Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers: Full Report-Card Grades for Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons lead the division despite playing a game that was mediocre at best. Atlanta beat the Carolina Panthers with a defensive effort in a week when their offense just couldn't get it going. If the Falcons want to go on a longer streak, they need to start converting third downs and red-zone attempts.
Atlanta was lucky that they allowed just three scores all day, though. Cam Newton had a lot of errant throws that allowed Atlanta to stop drives. If the Falcons want to really go on a run, they need to start rushing the passer better than they have all season.
Quarterbacks
1 of 10
Matt Ryan might have good stat lines the past three weeks, but his actual games have not been very good. Ryan has too many errant throws on third downs and needs to get better at trusting his receivers despite being covered.
Ryan's mobility has been useful, but he's turned into a quarterback that holds on to the ball too long. It's nice to see him finally have some protection, though. If Ryan starts to throw the ball away instead of eating coverage sacks, the Falcons would be better off in that aspect, too.
Ryan did salvage the game late with some excellent, on-target throws. But there was no reason for it to get to that point. Ryan should also try to wrestle the play-calling duties away from Dirk Koetter, because the Falcons look so much better in the no-huddle than in the standard offense.
Grade: C
Running Backs and Fullbacks
2 of 10
Steven Jackson did an excellent job running the ball in third-down situations. He also was able to block effectively on passing downs and even provided some solid short outlets for Matt Ryan. The only real issue is that he got stuffed behind the line too often.
Antone Smith got injured before he could get more than just one touch on the game. Devonta Freeman looked like a legitimately good running back with his six carries on the day. And Jacquizz Rodgers was solid as a receiver and blocker in the backfield.
Patrick DiMarco had a good game both blocking and receiving. Both of his catches were on third downs for conversions. He also had some good seal blocks on crucial runs that helped Jackson gain first downs on short third down runs through the game.
Grade: C
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
3 of 10
Roddy White had a good day. Despite his drop on a deep pass that would have extended a crucial drive, the throw was a tough one for any receiver to come down with. Roddy finally got his 10,000th yard and 60th touchdown during the game on a drag route for three yards.
Julio Jones had a solid day, catching six passes for 59 yards through primarily double coverages all game. The one thing that is aggravating to watch with the Falcons offense is the lack of shots deep to Jones. Atlanta had the time for Ryan to throw them multiple times, too.
Devin Hester, Levine Toilolo and Harry Douglas each had some crucial catches through the game that allowed Atlanta to finally sustain some drives. But too many drops and poor screen calls really hurt what the wide receivers could do again this week.
Grade: C
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Offensive Linemen
4 of 10
Matt Ryan was hit just five times throughout the day, including two sacks. And one of the sacks was due to Ryan holding on to the ball for five seconds and not finding an open man. Three of the other hits were similar situations.
The only real play on which the Falcons did a poor job in pass protection was the one play where Charles Johnson beat Ryan Schraeder in a one-on-one on the right side. As run-blockers, the line didn't do a much better job opening holes for the running backs.
Taking out Matt Ryan's four-yard scramble, the Falcons averaged just 3.15 yards per carry on the day. That's pathetic. Atlanta needs to really start establishing the run better. Running with more six-man offensive lines could have helped against the Panthers.
Grade: C
Defensive Linemen and Edge Players
5 of 10
Atlanta's defensive line was aggravating to watch. They allowed 3.8 yards on designed running back runs, but they were unable to really stop Cam Newton behind the line. Tyson Jackson did get a sack, but it was called back due to a roughing-the-passer penalty that was ticky-tack.
Atlanta used too many defensive tackles and 3-4 defensive ends on the field during obvious passing plays too often. Unfortunately, the Falcons and their containing Cam Newton strategy wasn't enough to really disrupt the Panthers passing offense.
Atlanta's complete lack of pressure against a terrible Panthers offensive line was a total joke. There was no reason for a lack of Osi Umenyiora snaps and a plethora of Kroy Biermann snaps. Atlanta needs to start benching Biermann, because he's at a point where he's just not effective anymore.
Grade: D
Linebackers
6 of 10
Paul Worrilow was pretty much the only linebacker out there all day. And while Worrilow looked good against the run and had a sack, the Falcons didn't get a lot out of him in coverage. Worrilow has been improving the past two weeks and definitely needs to keep on his upswing.
After Worrilow getting named captain, Atlanta has been seeing better production out of the middle linebacker and the defense as a whole. However, they need to pair someone back there with him other than Joplo Bartu or Prince Shembo.
Shembo hasn't been healthy since being named starter, but he's finally looking better. However, long term, he's probably not the starter at linebacker. Joplo Bartu is in a similar setup. They essentially split time this week, but neither one is looking like they should be starters long term.
Grade: C
Secondary
7 of 10
Atlanta allowed too many long plays to the Panthers passing offense. The only thing really puffing this grade up are the four passes defended and two interceptions. Desmond Trufant had one of his best games during the season and still allowed a 22-yard touchdown despite great coverage on the play.
Kemal Ishmael had a knock-away on a third down and an interception on a third down to really give the Falcons some momentum early on defense. Dezmen Southward had a coverage sack, but as a whole the defense allowed way too many first downs through the air.
There was no excuse for 15 first downs to come through the air with the way the coverage was being called. Atlanta did lose Robert Alford early in the game to a wrist injury that hopefully won't keep him out for too long.
Grade: C
Special Teams
8 of 10
Atlanta did a great job in the kicking game Sunday. Matt Bryant was absolutely perfect on his field-goal kicks and knocked through the one extra point that he had. If he wants to come back in 2015, there's no reason for the Falcons to say no to him.
As far as Matt Bosher is concerned, he kept the Falcons field position positive with his 49.1-yards-per-kick average. He also did well on kickoffs outside of one play when he kicked it too short and the Falcons let the Panthers get back to their own 36.
Even Ra'Shede Hageman got in on the act with a blocked kick. The only issue the Falcons had on special teams was allowing the Panthers to be around their own 26 to start every drive. Atlanta started near their own 27 every drive and did a good job because of it.
Grade: B
Coaching
9 of 10
Mike Smith stayed his execution for one week. It's tough to fire a guy who's leading your team to a division title at the moment. But the Falcons still have a lot of problems and a long way to go. Thankfully, the team knows that they have to keep working and getting a little bit of luck.
Dirk Koetter needs to change something with his third-down play-calling. They decide not to run on multiple short third-down situations. Then they call wide receiver screens too often. However, the biggest issues showed up on the six drives that Atlanta went three-and-out on. His play-calling is terrible compared to when they let Matt Ryan call the plays at the line.
On defense, the concept of calling plays with three defensive tackles and one run-stuffing defensive end out there in a four-man pass-rushing line is just stupid. Atlanta doesn't understand that if they can't create pass rush on third downs, they are going to be utterly screwed when it comes to facing competent teams. Carolina's line had no business holding Atlanta to just two quarterback hits.
Grade: D
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Group | Grade |
| Quarterbacks | C |
| Running Backs and Fullbacks | C |
| Wide Receivers and Tight Ends | C |
| Offensive Linemen | C |
| Defensive Linemen and Edge Players | D |
| Linebackers | C |
| Secondary | C |
| Special Teams | B |
| Coaching | D |
| Overall | C |
The Falcons put forth an effort that looked like my grades in high school. In essence, they were just going through the motions because nothing is motivating them. Something needs to change now that the Falcons are in the divisional lead.
Mike Smith wants to keep his job. Thomas Dimitroff wants them both to keep their jobs. The only way something changes is if Smith finally makes better decisions in personnel usage, because lucky wins against the awful NFC South aren't enough to keep it for them.
Atlanta has a chance this coming week to right the wrong if they can finally put forth a good effort against a solid team like Cleveland. Atlanta needs to tweak their schemes and personnel usage to have a shot at winning next week.
All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.
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