Scouting the Falcons
Falcons are counting on highest-scoring offense
›› Atlanta relies on its high-flying offense.
The Atlanta Falcons are trying to become the highest-scoring team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.
The Falcons led the league with 540 points, which is 33.8 a game. During their current six-game winning streak, including playoff victories over Seattle and Green Bay, they averaged 39. They scored 80 against the Seahawks and Packers.
Coming into Super Bowl LI against New England at NRG Stadium, the Falcons have scored at least 30 points in 13 games. They’ve scored at least 40 in six games, including Sunday’s 44-21 victory over the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.
Second-year coach Dan Quinn went to consecutive Super Bowls with Seattle as the Seahawks’ defense coordinator, so this is his third Super Bowl in four seasons.
General manager Tom Dimitroff and assistant general manager Scott Pioli — both of whom worked in the Patriots’ personnel department under Bill Belichick — have built an excellent roster.
Quinn and his assistants have done an exceptional job of developing the talent.
In 2015, Quinn’s first season, the Falcons started 5-0, dropped to 6-7 and finished 8-8.
This season, the Falcons lost their first game at home to Tampa Bay, stood 5-3 at the midway point and closed 6-2 to finish 11-15.
“I thought a shift took place for us,” Quinn said about the regular season. “We had a difficult loss to Kansas City (29-28 that made them 7-5), and that was probably the first shift when we went to LA.”
The Falcons beat the Rams to begin a four-game winning streak to close the regular season.
“We knew we could play better,” Quinn said. “Our unconditional support of each other (and) our intensity took it up a notch.
“I thought another shift took place during our bye week. We didn’t just hang around. We had real intent on getting better and finding an edge.”
And they did. They found an edge that has led them to the precipice of their first title.
The Falcons are making their second Super Bowl appearance. Under Dan Reeves in 1998, they danced the Dirty Bird before losing 34-19 to Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII.
A scouting report on the Falcons:
Strengths
Start with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s side of the ball. Atlanta led the NFL in scoring and ranked second in offense (415.8 yards), including fifth rushing (120.5) and third passing (295.3).
Quarterback Matt Ryan totaled 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 117.1 rating in regular season. In two playoff games, he’s completed 53-of-75 for 730 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
Ryan set an NFL record by throwing touchdown passes to 13 different receivers.
Ryan hasn’t been sacked in the playoffs. His offensive line has been superb in pass protection and run blocking.
Ryan’s favorite target is Julio Jones, who destroyed Green Bay’s secondary for nine catches, 180 yards and two touchdowns. He missed two games with a toe injury and has been playing hurt, but he still had 83 receptions for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns in regular season.
The Falcons have and outstanding running game with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. They’ve combined for 1,541 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns, and 85 catches for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Weaknesses
The Falcons’ defense has improved significantly during the six-game winning streak, allowing 19.3 points a game. Still, the Falcons finished 25th in defense (371.2), including 17th against the run (104.5) and 28th against the pass (266.7).
Because of quarterback Tom Brady, it makes sense that New England should be able to move the ball against an Atlanta defense that has seven starters in their first or second seasons.
Brady tore up Pittsburgh’s secondary in the AFC Championship Game and might
be able to do the same thing to the Falcons’ defense.
The Falcons allowed 4.5 yards a carry and surrendered 15 rushing touchdowns. Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount scored 18 touchdowns, including 11 from the 1-yard line. He might be able to pound the ball between the tackles and wear down the Falcons’ front seven.
Brady might be able to take advantage of the Falcons’ inexperience on defense. They have six linebackers and defensive backs, including three rookies, who have no more than two years of experience.
Keys to victory
Super Bowl LI features the team that scored the most points against the team that allowed the fewest.
The Falcons can win a shootout against anybody, including New England. Their best chance to win is if they don’t commit turnovers, avoid costly penalties, stay disciplined on both sides of the ball and finish drives.
Because of their great balance on offense, the Falcons are capable of big plays or marching down the field and using the clock. The best way to defeat Brady is to control the ball and keep him on the bench.
For those who think the Falcons’ extraordinary offense will be enough to help them earn their first Lombardi Trophy, history offers a similar situation for New England.
In the Patriots’ first Super Bowl under Belichick, he and his staff, including Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, found a way to contain the St. Louis Rams’ high-scoring Greatest Show on Turf.
And that St. Louis team scored 540 points and averaged 33.8 points — the same as the Falcons.