Many thought that Dean Pees would improve this defense because it was so bad last year; anything is better. That narrative is officially stale because that historically bad defense in the previous year under Dan Quinn gave up a record 78 points in the first two weeks of 2020. The Falcons gave up a combined 80 points against the Eagles and Buccaneers.
From @ESPNStatsInfo, Atlanta's 80 points allowed are the most allowed through two games in franchise history — two points worse than the 78 allowed last season through two games.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) September 20, 2021
Two of Tampa’s touchdowns were pick-sixes, so it is a bit unfair to entirely blame the defense because they showed some flashes of good play on Sunday. Still, there are so many holes amongst this unit. The entire defensive front needs reworking. Grady Jarrett is someone to build around, but the rest of the defensive line is playing like backups.
Dante Fowler had a potential game-changing sack-fumble but was largely kept in check by Tampa’s tackles. A.J. Terrell is showing glimpses of developing into a reliable corner but is better suited as a CB2 at this point, and both safeties can use upgrading. The defense will lose this team a lot of games this year, so there could be more of these articles coming in the future.
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