For what feels like the 10th year in a row, the Atlanta Falcons have had trouble bringing down opposing quarterbacks. The team has just six sacks in seven games, which ranks dead last in the NFL.
The Falcons are the only team averaging less than a sack per game this season. While the pressure rate has improved in recent weeks, the defense continues to have trouble finishing plays. Head coach Raheem Morris said the team is working to get better in this area.
“You gotta finish the plays off, right?” asked Morris. “You wanna have more, and we’ve got to play individually better, but we are rushing as a group better. Like the hurries, the pressures, the things of that nature, they’re going up. They’re on the uptick, but the only way you can end that question is if you go finish off sacks.”
Atlanta’s 50 percent pressure rate in Week 7 did produce one sack by defensive lineman James Smith-Williams, but there were too many instances of the quarterback escaping the pocket and making a play.
Next up for the Falcons is a Week 8 road matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is having a career year, so getting him down on Sunday will be crucial for Atlanta.
“We’ve gotta get the quarterback on the ground,” Morris concluded.
