Our Defense Is Not That Bad

[Falconsfan567]

I know it's hard for people to look at our defense in anything other than a negative light after that playoff game last season. Yes that was a total embarrassment. We laid a huge egg on national tv in the playoffs at home after having the number 1 seed in the NFC. It's inexcuseable. But when you look at the regular season numbers our defense was not that bad last year.

Our defense gave up an average of 332.4 yards per game last season which was 16th in the NFL. Sure 16th isn't that good but it's not that bad either. How close were we to being elite (top 10)? The Ravens finished 10th at 318.9 yards per game. Really it's that close you say? Yep. Only 12 little yards. Where did the Falcons finish in 2009? Glad you asked. They finished 21st at 348.9 yards per game. So from 2009 to 2010 the Falcons defense improved by 16.5 yards per game. If they improve by that much again they would be at 315.9 yards per game which would have placed them at 10th in 2010. See how simple that was? Let's do it again.

Now let's do passing yards per game since that seems to be the major issue everyone has. The 2010 Falcons finished at 226.6 yards per game which ranked 22nd in the NFL. Yeah we could use some improvement on that. The 2009 Falcons finished 241.9 yards per game which was 28th in the NFL. That was an improvement of 15.3 yards per game. That kind of improvement in 2011 would result in the Falcons giving up 211.3 yards per game. That would have placed them 11th in 2010.

Let's look at points per game. The 2010 Falcons gave up 18.0 points per game which finished 5th in the NFL. Now that is elite. In 2009 the Falcons gave up 20.3 points per game. That was 14th in the NFL. So that was a 2.3 points per game improvement. From 2009 to 2010 they improved by 2.3 points per game. If they improve from 2.3 points per game from 2010 to 2011 they will finish at 15.7 and be ranked 3rd based on 2010 rankings.

Getting sacks is a big deal. The 2010 Falcons finished with 31 sacks which ranked 20th in the NFL. The 2009 Falcons finished with 28 sacks which ranked 26th in the NFL. That's an improvement of 3. If the 2011 Falcons improve by 3 sacks they would have 34 and finish ranked 17th. Yes it would be nice to see a bigger improvement in 2011 with our sacks but as Brian Billick once said, it's not how many sacks you get but when you get them that matters most.

So let's review and just lay out the numbers.

YARDS PER GAME

2009 = 348.9 (21st)

2010 = 332.4 (16th)

*2011 = 315.9 (10th)

PASSING YARDS PER GAME

2009 = 241.9 (28th)

2010 = 226.6 (22nd)

2011 = 211.3 (11th)

POINTS PER GAME

2009 = 20.3 (14th)

2010 = 18.0 (5th)

*2011 = 15.7 (3rd)

SACKS

2009 = 28 (26th)

2010 = 31 (20th)

*2011 = 34 (17th)

*2011 stats are my projections based off of improvement from 2009 to 2010 and using 2010 NFL rankings.

So if the 2011 Falcons defense has anywhere close to the amount of improvement that the 2010 Falcons defense had from 2009 than the Falcons will have an elite defense in 2011 and be more than capable of holding their own. I think with so many young players and them only going to get better that we are capable of making that kind of improvement. I'm not nearly as worried about the defense as most people. My biggest concern is why the offense has taken a step back each year since 2008.

[Banned]

[birdz4i]

unless we add a few pieces in FA then i see the numbers staying the same or going up. freeman and company will have another year under their belt, carolina might not be as bad as last year, we couldn t stop philly. we get gb and indy, houston can move the ball, and no telling how det might do w/ stafford having another year down.

Edited May 10, 2011 by birdz4i

[Falconsfan567]

unless we add a few pieces in FA then i see the numbers staying the same or going up. freeman and company will have another year under their belt, carolina might not be as bad as last year, we couldn t stop philly. we get gb and indy, houston can move the ball, and no telling how det might do w/ stafford having another year down.

I think it has more to do with the gameplan and play calling than the players themselves. I really like our starting defense.

[birdz4i]

I think it has more to do with the gameplan and play calling than the players themselves. I really like our starting defense.

i agree that bvg isn t up to par when it comes to dialing up pressure. but i still believe that we could use another play maker in the front 4, a lb that can cover in pass protection and possibly replace mp53. then if its true we are not resigning b will we need another cb since that only leaves 4.

[Falconsfan567]

i agree that bvg isn t up to par when it comes to dialing up pressure. but i still believe that we could use another play maker in the front 4, a lb that can cover in pass protection and possibly replace mp53. then if its true we are not resigning b will we need another cb since that only leaves 4.

The main focus of everyone seems to be DE. I think a big clogging guy in the middle of the DL is our biggest defensive need. A guy that will take up 2 blockers and sometimes 3 and let the DEs and LBs work. We had that with Grady Jackson in 2008 and it allowed John Abraham to have a career season. We got rid of Jackson after that year and have never replaced him. We drafted Jerry but he's been hurt and when he has been on the field he's been invisible.

[birdz4i]

yeah i have said that a bunch. i don t agree w/ the lighter, faster dt to hustle to the ball philosophy. i want my dt's to eat space, stuff the middle and command doubles. let the ends and backers run the ball down. but i mostly get the "well, we would have to change our scheme then" response.

[strat1080]

I don't know where you got those stats but Atlanta was #22 against the pass.

They were #22 in 3rd down pct.

they were #22 against the pass.

They were #20 in sacks.

They were #19 in Defensive Passer Rating.

They were #27 in Yds/Play

Those numbers are probably the most important indicators of a defense. The gross defensive numbers (Yds/Game & Pts/Game) can be highly misleading. The numbers I posted are what truly represent how good a defense is. Can they get off the field? Can they stop the pass and get after the QB? Those numbers were what a lot of analysts saw going into the matchup with Green Bay and are why they thought Green Bay was going to win. You can't be a poor defense against the pass and expect to win in the playoffs. The NFL is changing. The biggest indicator of success these days tends to be the Passer Rating differential. Your goal is to have a high passer rating and hold the opposing QB to a lower passer rating. That wins games.

I don't see how anybody can say that the defense isn't bad with a straight face. Aaron Rodgers had a field day with the Falcons defense. The Falcons need to dramatically improve their defense otherwise the more complete teams in the NFC will continue to beat them in the playoffs. As you can see the Falcons gross defense stats are highly misleading and have been masked by a ball control offense. That's why I'm not convinced that the Julio Jones deal was a good idea. The idea is to be more explosive. Well that means quicker scores and leaving the opponent's offense in the field more. In reality, the Falcons have a below average defense. The end result is that they couldn't force Green Bay to even punt. Be real. The Packers quit trying half-way through the 3rd quarter. The game was basically over when they went up 42-14 late in the 3rd quarter. They could have scored 60 points if they wanted to.

[bradael]

Pretty much what strat said....

Yards per play & passer rating allowed are more of an indication of defense than anything else. Atlanta had the 4th fewest scrimmage plays defensively due to the ball control offense. Going by that alone they should be ranked fairly high defensively in terms of total yardage.

Now you have to take into consideration the drafting of Julio Jones. Does this change the Falcons to more of a pass happy offense as opposed to the run oriented offense that they were? If this is the case then the amount of plays the defense will be on the field will jump a good bit next year.

[strat1080]

yeah i have said that a bunch. i don t agree w/ the lighter, faster dt to hustle to the ball philosophy. i want my dt's to eat space, stuff the middle and command doubles. let the ends and backers run the ball down. but i mostly get the "well, we would have to change our scheme then" response.

That really doesn't work all that well anymore. The explosive 3-techs and pass rushing NTs are what teams covet now days. You've gotta have a guy that can penetrate and move the QB off the spot. I know its been sad that Atlanta needs a DE. What I really saw in that 48-21 thumping was absolutely no interior pressure on Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons either didn't get enough rush with 3 or they sent guys off the edges but Rodgers could step up and move outside the pocket any time he wanted. If you have to blitz the elite QBs in the playoffs to get pressure you just aren't going to win.

Guys like Ngata, Suh, and Raji are going to be the future of the NFL as interior rushers from the DT position. The run stuffing space eaters don't really have that much practical use against the good offenses. Casey Hampton was a complete non-factor against Green Bay in the Super Bowl. If you go up against the big time pass offenses you've gotta have 4 guys up front that can rush the passer. Stopping the run in today's NFL is irrelevant. Green Bay was near the bottom of the NFL in rushing and stopping the run. You have to be able to stop it when you need to but overall you have to be really good against the pass to succeed in today's NFL. A deep secondary with good size, LBs with speed and a monster pass rush are what today's game requires. You've really gotta have 3-4 guys that can get after the QB. That is where the Falcons are really lacking.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Strat you left off the all important rush yards per carry allowed which was freakin dismal. I think the OP is smokin sherm. Posted jury rigged stats then some jack leg projections based on em. Pete, Nic, Grimes, BWill and Coleman all contributed to the numbers. All could be gone.

[birdz4i]

That really doesn't work all that well anymore. The explosive 3-techs and pass rushing NTs are what teams covet now days. You've gotta have a guy that can penetrate and move the QB off the spot. I know its been sad that Atlanta needs a DE. What I really saw in that 48-21 thumping was absolutely no interior pressure on Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons either didn't get enough rush with 3 or they sent guys off the edges but Rodgers could step up and move outside the pocket any time he wanted. If you have to blitz the elite QBs in the playoffs to get pressure you just aren't going to win.

Guys like Ngata, Suh, and Raji are going to be the future of the NFL as interior rushers from the DT position. The run stuffing space eaters don't really have that much practical use against the good offenses. Casey Hampton was a complete non-factor against Green Bay in the Super Bowl. If you go up against the big time pass offenses you've gotta have 4 guys up front that can rush the passer. Stopping the run in today's NFL is irrelevant. Green Bay was near the bottom of the NFL in rushing and stopping the run. You have to be able to stop it when you need to but overall you have to be really good against the pass to succeed in today's NFL. A deep secondary with good size, LBs with speed and a monster pass rush are what today's game requires. You've really gotta have 3-4 guys that can get after the QB. That is where the Falcons are really lacking.

i am not saying they have to be 350 lbs or anything. i am just talking up to around 320. babs, jerry and peters are in the 290 lbs range.

[Quarterback]

I don't know where you got those stats but Atlanta was #22 against the pass.

They were #22 in 3rd down pct.

they were #22 against the pass.

They were #20 in sacks.

They were #19 in Defensive Passer Rating.

They were #27 in Yds/Play

Those numbers are probably the most important indicators of a defense. The gross defensive numbers (Yds/Game & Pts/Game) can be highly misleading. The numbers I posted are what truly represent how good a defense is. Can they get off the field? Can they stop the pass and get after the QB? Those numbers were what a lot of analysts saw going into the matchup with Green Bay and are why they thought Green Bay was going to win. You can't be a poor defense against the pass and expect to win in the playoffs. The NFL is changing. The biggest indicator of success these days tends to be the Passer Rating differential. Your goal is to have a high passer rating and hold the opposing QB to a lower passer rating. That wins games.

I don't see how anybody can say that the defense isn't bad with a straight face. Aaron Rodgers had a field day with the Falcons defense. The Falcons need to dramatically improve their defense otherwise the more complete teams in the NFC will continue to beat them in the playoffs. As you can see the Falcons gross defense stats are highly misleading and have been masked by a ball control offense. That's why I'm not convinced that the Julio Jones deal was a good idea. The idea is to be more explosive. Well that means quicker scores and leaving the opponent's offense in the field more. In reality, the Falcons have a below average defense. The end result is that they couldn't force Green Bay to even punt. Be real. The Packers quit trying half-way through the 3rd quarter. The game was basically over when they went up 42-14 late in the 3rd quarter. They could have scored 60 points if they wanted to.

[Falconsfan567]

I don't know where you got those stats but Atlanta was #22 against the pass.

They were #22 in 3rd down pct.

they were #22 against the pass.

They were #20 in sacks.

They were #19 in Defensive Passer Rating.

They were #27 in Yds/Play

Those numbers are probably the most important indicators of a defense. The gross defensive numbers (Yds/Game & Pts/Game) can be highly misleading. The numbers I posted are what truly represent how good a defense is. Can they get off the field? Can they stop the pass and get after the QB? Those numbers were what a lot of analysts saw going into the matchup with Green Bay and are why they thought Green Bay was going to win. You can't be a poor defense against the pass and expect to win in the playoffs. The NFL is changing. The biggest indicator of success these days tends to be the Passer Rating differential. Your goal is to have a high passer rating and hold the opposing QB to a lower passer rating. That wins games.

I don't see how anybody can say that the defense isn't bad with a straight face. Aaron Rodgers had a field day with the Falcons defense. The Falcons need to dramatically improve their defense otherwise the more complete teams in the NFC will continue to beat them in the playoffs. As you can see the Falcons gross defense stats are highly misleading and have been masked by a ball control offense. That's why I'm not convinced that the Julio Jones deal was a good idea. The idea is to be more explosive. Well that means quicker scores and leaving the opponent's offense in the field more. In reality, the Falcons have a below average defense. The end result is that they couldn't force Green Bay to even punt. Be real. The Packers quit trying half-way through the 3rd quarter. The game was basically over when they went up 42-14 late in the 3rd quarter. They could have scored 60 points if they wanted to.

I mentioned that the Falcons were 22nd against the pass last season. 3rd down conversion rate is a fickle stat. 13 teams finished between the 37% and 39%. The Patriots finished dead last at 47%. The Denver Broncos who finished dead last in the NFL in both yards and points given up finished at 38%.

[Falconsfan567]

Strat you left off the all important rush yards per carry allowed which was freakin dismal. I think the OP is smokin sherm. Posted jury rigged stats then some jack leg projections based on em. Pete, Nic, Grimes, BWill and Coleman all contributed to the numbers. All could be gone.

How did I jury rig these stats. All I did was post how much the Falcons defense improved from 2009 to 2010 and that if they have the same kind of improvement in 2011 where they would rank using the 2010 rankings. It's not that hard to understand. It's not out of the question to think that they could have that same kind of improvement across the board.

[Quarterback]

I know it's hard for people to look at our defense in anything other than a negative light after that playoff game last season. Yes that was a total embarrassment. We laid a huge egg on national tv in the playoffs at home after having the number 1 seed in the NFC. It's inexcuseable. But when you look at the regular season numbers our defense was not that bad last year.

Our defense gave up an average of 332.4 yards per game last season which was 16th in the NFL. Sure 16th isn't that good but it's not that bad either. How close were we to being elite (top 10)? The Ravens finished 10th at 318.9 yards per game. Really it's that close you say? Yep. Only 12 little yards. Where did the Falcons finish in 2009? Glad you asked. They finished 21st at 348.9 yards per game. So from 2009 to 2010 the Falcons defense improved by 16.5 yards per game. If they improve by that much again they would be at 315.9 yards per game which would have placed them at 10th in 2010. See how simple that was? Let's do it again.

Now let's do passing yards per game since that seems to be the major issue everyone has. The 2010 Falcons finished at 226.6 yards per game which ranked 22nd in the NFL. Yeah we could use some improvement on that. The 2009 Falcons finished 241.9 yards per game which was 28th in the NFL. That was an improvement of 15.3 yards per game. That kind of improvement in 2011 would result in the Falcons giving up 211.3 yards per game. That would have placed them 11th in 2010.

Let's look at points per game. The 2010 Falcons gave up 18.0 points per game which finished 5th in the NFL. Now that is elite. In 2009 the Falcons gave up 20.3 points per game. That was 14th in the NFL. So that was a 2.3 points per game improvement. From 2009 to 2010 they improved by 2.3 points per game. If they improve from 2.3 points per game from 2010 to 2011 they will finish at 15.7 and be ranked 3rd based on 2010 rankings.

Getting sacks is a big deal. The 2010 Falcons finished with 31 sacks which ranked 20th in the NFL. The 2009 Falcons finished with 28 sacks which ranked 26th in the NFL. That's an improvement of 3. If the 2011 Falcons improve by 3 sacks they would have 34 and finish ranked 17th. Yes it would be nice to see a bigger improvement in 2011 with our sacks but as Brian Billick once said, it's not how many sacks you get but when you get them that matters most.

So let's review and just lay out the numbers.

YARDS PER GAME

2009 = 348.9 (21st)

2010 = 332.4 (16th)

*2011 = 315.9 (10th)

PASSING YARDS PER GAME

2009 = 241.9 (28th)

2010 = 226.6 (22nd)

2011 = 211.3 (11th)

POINTS PER GAME

2009 = 20.3 (14th)

2010 = 18.0 (5th)

*2011 = 15.7 (3rd)

SACKS

2009 = 28 (26th)

2010 = 31 (20th)

*2011 = 34 (17th)

*2011 stats are my projections based off of improvement from 2009 to 2010 and using 2010 NFL rankings.

So if the 2011 Falcons defense has anywhere close to the amount of improvement that the 2010 Falcons defense had from 2009 than the Falcons will have an elite defense in 2011 and be more than capable of holding their own. I think with so many young players and them only going to get better that we are capable of making that kind of improvement. I'm not nearly as worried about the defense as most people. My biggest concern is why the offense has taken a step back each year since 2008.

But when you look at the regular season numbers our defense was not that bad last year.

You're right--it's worse! Just factor in the Falcon's ball control offense that chews up plays and the clock to purposefully limit their defense's time on the field out of fear of what just could happen (see Philadelphia and Green Bay playoff games) and the the mediocre numbers are misleading. The Falcon's defense ranking of 5th in giving up points is directly attributable to their opponent's opportunity (time) to score.

No, we often couldn't stop anyone when we had to and usually at the end of all games our opponents would march down the field for a go ahead FG or TD while we just hoped to have enough time left to pull out a victory. All in, our defense had the definition of "average" or "middle of the pack" written all over it and after three years this is unacceptable progress. This year--his 4th--will be a defining moment in Mr. BVG's career with the Falcons.

[birdz4i]

You're right--it's worse! Just factor in the Falcon's ball control offense that chews up plays and the clock to purposefully limit their defense's time on the field out of fear of what just could happen (see Philadelphia and Green Bay playoff games) and the the mediocre numbers are misleading. The Falcon's defense ranking of 5th in giving up points is directly attributable to their opponent's opportunity (time) to score.

No, we often couldn't stop anyone when we had to and usually at the end of all games our opponents would march down the field for a go ahead FG or TD while we just hoped to have enough time left to pull out a victory. All in, our defense had the definition of "average" or "middle of the pack" written all over it and after three years this is unacceptable progress. This year--his 4th--will be a defining moment in Mr. BVG's career with the Falcons.

his lack of improvement thus far is justification enough to get rid of him.

[kiwifalcon]

I will flip the script a little here in defense of BVG what I will say is this in his defense to be honest outside of ABE and Babs in the last 3 seasons how many other difference makers has BVG had to work with..Now I will say this what he has had is alot of inexperinced guys which are developing nicely with a splattering of vets to help them develop now with this in mind I really think guys like Lofton Moore DeCoud Weatherspoon Grimes and Robinson really need to step up to the next level for us to get the results our fanbase demands.

Personally I think BVG has done a decent job given the circumstances and the cards dealt over the last 3 seasons and I for one am seeing improvement consistently across the board with our drafted players who will be the back bone of the team going foward.

[wilco]

+1

Great post man!

The only thing that is making me sceptical is that we had quite favourable schedule in 2010.

[MSalmon]

I will flip the script a little here in defense of BVG what I will say is this in his defense to be honest outside of ABE and Babs in the last 3 seasons how many other difference makers has BVG had to work with..Now I will say this what he has had is alot of inexperinced guys which are developing nicely with a splattering of vets to help them develop now with this in mind I really think guys like Lofton Moore DeCoud Weatherspoon Grimes and Robinson really need to step up to the next level for us to get the results our fanbase demands.

Personally I think BVG has done a decent job given the circumstances and the cards dealt over the last 3 seasons and I for one am seeing improvement consistently across the board with our drafted players who will be the back bone of the team going foward.

How can you say this? Three straight drafts prior to this one we spent almost all our high picks on defense. Obviously, BVG has a say in what players he wanted to draft--so how does he get a pass? Bottom line is this, is it the scheme or the players? Or the D coordinator that had major input on both? A lot of D coordinators have not had the luxury of two in a row first round defensive players (Jerry and Weatherspoon); two 2nd rounders (lofton and Moore); a boatload of third rounders (peters, decoud and others) on a consistent basis. Even this year, he got a third round LB. It is not like TD and Smith have not invested in this defense. And on top of that, BVG inherited a very solid Babineux to work with. If we sign a FA DE this year like Edwards or Johnson, and we falter or have lapses on defense, I see changes a coming. Starting with BVG drawing unemployment.

Oh, yeah, did I mention that very aggressive signing of the best cb available last year--Duntae Robinson.

If anyone can whine prior to this year, it might be mularkey. This is the first year that he was allotted a stud player since Ryan was picked. And the Oline coach has done an outstanding job with two UDFAs, a leftover second rounder (blalock); a marginal first round pick (baker) and an old vet in McClure (7th rounder, right?). Same with Mularkey with WRs until this year. He had a leftover first rounder (white); an overdrafted possession guy (Jenkins); a hurt smurf (HD); and Finn prior to this year, yet he has kept the ship afloat for the most part.

Look, i'm hoping that our defense is studly next year--in fact I think that it will be--but guess what if not, then our DCoordinator is at fault. His bosses have given him the tools, invested in his scheme with his players and bottom line if we are mediocre it's on him.

[ironhead1970]

The main focus of everyone seems to be DE. I think a big clogging guy in the middle of the DL is our biggest defensive need. A guy that will take up 2 blockers and sometimes 3 and let the DEs and LBs work. We had that with Grady Jackson in 2008 and it allowed John Abraham to have a career season. We got rid of Jackson after that year and have never replaced him. We drafted Jerry but he's been hurt and when he has been on the field he's been invisible.

+1000!

[Quarterback]

his lack of improvement thus far is justification enough to get rid of him.

[Quarterback]

How can you say this? Three straight drafts prior to this one we spent almost all our high picks on defense. Obviously, BVG has a say in what players he wanted to draft--so how does he get a pass? Bottom line is this, is it the scheme or the players? Or the D coordinator that had major input on both? A lot of D coordinators have not had the luxury of two in a row first round defensive players (Jerry and Weatherspoon); two 2nd rounders (lofton and Moore); a boatload of third rounders (peters, decoud and others) on a consistent basis. Even this year, he got a third round LB. It is not like TD and Smith have not invested in this defense. And on top of that, BVG inherited a very solid Babineux to work with. If we sign a FA DE this year like Edwards or Johnson, and we falter or have lapses on defense, I see changes a coming. Starting with BVG drawing unemployment.

Oh, yeah, did I mention that very aggressive signing of the best cb available last year--Duntae Robinson.

If anyone can whine prior to this year, it might be mularkey. This is the first year that he was allotted a stud player since Ryan was picked. And the Oline coach has done an outstanding job with two UDFAs, a leftover second rounder (blalock); a marginal first round pick (baker) and an old vet in McClure (7th rounder, right?). Same with Mularkey with WRs until this year. He had a leftover first rounder (white); an overdrafted possession guy (Jenkins); a hurt smurf (HD); and Finn prior to this year, yet he has kept the ship afloat for the most part.

Look, i'm hoping that our defense is studly next year--in fact I think that it will be--but guess what if not, then our DCoordinator is at fault. His bosses have given him the tools, invested in his scheme with his players and bottom line if we are mediocre it's on him.

+1

[Robb4242]

It's early, and I just gave this a quick read (without my glasses on) and a couple of things come to mind. Primarily, the one key that is not factored in here is time of possession. A main reason many of our defensive weaknesses did not look so overwhelming in the statistical category is because of our ball control offense this past season. By having an average ToP of 32:47/game (2nd in the league), we effectively kept the other team's offense off the field for at least 1 sustained drive of 6 or more plays (meaning 3 plays for a 1st down & then 3 plays no 1st down, so between 10 - 19 yards on average), or 2 sets of 3 & outs (between 0 - 18 yards) per game. That alone could easily make up the difference in our defensive statistics between 2009 & 2010. For comparison sake, our 2009 ToP was 29:54, so our offense held the ball almost 3 minutes per game longer in 2010 than they did in 2009.

Looking ahead to 2011, what has been the catch phrase coming out of Flowery Branch all offseason? Get more explosive. To that effect, we draft Julio Jones & Jacquizz Rodgers with 2 of our first 3 picks. We have worked to try and make ourselves more of a quick strike offense. This is likely going to lower our ToP in 2011, which will put the same defense out on the field for extra series each game. So while you are suggesting another small improvement in our stats for next year is in the making, the greater chance is that we're going backwards to where we were in 2009 because our D is going to be out on the field longer and have more plays run against them than they did in 2010.

[Nono]

I don't know where you got those stats but Atlanta was #22 against the pass.

They were #22 in 3rd down pct.

they were #22 against the pass.

They were #20 in sacks.

They were #19 in Defensive Passer Rating.

They were #27 in Yds/Play

Those numbers are probably the most important indicators of a defense. The gross defensive numbers (Yds/Game & Pts/Game) can be highly misleading. The numbers I posted are what truly represent how good a defense is. Can they get off the field? Can they stop the pass and get after the QB? Those numbers were what a lot of analysts saw going into the matchup with Green Bay and are why they thought Green Bay was going to win. You can't be a poor defense against the pass and expect to win in the playoffs. The NFL is changing. The biggest indicator of success these days tends to be the Passer Rating differential. Your goal is to have a high passer rating and hold the opposing QB to a lower passer rating. That wins games.

I don't see how anybody can say that the defense isn't bad with a straight face. Aaron Rodgers had a field day with the Falcons defense. The Falcons need to dramatically improve their defense otherwise the more complete teams in the NFC will continue to beat them in the playoffs. As you can see the Falcons gross defense stats are highly misleading and have been masked by a ball control offense. That's why I'm not convinced that the Julio Jones deal was a good idea. The idea is to be more explosive. Well that means quicker scores and leaving the opponent's offense in the field more. In reality, the Falcons have a below average defense. The end result is that they couldn't force Green Bay to even punt. Be real. The Packers quit trying half-way through the 3rd quarter. The game was basically over when they went up 42-14 late in the 3rd quarter. They could have scored 60 points if they wanted to.

nuff said---excellent post +1 I am beetching just saying we could stand to improve at more than one position