensive linemen to handle their assignments one-on-one.
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3rd and 10 - 2:02 CAR 40 yard line (2nd QT) 3-3 Score:
The Falcons defense recorded one of their two sacks on this play as the defense did an outstanding job in man coverage against the Panthers. With only one safety playing centerfield, the Falcons secondary took away any opportunity for a completion.
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3rd and 10 - 13:44 CAR 28 yard line (3rd QT) 3-3 Score:
On this play, CB Desmond Trufant turned the game in the Falcons favor just out of half time. The Falcons were playing man-free on this play. While there is a safety defending deep, the outside corners are essentially alone on islands. S Kemal Ishmael blitzes on this play but is picked up immediately.
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The play results in an easy interception as Trufant jumps the slant route and sets up the Falcons to take the lead.
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1st and 10 - 6:48 ATL 46 yard line (4TH QT) 16-10 Falcons Lead:
The play that allowed the Panthers to take a late lead in the ball game came from taking advantage of the Falcons assignments. TE Olsen runs across the field at 10 yards just behind the defending LBs and in front of S Kemal Ishmael. Once the Falcons defense adjusted to Olsen, there is clearly a man-to-man situation on the outside of the field. QB Newton makes the deep throw for the 17-16 lead.
-los