The Atlanta Falcons are set to face the New England Patriots in Week 9 with a strong overall defense, but their run defense remains an area of concern. The team currently leads the NFL in pass defense, allowing only 149.1 yards per game, and ranks second in total defense with 275.6 yards allowed per game. However, they stand at 22nd in stopping the run, giving up an average of 126.4 rushing yards per game.
“We’ve got to play the run better, and I think everybody knows that,” said Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. “I know I made that comment last week as well.”
In their most recent games, the Falcons have struggled against opposing running backs. During their loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 8, Miami ran for 141 yards, with De’Von Achane leading with 67 rushing yards. The previous week against San Francisco saw Christian McCaffrey tallying 129 of his team’s 174 rushing yards.
“I’ll say this, we did play the traditional runs and the traditional run of windows better than we had in San Francisco,” Ulbrich said. “So, we fixed some of the problems regarding the big-boy runs, the gap schemes, the two-back stuff. Really, where we were hurt the most in the run game was the non-traditional run windows and the non-traditional runs. I’ve got to do a better job of maybe playing a little bit safer in those windows, a little bit more run-sound defense as opposed to trying to steal a third-down rep, because that’s the way we’re being attacked right now.”
The Falcons are ranked 15th when it comes to preventing third-down conversions; opponents have succeeded on just under 40% of attempts.
A major factor affecting Atlanta’s performance has been injuries among key defenders. Inside linebacker Divine Deablo left early during Week 7 with a fractured forearm and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. The Dolphins matchup marked Atlanta’s first full game without him on field.
JD Bertrand stepped into Deablo’s starting role alongside Kaden Elliss for both games since Deablo’s injury while Ronnie Harrison also saw increased action against Miami. Head coach Raheem Morris noted that their plan for a by-committee approach at linebacker “didn’t come to life like he wanted,” but Ulbrich suggested they will try this strategy again versus New England.
“Divine is a hard guy to replace, just because his skill set is so unique,” Ulbrich said. “His athleticism is so unique, and the way we used him was so unique.”
Additional injuries further impacted Atlanta’s defensive front: Zach Harrison (defensive lineman), Jalon Walker (edge setter), and Billy Bowman Jr. (nickel) all missed time but are expected contributors when healthy.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against New England’s No.18-ranked rushing offense—which averages about 112 yards per game—the Falcons will be challenged by Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson along with quarterback Drake Maye who adds mobility from behind center.
“We’re going to have to play our most physical game,” Ulbrich said.”The most physical team will win this battle especially up front.”
