January 13, 2018, was the final time the Atlanta Falcons performed in a must-win recreation the place excessive expectations had been positioned on them in opposition to a top-tier opponent. Dealing with the eventual Tremendous Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in a troublesome setting on a chilly Saturday evening within the divisional spherical offered one of many greatest challenges a staff can ask for.
Though the Falcons fell brief and haven’t come near returning to the playoffs since then, it serves as a reminder of how thrilling the occasions had been. Having a staff able to beating anybody, one with a transparent id and a chance to win a championship with a robust staff tradition, is one thing each group aspires to.
The Falcons haven’t performed in a primetime recreation with huge implications since dropping in Philadelphia. It’s been an extended journey again to playoff relevance for a staff battling by means of adversity to finish Tampa Bay’s run as divisional champions. They need to get again to squaring off in opposition to one of the best groups on the most important stage, together with internet hosting a playoff recreation for the primary time in Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Though Raheem Morris went on to win a Tremendous Bowl in Los Angeles, he’s conscious of how lengthy it’s been for the franchise to play in a playoff-like environment. His shut buddy and coach he’ll face on Sunday evening was on the forefront of the Falcons’ success in 2016 and 2017. Dan Quinn has accomplished a rare job uplifting the Commanders into changing into a playoff-worthy staff. It is going to be an incredible take a look at to see if Morris’ staff can beat a staff of that caliber after falling brief or capitulating late in a number of matchups this season. Led by a brand new promising quarterback, the Falcons are geared up to shine beneath the brilliant lights.
Floor Sport Takeover
Containing the upcoming offensive rookie of the 12 months and one of many NFL’s ascending quarterbacks is the most important precedence when going through the Commanders. As confirmed final week in opposition to the Eagles, a top-tier protection can solely achieve this a lot in opposition to a extremely environment friendly offensive practice with an electrifying conductor. One of the best ways to restrict Jayden Daniels is by maintaining him off the sphere as a lot as potential. In losses to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Washington didn’t have the ball for greater than 26 minutes in both recreation. A scarcity of possession leaves restricted alternatives for an offense to get right into a rhythm and maximize their recreation plan. That’s one thing the Falcons should do in imposing their offensive recreation plan.
Since they don’t have anyplace near the defensive expertise degree that Philadelphia and Pittsburgh possess, the Falcons should prioritize leaning on their biggest asset. That stems from working the ball relentlessly draining the vitality out of a sluggish protection and maintaining them on the sphere. Washington is permitting the fourth most dashing yards per recreation. They’ve additionally allowed the fifth most 20+ yard runs this season. After an underwhelming run-blocking efficiency in opposition to the Giants, the Falcons must work in unison to dominate on the bottom. The ability place gamers must win their matchups together with the offensive line.
As extraordinary as Bijan Robinson is, he wants extra help to maintain the chains transferring. The blocking consistency boosts Tyler Allgeier’s punishing type, making him much more efficient in opposition to fatigued defenders on the second degree. Operating the ball efficiently with their prolific tandem shall be extra integral than ever on this matchup.
Constraining the Rookie Phenom
Daniels is already proving to be one of many hardest quarterbacks to comprise. His command within the pocket, poise beneath stress, anticipation throws, and deep ball accuracy are distinctive. In contrast to most rookie quarterbacks, he doesn’t get rattled by the blitz. In response to Professional Soccer Focus, Daniels has accomplished 65.6% of his passes with ten touchdowns and two interceptions when blitzed.
As a lot success Jimmy Lake has had dialing up blitzes lately, it might be clever to be extra calculated in scheming up pressures to keep away from a repeat of the debacle in Minnesota the place Sam Darnold threw 5 touchdowns. Operating extra simulated pressures with Kaden Elliss main the cost may very well be simpler in maintaining Daniels within the pocket and limiting his capacity to scramble.
The Falcons have skilled edge defenders in Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter who can keep rush self-discipline and never give clear lanes to Daniels, although they haven’t at all times accomplished so constantly this season. Arnold Ebiketie has improved on changing velocity to energy to his rushes to break down pockets. If they’ll keep balanced with their rush plan or have one edge defender drop into protection on simulated rushes, Daniels gained’t have the ability to escape the pocket as simply to supply chunk performs.
Forcing the second general choose to throw between the numbers is one other wise technique to make him uncomfortable. Six of his eight interceptions have come from throwing in between the numbers, per Professional Soccer Focus. That features three interceptions on passes between 11 and 20 yards.
By maintaining him within the pocket and forcing him to throw towards the center of the sphere greater than standard, Atlanta’s protection can do sufficient to stop him from placing on one other sensational efficiency. That will possible contain one other huge recreation from Jessie Bates, who continues to make performs throughout the sphere and is at all times lurking over the center. It additionally means a concentrated plan to comprise one of many league’s most harmful huge receivers.
Scary Terry Risk
Passer ranking stats will be inflated at occasions. At different occasions, the excessive or low complete matches what’s displayed on the sphere. In response to The Washington Put up’s Nicki Jhabvala, Daniels’ passer ranking is 140.0 when focusing on Terry McLaurin. That shouldn’t shock anybody when watching the Commanders play or seeing them join on a highlight-reel play almost each week.
McLaurin has been absolutely unleashed because the cerebral huge receiver will get the quarterback play he’s been craving for years. It’s allowed his incredible route working, excellent arms, and spectacular contested catch capacity to be correctly utilized in a well-constructed offense led by Kliff Kingsbury.
Morris and Lake have lately allowed A.J. Terrell to shadow opposing number-one huge receivers in man protection alignments. The reliable nook fared impressively effectively in opposition to Justin Jefferson and Malik Nabers in remoted conditions. As logical as it might be to have Terrell shadow McLaurin typically, it’s not straightforward to execute primarily based on the matchup. The Falcons performed extra man protection in opposition to the Vikings and Giants as a result of opposing quarterback’s limitations, although it fully backfired versus the Vikings.
Sam Darnold and Drew Lock can’t make groups pay with their legs by enjoying man protection constantly. Apart from Lamar Jackson, there isn’t a quarterback extra able to tearing defenses aside with their legs than Daniels. Not having a real three-down, sideline-to-sideline linebacker may also be a difficulty in man protection when limiting scrambles.
The teaching employees will possible must play a combination of zone appears to be like to account for Daniels. That makes positioning and communication much more pivotal on the again finish to stop high-percentage appears to be like for him to attach with McLaurin. Most significantly, Justin Simmons and Bates must be organized in not permitting the prolific huge receiver to get behind them or break away on off-schedule performs. McLaurin possesses a terrific really feel for locating area in protection. Limiting his influence will put Washington in precarious conditions given their lack of ability place expertise elsewhere.
Remaining Aggressive No matter Inexperience
Constructing a extra conservative method for a rookie quarterback’s first begin on the street could be fully comprehensible in most circumstances. In a must-win recreation going through probably the most productive offenses within the league, the teaching employees can’t afford to be overly cautious. Working a extra run-heavy recreation plan ought to be prioritized. The aggressiveness comes from a situational standpoint.
After going for it on fourth down constantly within the first two months of the season, they oddly opted for area targets in high-leverage conditions in losses to the Saints and Vikings. Whether or not it was attributed to a scarcity of perception in Kirk Cousins or one other unclear issue, Morris’ selections had been troublesome. He can’t afford to be ultra-conservative, particularly with Riley Patterson taking up kicking duties and already proving removed from dependable already.
What was most spectacular about Michael Penix’s beginning debut final week was his greatest performs occurred on third down. The Athletic’s Mike Sando shared that his high 5 EPA performs had been on third and 6 or extra yards in opposition to the Giants. Whereas the matchup couldn’t have been extra favorable in a comforting setting, it’s encouraging for a rookie quarterback to be decisive and correct on third down. That instills confidence in a younger participant who can constantly produce when really counted on.
Though the plan ought to be to not name greater than 30 passes for him, the teaching employees must be adaptable to the sport move and put Penix in robust positions to succeed. They’ll’t give drives away or try lengthy area targets in a recreation with huge stakes going through a high-powered offense. A gentle dose of assorted play motion ideas and unfold appears to be like may give Penix the platform to information the offense and take invaluable steps in his development. If it ends in having to go for just a few fourth downs and making an attempt almost 40 passes, that’s the way it’s obtained to be for the staff to earn their greatest win of the season.
