The Falcons desperately need a win this weekend to keep their season from going off the rails. They host the Titans on Sunday, another 1-2 team that entered the year with playoff expectations.
Here are four storylines to follow in this Week 4 matchup between Atlanta and Tennessee.
Falcons passing attack vs. Titans No. 4 ranked pass defense
Atlanta’s offensive numbers are a bit misleading as the team has gotten down early and needed to abandon the run game. Still, wide receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley have combined for 440 yards and six touchdowns in just three games. Tennessee is a defensive-minded football team with a top-notch secondary that’s ranked No. 8 in points allowed per game (17.4) and No. 4 against the pass (189.7 passing yards per game). The Falcons are averaging 369.7 yards per game through the air, so this is a classic strength vs. strength matchup.
Can/Will Atlanta run the ball?
Atlanta’s ground game has been well below average in 2019. The team has averaged just 74.3 rushing yards per game, even with running back Devonta Freeman seemingly healthy again finally. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter wants to run the ball, but he hasn’t been able to find the right balance yet. Freeman showed signs of life in Week 3, rushing for 88 yards on 16 attempts (5.5 yards per carry). Meanwhile, the Titans’ run defense is ranked No. 21 in the league, allowing 119 yards per game. This is the Falcons’ chance to prove they can advance the ball on the ground.
How will Falcons secondary hold up without Keanu Neal?
Atlanta’s secondary played well through the first two weeks of the season before a nightmare first half against a red-hot Jacoby Brissett in Week 3. To make matters worse, Keanu Neal tore his Achilles and is out for the year. The Falcons worked out two safeties but Dan Quinn wants to give Jamal Carter a shot before signing someone out of desperation. Neal’s loss is huge and we saw just how much his absence hurt Atlanta’s defense last season. Second-year outside cornerback Isaiah Oliver in particular has to play tighter coverage.
Will QB Matt Ryan stop turning the ball over?
As we pointed out yesterday, Matt Ryan’s bad pass percentage is the third-lowest in the league despite throwing six interceptions in three games. Similar to what happened during the 2017 season, Ryan has gotten some unlucky breaks with interceptions. Even with all of those picks, the former MVP is completing over 72 percent of his passes and has thrown for eight touchdowns. If he cuts down on the turnovers, the Falcons will have a better chance of getting to 2-2 on the season.
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