The Falcons, unlike most teams outside of New England, have tasted postseason success in recent memory. They fell just short in the big game back in 2016, then defeated the Rams before narrowly losing to the Super Bowl champion Eagles in the 2017 playoffs.
Last year, they just couldn’t put it all together for a variety of reasons. Here’s four things they need to improve on if they’re going to get back to the postseason in 2019.
1. Stay healthy
Notable 2018 injuries: RB Devonta Freeman (14 games missed), LB Deion Jones (10 games missed), S Keanu Neal (15 games missed), S Ricardo Allen (13 games missed), K Matt Bryant (3 games missed)
Every team has to deal with injuries that may have a large impact on their Super Bowl chances. The problem with Atlanta last season wasn’t just injuries to some of their best players. They lost three key defensive starters — Jones, Neal and Allen — which put their back seven in complete disarray.
The Falcons don’t need some miraculous, injury-free season, they just can’t afford another that’s as freakishly bad as last year if they are going to get back to being an elite team.
2. Get Devonta Freeman back on track
The Falcons let go of Steve Sarkisian after two frustrating seasons as offensive coordinator. While the group showed flashes under Sark, the unit just never achieved the balance or consistency they previously had under Kyle Shanahan.
Freeman rushed for a total of 2,135 yards and 22 touchdowns from 2015-2016 when Shanahan was calling plays. Since then, he’s rushed for only 933 yards and 7 touchdowns over the past two seasons combined. He missed all but two games in 2019, and it’s fair to wonder if he can get back to being the elite rusher he was.
However, if Freeman can stay healthy and recover his 2015-2016 form, he should give Atlanta a huge boost and some stability for Matt Ryan. The Falcons rushed for only 95.2 yards per game last year, but were averaging over 120 yards per game in 2016. If Freeman can get back on track, there’s no excuse for Atlanta to not have one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses in 2019.
3. Takk McKinley, Vic Beasley both need a big year
The Falcons have all the pieces on paper to produce one of the league’s best defenses. The problem has been their inability to get pressure up front. Coach Dan Quinn is a known defensive line guru, but so far this group hasn’t been able to achieve its full potential.
McKinley’s made steady progress in his first two seasons, finishing 2018 with the NFL’s third-highest pressure rate (15.6%) among edge rushers. However, he has yet to produce the sack totals (13 career sacks) this team was hoping for. Double-digit sacks for Takk is very possible and should be expected in year three. Meanwhile, Beasley has been unable to reach his 2016 heights but he’s still a talented player who’s just two years removed from a 15.5 sack season.
If these two are both able to have strong seasons, the Falcons pass rush may finally reach a top-10 level.
4. Improved pass protection
Atlanta was was abysmal up front in pass protection last year, which certainly influenced their decision to aggressively upgrade the offensive line this offseason.
In 2018, the Falcons allowed Matt Ryan to get sacked 42 times — the eighth most of any quarterback in the league. And when he wasn’t getting sacked, Ryan was taking hits far too often. The offensive line allowed 108 quarterback hits, which was the sixth most allowed by any team last year.
Selecting two offensive linemen in the first round — Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom — to go with two pricey free agents — James Carpenter and Jamon Brown — was the Falcons’ way of saying they are going to become a more physical football team at any cost.
There is always a risk when you make so many changes to a single position group in one offseason, however, the team needed to upgrade its talent level up front and certainly did so. The pieces are there. Making it all come together will be one of the biggest challenges Dan Quinn and his coaching staff will face in 2019.
Follow us @TheFalconsWire & @MattUrben on Twitter!
