The Atlanta Falcons are facing several challenges as they look to improve their performance on both sides of the ball, with particular focus on the linebacker position, short-yardage situations, and red zone efficiency.
Linebacker Divine Deablo is expected to be out for an extended period after fracturing his forearm. Head coach Raheem Morris described Deablo as “week-to-week” and did not specify a timeline for his return. With Troy Andersen also unavailable, the team will need to rely on other players such as JD Bertrand, Josh Woods, DeAngelo Malone, and DeMarcco Hellams to fill the gap.
Woods has been highlighted by defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich for his effort and physicality. Malone has experience at both inside and outside linebacker and recently made a key interception against the Bills. Hellams could be used in three-safety sets to help cover tight ends over the middle if needed.
Addressing questions about play-calling in short-yardage situations, Morris explained the decision-making process during a crucial fourth-and-1 play against San Francisco: “We were ready to go with our best play, going to Drake on a play that we felt really good about,” Morris said. “Some things that we’ve done before in the past and didn’t get that off and do those things. But obviously, it was the aggressive mindset. Right there, you kick the field goal. You’re still leaving a bunch of time to go down and kick a field goal to win the game, holding a ball like Kyle (Shanahan) wants to do. In order to win those type of games, as you know, I’m sure all your analytics say right there, 100% go for it. We were right on the mindset of going for it right there from pretty far out. Analytics, at that point, will tell you to go for it on the fourth-and-1 no matter where you are in the field. We don’t want to be reckless with it, but we do want to be aggressive. So, we took the aggressive mindset and went out there and tried to get it to one of our best players and best moments in some of the routes that he’s caught before in his past.”
The Falcons’ struggles running the ball contributed to fewer short-yardage opportunities against San Francisco compared with previous games. Of their 12 third-down plays against San Francisco, nine required more than three yards for a first down.
In terms of offensive predictability and finishing drives in scoring position, pressure on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. played a significant role during their recent loss to San Francisco. The Falcons only entered San Francisco’s 30-yard line three times; two drives ended without touchdowns due largely to sacks or penalties under pressure situations.
Next Gen Stats showed Penix failed to complete any of his nine passes when pressured by San Francisco defenders—marking one of the highest numbers of pressured attempts without completion since 2023 (Sam Howell had 11). Penix faced pressure on more than one-quarter of his dropbacks (26.2%). While not all issues stem from quarterback play alone, these statistics indicate how defensive pressure disrupted Atlanta’s ability to finish promising drives.
The Falcons will continue exploring adjustments across multiple positions as they work through injuries and seek improved execution heading into upcoming games.
