Atlanta Falcons Switching to a 6-Man Offensive Line Could Answer Offensive Woes

The Atlanta Falcons have one of the most inconsistent running games in the NFL. A big reason for that is the lack of chemistry that the current five offensive linemen have after injuries decimated the Falcons' O-line. Going with six offensive linemen on every play could be a way to improve the team.

Inspiration for this idea came from watching the New England Patriots take down the Indianapolis Colts by grinding with a six-man offensive line for almost half of their snaps. While in Indianapolis, the Patriots ran with six offensive linemen for 38 of their 77 plays, or 49.4 percent of the plays. 

32 of their 44 running plays had six offensive linemen on the field, while four run plays were kneel-downs. Another two of them were reverses to Julian Edelman. So on the 38 designed running back runs, the Patriots ran behind six linemen 84.2 percent of the time. 

This is a strategy Atlanta should employ. But they should use a sixth offensive lineman on over 60 percent of the plays. Levine Toilolo has been mediocre as a receiver, while the run offense needs a jump start to make sure it's more consistent. The additional protection would be nice for Matt Ryan to have.

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

How It Affects the Run Game

The additional lineman will only help the offensive line create push for Steven Jackson and the rest of the running backs. The Falcons used it to their advantage on half of their rushes going with six offensive linemen on 14 of their 28 running plays against the Buccaneers. Atlanta had one of its best games on the ground using this strategy to its benefit.

The Falcons tend to get some good run push up front when they have multiple offensive linemen out there. It also helps Toilolo get it going with his run blocking when he can have someone next to him attacking linebackers.

And this shouldn't be just on one side of the ball. Atlanta should align Gabe Carimi as the sixth offensive lineman on both sides of the center. Left or right, he can be effective in both pass and run games. Carimi has shown that he's competent as the sixth offensive lineman and should see more snaps as such. 

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Six OL Give Matt Ryan Much More Protection

Through 10 games, Matt Ryan has been sacked 14 times, hit 27 times and hurried 100 times. That means the Falcons are on pace for 22 sacks allowed, 43 hits allowed and 160 hurries allowed. That's much improved from last season's 40 sacks, 45 hits and 206 hurries allowed on a similar dropbacks total.

However, if Atlanta wants to protect Ryan even more, it could always give Jake Matthews some help on the left side or slide protections left and have Carimi take a role as a de facto right tackle with Justin Blalock and Matthews holding their own to protect Ryan's backside.

Atlanta has definitely been working on allowing less pressure for Ryan and because of it, the team has improved tremendously this year in that aspect, even with injuries. But adding a sixth offensive lineman to the mix would be a good way to help Ryan stay upright.

Chris Keane/Associated Press

Drawback Is Loss of Passing Target

The only real drawback to this entire idea is that the Falcons would lose a target in the passing game. But with how Toilolo hasn't really shown to be effective as an in-line receiver at tight this season, is it really a loss? 

Of Toilolo's 17 catches, 13 came when he lined up in the slot. Of his 31 targets, 22 came when he lined up in the slot. As an in-line receiver, he has just four catches on nine targets for 30 yards. He also has three dropped passes on those nine targets (33.3 percent drop rate), where from the slot his drop rate falls to 13.6 percent.

Atlanta needs to keep Toilolo as part of the offense, and keeping him as an in-line option isn't a bad idea. But at this point, it doesn't make sense to have him out there as the sixth man in that group of linemen. He needs to be opposite or next to a third offensive tackle out there. The offense would just work better that way.

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.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.

Follow @ScottCarasik