The Atlanta Falcons have demonstrated significant improvement in their pass defense during the 2025 NFL season. After six games, the team has recorded 15 sacks, which is the highest number through this point of a season since 2012. Twelve different defenders have contributed at least half a sack each.
While much attention has been on the team’s pass rush, Atlanta’s secondary has also played a crucial role. The Falcons currently rank second in total defense across the league. Entering Week 7, they lead the NFL in pass defense by limiting opponents to an average of 141.2 passing yards per game and are the only team that has not allowed a single quarterback to throw for more than 200 yards against them this year.
Opposing quarterbacks have managed just a 75.1 passer rating when facing Atlanta—second-best in the league behind Houston’s mark of 68.3—and this figure is among Atlanta’s best since at least 1990, according to Stats LLC.
Through six games, opponents have completed only 59% of their passes against Atlanta, which ranks third lowest in the NFL and is also one of their best defensive marks since 2000. The Falcons’ defense has also limited receivers to just 3.7 yards after catch per reception—the lowest rate in the league—and kept teams to an average of only 5.99 yards per pass attempt.
Individually, A.J. Terrell Jr., despite missing two games with injury, has held receivers to just 4.5 yards per target (minimum fifteen targets), ranking him tenth among all defenders this season as reported by Stats LLC. Dee Alford has allowed a passer rating of only 32.4 when targeted, placing him third among players with at least fifteen targets.
Using Microsoft Copilot and data from Stats LLC, it appears Atlanta could finish within the top three teams for completion percentage allowed, passer rating allowed and yards per attempt allowed for a single season—a first for the franchise if achieved. The last team to do so was Cleveland in 2023.
The Falcons will face another test when they play host to the Miami Dolphins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday—a team known for its quick-strike offense and talented playmakers.
