NE Atlanta News

The Atlanta Falcons are preparing for their fourth division game of the season, aiming to overcome recent challenges and focus on their upcoming matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite injuries to key Buccaneers players Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Falcons remain committed to securing a victory.

Head coach Raheem Morris has acknowledged issues from the team's recent loss against the Seahawks. "It's really the guys," he said when asked about maintaining energy during games. Morris emphasized player accountability alongside staff efforts in game preparation.

Concerns have been raised regarding strategy decisions in recent games. Jeff S from Atlanta questioned why rookie Michael Penix Jr. was not given more opportunities to pass when he replaced Cousins late in a game. The decision was made with player safety as a priority, avoiding unnecessary risks in a decided match.

Chad P from Baliston Lake, N.Y., queried whether increased zone coverage is impacting defensive pressure. While the Falcons' use of zone defense has increased significantly this year, they rank sixth in zone coverage deployment according to Next Gen Stats. Despite changes in defensive strategy, opposing quarterbacks still have substantial time before releasing passes.

Jeff C from Greensboro, S.C., expressed concerns over the team's defensive resilience following Sunday's performance against Seattle. Though there were lapses, Morris highlighted that players like Judon are often given freedom within schemes to apply pressure independently.

Morris noted improvements despite setbacks: "In Week 7, Atlanta pressured Seattle's quarterbacks on 51.5% of their pass plays." The team continues striving for better results in executing sacks while addressing defensive strategies effectively.