The Atlanta Falcons delivered another uninspiring performance on Monday Night, beating the lowly Raiders 15-9. The win does break a four-game losing streak, but the lackluster performance from Kirk Cousins will once again dominate the headlines as the calls for Michael Penix Jr. only grow louder.
It’s understandable; continuing to start Kirk Cousins while his play progressively worsens is beginning to feel indefensible. He’s playing as abysmally as any quarterback in the league, rookies included. However, that conversation has completely overshadowed a positive trend that Falcons fans have been waiting to happen for over a decade.
In the last three weeks, no team has been better at getting after the passer than the Atlanta Falcons. Last night, the Falcons pass rush sacked Desmond Ridder four times, holding the Raiders to just nine points while also producing two of their own with a safety. It was the Falcons’ third straight game with at least four sacks, the longest streak in the NFL. It’s also the first time the Falcons have had at least four sacks in three straight games since the 2004 campaign, per Falcons beat writer Tori McElhaney.
Over the last three weeks, the Falcons have doubled their sack total as a team, and they are doing so by using a committee approach. Kaden Ellis continues to prove he’s one of the most versatile linebackers in the game. Arnold Ebekitie is beginning to turn things around following a slow start. Hell, even DeAngelo Malone, who looked to be on his way out of town, has racked up a couple of sacks over the last two weeks.
This is still a unit that lacks a premier pass rusher. They haven’t had one since John Abraham was wreaking havoc on quarterbacks in the Georgia Dome. Acquiring one this upcoming offseason will undoubtedly be a focal point, but perhaps the depth across the line of description isn’t as bad as initially thought. It’s certainly a storyline worth monitoring down the stretch.
—
Photographer: John Adams/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.