The Falcons defense sucks. There’s no two ways around it after hitting rock bottom on Sunday when Raheem Morris’ team allowed the Broncos, led by rookie Bo Nix, to score 38 points. Worst of all, they probably could’ve scored more too.
On the year, the Falcons’ defense ranks 26th in scoring, 25th in total yards allowed per game, dead last in sacks, 30th in third-down conversion, last in completion percentage, and 30th in drives ending in scores.
Nix led the Denver offense to 400 yards of offense, scores on six of their eight possessions, and still let the foot off the pedal. It’s prompted a lot of fans to question Jimmy Lake’s position under Morris, a question the club’s head coach isn’t entertaining.
“There’s no major thing going on,” Morris said when asked about the possibility of taking play-calling duties away from Lake, via Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated. “I’ve got no breaking news for you that anybody’s doing anything that way.”
I generally subscribe to the notion that there’s never a bad time to make the correct decision, and from where I sit, Lake coordinating this defense isn’t what’s best for the Falcons. Granted, adjustments can be made, and I honestly don’t think Bill Belichick, Buddy Ryan, and Dick LeBeau could do much better with this sorry bunch.
The Falcons don’t have a pass rusher on the roster that can consistently win one-on-ones, but it doesn’t help when Lake doesn’t help them at all by playing off coverage and rushing four. It’s a situation that needs to be self-scouted over the bye week and adjusted ahead of the stretch run. Thankfully, Morris is clearly open to that.
“Everything’s always going to be up for discussion for how we do things better,” Raheem Morris continued. “We’re never ever going to stay stagnant and tell you that it’s one-size-fit-all for anything. But, everything’s always going to be evaluated.”
The Falcons defense is never going to be a top 10 unit as currently constructed. It just doesn’t have the horses, but in a game where the Falcons offense couldn’t muster much, Jimmy Lake needs to be better when facing a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix. Letting that guy have a career day should embarrass everyone in Flowery Branch.
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