More than a few things have to go right if the Falcons are going to recover from a sobering 1-3 start to the 2019 season.
We went through the team’s remaining 12 games earlier this week to see just how probable a playoff push is for Atlanta. Today, we’ll take look at seven players that must play well for the Falcons to salvage their season.
QB Matt Ryan
Ryan is the most obvious choice for this list, so let’s get him out of the way first. The former MVP hasn’t played up to his potential, but there’s a lot going on around him that’s affecting his play. The Falcons have no legitimate rushing attack, their play-calling has been off and they’re struggling and injured up front. Still, Ryan has shown the ability to carry this team in the past. He can help by cutting down on his interceptions. He’s tied for the most in the NFL going into Week 5 with six.
DE Takk McKinley
McKinley has not played poorly, his pass rush win rate is actually good for sixth among edge rushers. The problem has been his lack of sacks (0.5 sacks in four games). Pressure can do a lot, but when the defense is struggling, sometimes it just takes someone to make a play to change the game’s momentum. McKinley is easily talented enough to average double-digit sacks and he will have a great shot to get a couple against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in Week 5.
RB Devonta Freeman
Freeman is averaging a pedestrian 3.3 yards per carry, but the Falcons have abandoned the run in three of four games. A patchwork offensive line hasn’t opened a ton of holes for the veteran tailback, but he needs to prove he can still be a difference-maker. Otherwise, the team may give more carries to second-year running back Ito Smith, who’s averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter just has to figure out how to get Freeman more involved. Perhaps Koetter can call Freeman’s number on plays that aren’t obvious running downs.
CB Isaiah Oliver
The second-year corner has been asked to do a lot for the Falcons after the team cut Robert Alford in the offseason. Oliver has shown some promise, though, especially in the team’s Week 2 win over the Eagles. However, opposing teams are targeting him and he’s had a hard time adjusting over the past two weeks. Desmond Trufant has been really good in 2019 — which is making Oliver’s job that much harder. He’ll need to be more consistent if the Falcons are going to get out of the NFC South basement.
S Kemal Ishmael
With Pro Bowl safety Keanu Neal injured, the Falcons secondary will be shorthanded for yet another season. While the team has a few options to platoon at strong safety in Neal’s absence, Kemal Ishmael has gotten the majority of the snaps. Last week, he finished with nine tackles in Atlanta’s loss to the Titans. Ishmael, along with Oliver would benefit greatly from the team’s defensive line getting more quarterback hits and sacks.
LG James Carpenter
Carpenter wasn’t brought in to the be anchor of Atlanta’s offensive line but after injuries to Jamon Brown, Chris Lindstrom, and Alex Mack, he has a much lower margin for error going forward. So while both he and Jake Matthews weren’t supposed to be the strength of the team’s offensive line, they’ll pretty much have to be with so many injuries up front. Rookie right tackle Kaleb McGary is doing his best but has dealt with injuries and health issues going back to training camp. Carpenter was paid big money in the offseason and now he has a chance to earn it.
DE Vic Beasley
Beasley hasn’t gotten pressure as consistently as McKinley, but he’s been inches away to what feels like at least four or five sacks. He and the rest of the Falcons defensive front need to finish their rushes otherwise quarterbacks won’t fear them. With Grady Jarrett’s ability to push the pocket as good as anyone in the league, Beasley needs to capitalize on his chances the way he did in 2016. The Falcons need Beasley to do what he’s shown he’s capable of in the past by racking up some sacks and helping this defense get some of its swagger back.
