The past 2 years our offense has not been the problem

[ATLbound]

Last year there were only three games our offense didn't score above 10 points. We were 1-2 in those games.

One of those games we didn't have Turner, Ryan, HD (Eagles)

The other game that we won we didn't have Turner and a "turf toe'd" Ryan (Jets)

and then there was the Patriots

All the other games we scored 19 points or more.

On a good and balanced team, if the offense scores 3 TD's (21 pts.) then this should be enough for the team to win.

Out of the 22 teams (including us) whose defense gave up 20 points per game or above only 3 of them made the playoffs: Saints, Cardinals, and Chargers

Based on this there is a higher percentage of getting to the playoffs by making sure our defense is up to par moreso than by beefing up our offense.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying our offense doesn't need to be more efficient, but at this point we don't need better players on offense to get by. We actually need better players on defense. I'm hoping this is the year we can get that production from our defense.

[ATLbound]

Bump for some discussion

[Sidious]

Last year there were only three games our offense didn't score above 10 points. We were 1-2 in those games.

One of those games we didn't have Turner, Ryan, HD (Eagles)

The other game that we won we didn't have Turner and a "turf toe'd" Ryan (Jets)

and then there was the Patriots

All the other games we scored 19 points or more.

On a good and balanced team, if the offense scores 3 TD's (21 pts.) then this should be enough for the team to win.

Out of the 22 teams (including us) whose defense gave up 20 points per game or above only 3 of them made the playoffs: Saints, Cardinals, and Chargers

Based on this there is a higher percentage of getting to the playoffs by making sure our defense is up to par moreso than by beefing up our offense.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying our offense doesn't need to be more efficient, but at this point we don't need better players on offense to get by. We actually need better players on defense. I'm hoping this is the year we can get that production from our defense.

They drafted mostly defensive players & signed the best available FA CB. The magic number for points allowed was 20 (to keep your team in the game)So the offense needs to average at least 21. Atlanta just needed more consistency on offense.

Edited September 7, 2010 by Sidious

[FalconFanSince1970]

Bump for some discussion

I would say all three phases were a problem last year. The year before the defense was the problem.

With that said, in both 08 and 09 our offense showed a tendency to get shut down against good defenses. Especially good 3-4 defenses like the one we see Sunday. I watched some of their preseason games and they looked scary.

[Tandy]

They drafted mostly defensive players & signed the best available FA CB. The magic number for points allowed was 20 (to keep your team in the game)So the offense needs to average at least 21. Atlanta just needed more consistency on offense.

The offense scored an average of 22.7 points per game last year with all the injuries and terrible schedule. In 2008, the offense scored an average of 24.4 points per game. Both years were above 21 points per game.

Since we are facing them this week - I'll use Pittsburgh as an example. In 2008, they averaged 21.7 points per game on offense. That's less than we averaged even last year, during the mayhem. Yet, they won the Superbowl. What was the difference? Their defense gave up 13.9 points per game.

[Mojo Risin]

It is rather simple when you consider a better defense means less scoring for the opposition, better field position, more time of possession, more scoring and of course, more winning.

But hey, let's blame the WR's.

[ATLbound]

They drafted mostly defensive players & signed the best available FA CB. The magic number for points allowed was 20 (to keep your team in the game)So the offense needs to average at least 21. Atlanta just needed more consistency on offense.

I'm not sure I understand. Our offense averaged 22.7 points per game.

[E. T.]

I dont exactly see the offense lighting up the scoreboard. Yes the defense does have holes but i can remember a few games where the offense could have come through too.

Its a team effort...either side of the ball helps each other!

[ATLbound]

The offense scored an average of 22.7 points per game last year with all the injuries and terrible schedule. In 2008, the offense scored an average of 24.4 points per game. Both years were above 21 points per game.

Since we are facing them this week - I'll use Pittsburgh as an example. In 2008, they averaged 21.7 points per game on offense. That's less than we averaged even last year, during the mayhem. Yet, they won the Superbowl. What was the difference? Their defense gave up 13.9 points per game.

Exactly. Matter of fact let's take a look at last year. Since everybody is claiming this is an offensive league now.

The Bengals are in a similar division as us, where there are in most years 3 potential playoff contenders. Their defense was 6th in points allowed per game at 18.2 and their offense was at 19.1 pts per game.

They were worst than us on offense and better on defense and yet they went undefeated in a division with Pittsburgh and Baltimore in it.

They went to the playoffs and got beat by a defensive team (Jets).

The key here is not to try to become the Saints by beefing up our offense. We have to work with what we got and can get. We have a balanced offense that scores enough points per game to win. We need to balance the TEAM out with a better defense.

[Mojo Risin]

I dont exactly see the offense lighting up the scoreboard. Yes the defense does have holes but i can remember a few games where the offense could have come through too.

Its a team effort...either side of the ball helps each other!

Because you look through pessimistic eyes. Top 10 in scoring in '08 and 13th last season with an injured second year QB, RB and slot receiver. Better defense + a healthy offense will push us over the top.

[ATLbound]

I dont exactly see the offense lighting up the scoreboard. Yes the defense does have holes but i can remember a few games where the offense could have come through too.

Its a team effort...either side of the ball helps each other!

Of course there are going to be games where the offense wins it for us and then the defense wins it for us.

But if you look at last year for the most part our defense lost the games for us. This is why we're talking about averages. On average our offense does their part. It's time for the defense to rise up as well.

[E. T.]

Because you look through pessimistic eyes. Top 10 in scoring in '08 and 13th last season with an injured second year QB, RB and slot receiver. Better defense + a healthy offense will push us over the top.

You must look thru the same eyes....the defense had alot of injuries too.

[Mojo Risin]

You must look thru the same eyes....the defense had alot of injuries too.

No, I don't. I've recognized that.

But if you want to argue that last year's healthy defensive corp would have been better than average, go for it. I'll gladly take part. LOL

[ATLbound]

You must look thru the same eyes....the defense had alot of injuries too.

I don't think the defensive inuries compare at all to our offensive injuries.

Let's look at the injuries on defense and offense:

Defense: B Williams, P Jerry

Offense: M Ryan, M Turner, H Douglas, J Norwood

Now let's look at who will contribute to the team this year that is cominf off an injury:

Defense B Williams is the 4th CB on the team; P. Jerry is a starter but he is an unknown right now.

Offense: Ryan and Turner is obvious; HD and Norwood will have a significant amount of plays to contribute.

[Optimus*Crimes]

Last year there were only three games our offense didn't score above 10 points. We were 1-2 in those games.

One of those games we didn't have Turner, Ryan, HD (Eagles)

The other game that we won we didn't have Turner and a "turf toe'd" Ryan (Jets)

and then there was the Patriots

All the other games we scored 19 points or more.

On a good and balanced team, if the offense scores 3 TD's (21 pts.) then this should be enough for the team to win.

Out of the 22 teams (including us) whose defense gave up 20 points per game or above only 3 of them made the playoffs: Saints, Cardinals, and Chargers

Based on this there is a higher percentage of getting to the playoffs by making sure our defense is up to par moreso than by beefing up our offense.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying our offense doesn't need to be more efficient, but at this point we don't need better players on offense to get by. We actually need better players on defense. I'm hoping this is the year we can get that production from our defense.

I've been sayin this all offseason... All these cats complaining about MM, Jenks, lack of TDs in preseason, etc. seem to forget what our #1 problem was last year. It was our inability to get the D off the field. Plain and Simple.

[joenate]

I have been saying this all yearlong, but I got bashed and flamed for it. . . and was told MM and Jenkins were responsible for the trouble.

[FalconFanSince1970]

I don't think yall are breaking it down far enough.

We have played nine Top 10 Scoring Defenses under the current regime. Our offense averaged 18.8 points against them and went 4-5. That was inflated by the 45 point SF09 blow out. If they show up that average probably drops to 15.5 and go 3-6.

We also have scored fewer points against 3-4 defenses than 4-3 defenses. We will have to face 6-10 of them in 2010 to get where we wanna go. Starting with a beastly one Sunday. They finished 1st and 5th in points allowed the last two seasons.

The problem is the Oline. They struggle with good defenses and especially 3 front defenses. When we play 3-4s usually Ryan gets killed and the run game gets shut down.

I agree with Mike Peterson's comment today. This team will go as far as the defense takes us.

Offense RISE UP!!! - Oline, Ryan, Roddy, TG, Turner, Jenkins, Mularkey, Wildwood, HD, Smitty, Snelling, Musgrave, Fin......RISE.