View: http://www.atlantafalcons.com/straight-from-the-beek/article-1/Questions-about-the-Falcons-defense-the-Rams-offense-jersey-color-for-wild-card-game-more/20990459-f409-4510-8bdd-3a6bcab81b18
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FALCONS DEFENSE, THE RAMS OFFENSE, JERSEY COLOR FOR WILD-CARD GAME, MORE
Matthew Tabeek
Chris from Fresno, CA
Will we wear our home uniform against the Rams? Will the Rams be wearing all-white or all-yellow?
Matt: The Rams will wear their white jerseys for this one. So that means that the Falcons will indeed wear red jerseys.
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Dylan from Canton, GA
I know you do not like looking too far ahead but, I think that the Falcons have a very good shot at making another Super Bowl run. They play a playoff-inexperienced Rams team with a new coach. If we do win this game, we would play the Philadelphia Eagles without Carson Wentz, which would make it an easier game unless Nick Foles goes off.
If you win that game, you go on to the NFC Championship Game and play the Panthers/Saints/Vikings winner, teams the Falcons have played this year and know pretty well, especially the Panthers and Saints. What are your thoughts?
Matt: I can tell you’ve been reading because you’re right, I think it’s fruitless to look beyond any opponent. So much can happen (and change) in the NFL on any given week. Yes, I think the experience of having made a postseason run last season and understanding the finality of it all should serve these Falcons well, especially in their preparation and overall mindset this week.
But, in the end, these games come down to the players – talent, execution and avoiding mistakes will determine which team advances to play another week. The Falcons have one opponent right now: the Rams. The rest is a bunch of “what if” scenarios that won’t mean a darn thing without a win on Saturday.
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First off, WERE IN THE BIG DANCE! I’ve been rooting for these Falcons all year through the good and bad and we finished our season strong. The defense seems to be rolling, which is a great thing heading into the playoffs. We all know our offense is a sleeping giant that can awaken at any moment. My question is, what problems do you believe the Rams defense will present to Atlanta’s offense? Also, I enjoy this column you have! Keep up the good work!
Matt: You’re right about the Falcons defense – that group has played really well this season. This team is much more balanced now – it’s not all offense, all the time in high-scoring games. That’s not this team’s identity anymore. As far as the Rams go, they’ve got one of the best (if not the best) defensive tackles in the NFL in Aaron Donald. He’s a special talent who can wreak a lot of havoc inside, blowing up run plays and bringing pressure up the middle to disrupt the timing in the passing game. The Falcons must have a plan for him.
On the other side of the ball, Todd Gurley makes them go on offense. The third-year running back out of Georgia is having a fantastic year that’s put him in the discussion for the NFL Most Valuable Player award. Gurley led the NFC in combined rushing and receiving yards during the regular season, finishing with 2,093 total yards from scrimmage and a league-leading 19 touchdowns, despite missing the Rams’ regular-season finale.
Gurley gained over 100 total yards in 12 of the 15 games he played this season, and he gained more than 100 yards as both a runner and a receiver in the Rams’ Week 16 victory over the Titans, becoming just the third player in NFL history to accomplish such a feat. For more on the matchup,
check out our piece on how the Falcons stack up against the Rams.
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What are the biggest factors to such a dramatic turnaround for the Rams this year and what can the Falcons take advantage of? Outside of Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley (maybe Sammy Watkins), it doesn’t seem like a team that really strikes fear into you, but obviously they do a lot of things well!
Matt: Every week we put out a piece on how to watch the Falcons games online or on TV, and it’s helpful especially if you’re in a different media market.
Here is this week’s post on the Falcons-Rams game. Well, when you mention Donald, Gurley and Watkins – that’s quite a handful right there. And no one should take this team lightly.
It’s been quite a turnaround this year in L.A. – and the biggest reason for it is head coach Sean McVay and his staff, including defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Think, too, for a minute about where this team was when he took over: the Rams finished last in the NFL in yards after each of the previous two seasons and outside the top 20 in offensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) after each of the previous 10 seasons.
As
this piece from Alden Gonzalez points out, McVay overhauled the offense, which helped Gurley and Jared Goff blossom. How? The Rams got better at receiver, adding Watkins, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Gerald Everett. Don’t forget they still have Tavon Austin, too. And they upgraded the left tackle position big time by adding Andrew Whitworth in free agency.
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I saw that
Taylor Gabriel got hurt against the Panthers. How bad is it and will he play against the Rams?
Matt: Gabriel injured his hamstring during the game. He was listed on the Falcons injury report Tuesday and was limited in practice. We should know more about his status for the Rams game later in the week.
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I think we have a real chance at limiting Todd Gurley, after only allowing Alvin Kamara to 2.7 yards per run and Christian McCaffrey to 2.3 in our latest two meetings. If we get Jared Goff throwing more, is that the best way to win?
Matt: Your stats are correct, but just because the Falcons held Kamara and McCaffrey to less than 3 yards per run doesn’t mean the same will be true against Gurley, who is averaging almost 5 yards per run (4.7). In the four games that the Rams lost this season with Gurley playing (he sat out the finale), teams held him to less than 100 yards rushing.
While there is no magic or guaranteed formula, yes, limiting Gurley and making the Rams more one-dimensional would likely bode well for the Falcons. They won’t be an easy out, though. If you recall the Eagles-Rams game back on Dec. 10, Philly escaped with a 43-35 win – and that was with Carson Wentz (who suffered a season-ending injury later in that game).
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Not only were the Falcons 5-3 at home and away, they were a dropped pass in Charlotte from 6-2, three miscues in New England, and three miscues in New Orleans from 8-0. I wish we were smoother, but winning ugly is a win.
Although on the road, if we take it one game at a time and perform better in short yardage, I like our chances in L.A., then Philly, then, most likely, New Orleans. Speaking of short yardage, do you think they now realize we lost an all-pro fullback? It looks like an area from improvement for next year. Go Falcons.
Matt: Winning in the NFL is never easy, especially on the road. And I could care less in what it looks like – they all count the same, pretty or not. And I definitely agree with the “take one game at a time” approach, JC.
Yes, the Falcons have been inconsistent at times in short-yardage situations during the season, but you can only worry about and coach up the players on this roster – not the ones who are no longer here (and I’m assuming you mean the departure of fullback Patrick DiMarco, who’s now in Buffalo). Winning in the trenches and getting that push up front will be key against the Rams.
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Huge question regarding
Adrian Clayborn. Seemed like he got emotional on the bench after his leg injury and that usually is a sign that your season is over. Please say it isn't so ... Big AC missed last year’s playoffs as well and we need him big time, as he's having his best season. Beek, tell me he's playing against the Rams or I'll be crying as well.
Matt: Clayborn was officially listed as limited on Tuesday’s injury report with a calf injury. As with any injury, we should know about more his status for the Rams game as the week progresses and we receive more updates.
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I know there are fans out there that have been down on
Matt Ryan and Steve Sarkisian, but I read something that surprised me. Everybody is saying Ryan is having a bad year, but Sark has generally put them in position to make plays.
Here’s something – the Falcons led the league in drops this season with 28. Only 11 last season. Just something I thought I’d throw out there. You probably knew this but maybe not all the masses. It’s not on Matt or Sark. I’m not sure how many of these turned into interceptions but these are plays the receivers generally made last year. Anyway, we are in and the defense has totally stepped up this year.
Matt: You are correct about the drops and deflected passes. They were much more of an issue, earlier in the season. And yes, some of them did result in turnovers (see the Lions game as an example).
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I really and truly believe that we will win, taking it one game at a time and win these next four games focusing on the opponent in front of us first. My question is, don’t you think, as I do, that offensively as long as the Falcons start out mixing running the football and passing to
Devonta Freeman and
Tevin Coleman that we cannot be stopped?
You see when they throw to our two highly skilled all-purpose backs, it attacks the opposing defense then BAM!! Jones for 27, Sanu for 18, Hooper for 12, then back to Freeman running, then Coleman for a 14-yard reception, then Freeman for a 17-yard reception. Do you see where I’m going with this?
An offensive rhythm as long as we keep throwing to our backs, no defense can stop us. Freeman and Coleman are the key to our passing game being super successful and they open things up for
Julio Jones,
Mohamed Sanu, etc. Also, is there any updated status on Taylor Gabriel and Adrian Clayborn? We need them both they are vital to our success.
Matt: Yes, the Falcons are much more effective moving the ball and sustaining drives if they are balanced with both the run and pass. An effective running game also opens up the Falcons passing game, especially the play-action – and those explosive plays downfield. Unstoppable might be a little strong, though. As with any game, if the Falcons are efficient on third down and in the red zone, good things should follow. On the flip side, the Falcons defense will need to come up big in those same areas.
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I am perplexed that we are one of the most penalized teams in the league. We are constantly getting big plays called back by a stupid penalty, like blocking someone in the back. It seems to me like this is a coaching/discipline problem, since these guys are professional athletes. I really like Quinn as a coach but is he too lenient with the guys on this? What is your opinion on this?
Matt: I’m going to disagree with you on this one. Unless I’m reading
the statistics wrong, the Falcons are not among the most penalized teams in the league – on offense or defense. But I will say this much, they have had some untimely and costly penalties at different times this season. Some of have cost the Falcons turnovers, first downs and scores – which, in close games, can mean the difference sometimes between winning and losing.
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My question to you is Hooper seems like a force, when used but we rarely use him to catch passes. Opening up the middle with him in route will loosen the linebackers and help free and Coleman break runs. Any reason we are not using Hooper as much, throwing to him more. He is solid. I think he can be a significant difference-maker.
Hooper has been targeted 65 times this season and he’s caught 49 passes for 526 yards and three touchdowns. That’s up considerably compared to last season when he hauled in 19 catches for 271 yards and three scores. That’s decent growth for the second-year tight end out of Stanford.
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https://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/4060310-key-to-the-game-battle-of-field-position/
Key to the game: Battle of field position
Falcons offense has to work hard while Rams offense is smart with short field position thanks to their defense and ST.
TD DRIVES by the Offenses.
Falcons : TD: 34 (only 2 with short field position)
Rams: TD: 46 (17 with short field position) More than 1/3rd of the Rams TD were from short field position, moving the ball only 27 yards on average/TD.
Average Yards/TD: TOP/TD : Plays/TD:
Falcons : 73.6 (32) : 4:02 Min/TD drive (29) : 8.3 (30)
Rams : 56(2) : 2:43 min (1) : 5.6 plays (1)
The key to stopping Rams is to not give a short field position, the Rams lead the NFL with
89% scoring (TD & FG) when starting in opponents territory.
Rams are opposite of Falcons, they are second in NFL with least yards needed to score TD. Rams are number 1 in least time and least number of plays needed to score TD
Total Drives on Offense: Scoring % : Punt %: Turn over %
Rams: 189 (13) : 45%(2): 34%(4) : 9.5%(11)
Falcons:165 (32): 41.2%(6) :32%(1):10.2%(12)
Falcons punt less than Rams but Rams have better scoring % /drives because of the short field position. Falcons have one of the best scoring % for long TD.
Falcons have least amount offensive drives in the NFL because of the field position and lack of turnovers and defense not getting off the field.
The Falcons are not much worse than Rams in Turnover % even after all those bizarre butt interceptions and Freeman fumbles.
Drives starting inside the own 20:
Falcons: 53/165 ( Almost 1/3rd of the Falcons drive start inside their own 20). Falcons scored 11 TD (3rd best in NFL) starting deep inside their side of the field.
Rams: 47/189 Drives. Rams scored only 6 TD from deep inside their field.
TD%:Scoring %: Punt%: Turnover % (inside own 20)
Falcons TD% : 20.8%(6) Scoring% : 35.8%(3) Punt % : 39.6%(1) Turnover % : 11.3% (16)
Rams TD% : 12.8%(19) Scoring% : 29.8%(10) Punt % : 40.4%(2) Turnover % : 17% (27)
TLDR;
Rams offense thrives on short field position, they have the best starting field position in NFL. Rams just need 56 yards, 2:43 min and 5.6 plays on an average to score a TD. Falcons are the opposite of Rams, Falcons need 73 yards, 4:02 min and 8.3 plays to score a TD.
Rams offense is worse than Falcons when starting inside their own 20. Rams are 19th in NFL in TD% and 27th in NFL In turnover % when starting inside the 20.
Falcons have least punt% in NFL When starting inside their 20.
This is the game the ST and defense needs to step up to pin the Rams deep inside their own territory and give offense better starting position. Falcons are used to playing deep inside their own field, Rams not so much.
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It's become usual to see the Falcons starting inside their own 20. Whether it be a holding call on a punt/KO return or our defense allowing the opposing offense to gain yards early, even though the Falcons D stops them they still punt from their own 40 yd line many, many times.
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At this point, id rather we just fair catch most and go for punt blocks....harder to get penalized.
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Win field position and win the game. Simple enough.. Right?
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So why do they have so much luck in field position? Special teams, turn overs?
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Defensive turnovers and ST.
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It’s not the kicker but Punt/Kick off return coverage. Also defense can’t let Rams punt from mid field and Pin the Falcons offense inside 10-20 yard line. And those stupid ST penalties can change the game. All three Falcons units should compliment each other.
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Lose field position to Rams, falcons chances of losing are high. May be slowing down the pace and grinding out isn’t a bad idea.
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If it comes down to ST we are not winning folks. I just hope we don't have any major gaffes.
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Defense can't allow long drives that pin the offense deep and they need to get turnovers. Period. They aren't terrible on a per drive basis, they just don't get enough. Give the offense more possessions by getting three and outs and turnovers.
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It will come down to our WRs vs the Rams mediocre secondary.
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mediocre ??? like our recievers have been?? still dropping balls left and right lol
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I think if we just start kneeling every kickoff, fair-catch Franks every punt, and kick every kick-off and punt out of the end zone we would be much better off than we have been. I know Quinn likes to be aggressive in all three phases, but for the playoffs I would like to see us play conservative just in this one phase.
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https://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/4060317-rams-kicking-situation-something-to-consider/
Rams kicking situation something to consider
One of the smaller factors that could become very important on Saturday night is the place-kicking situation for LA. Sam Ficken took over just two weeks ago when Greg Zuerlein was placed on IR. Ficken missed his first PAT and first FG. While I don't think you can EXPECT the kid to just miss easy kicks, I DO think that the mental approach as the Rams approach the scoring area changes when they have less confidence in their kicker.
I think we will see the Rams gamble on fourth down more often, and that is something the Falcons have to be prepared for, not only on fourth down, but also on the third down snap. If it is 3rd and 5 at the 30, a draw to Gurley or toss might be in order if the Rams are expecting to go for it anyways.
Whether this turns out to be any sort of an advantage is largely based on how other aspects of the game go, but it could become a factor in a close game.
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I too believe it will be a close game, but I'd love to see a Falcon slaughter to shut some folks up and to make other teams a bit more nervous.
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Inexperienced coach, inexperienced kicker, inexperienced QB -- all in a playoff scenario. With great weather.
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https://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/4060304-wild-card-weekend-refs/
Wild Card Weekend Refs
Looks like we got Hochuli
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Honestly, the one guy who's scruples I do not question.
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Hochuli - 13.69 penalties/game-both teams (league average 13.36), Home Team 53.42% of penalties (5.64% above league average), Home Team Winning % 56.3% (only 0.01% from league average)
The stats do suggest a rather unbiased and non-flag-happy game? The home teams have gotten more flags than normal but does not reflect in home team winning %.
He called the game against Dallas this year we won, which had 5 penalties on us and 5 penalties on Dallas.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/officials/HochEd0r.htm
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He actually has good rapport with Ryan so I think we got the best turd of the bunch.
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Hochuli is good for at least one " Well we have reviewed that penalty and we will reverse the call on the Field" penalties. Hopefully for us.
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View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWElFC1zHjs
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Ole Ed is gonna get his camera time, you can BANK on that
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Hoc dont make many mistakes, and the NFL selects the Best Ref's (fewest mistakes) for the Super Bowl, and Eddie just loves to show off his Guns in front of the largest audience.