The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons’ run defense, O-line under spotlight,
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons’ run defense, which didn’t show up in the opener, will be the X-factor when they face the Eagles tonight at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons gave up 172 yards rushing to the Vikings, who only had to pass 10 times. The Eagles rushed for 123 yards on 31 carries in their 32-27 win over the Redskins.
Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen didn’t mince words about what happened in the season opener.
“We were soft on the outside,” Allen said.
The Falcons didn’t turn the run plays back inside to the help. Coach Dan Quinn is expecting a better effort against the Eagles.
“It wasn’t one thing or one scheme,” Quinn said. “We made the corrections that we needed to. We obviously talked (about) it, identified, walked through it, went through it to make sure that’s not part of what we are.”
The Falcons know they are going to see a constant stream of running plays until they show they can stop the run. The Eagles feature running backs Darren Sproles, Jordan Howard, who was acquired in a trade with Chicago, and rookie Miles Sanders, a second-round pick out of Penn State.
Sproles rushed nine times for 47 yards against the Redskins. Howard had six rushes for 44 yards, and Sanders had 11 rushes for 25 yards and had a 21-yard touchdown run called back because of a holding penalty.
Sproles is the outside speed back, while Howard is used to run insidezone plays. Sanders, who was heavily scouted by the Falcons, can also catch passes out of the backfield.
“Like most teams, they feature the running backs in their own unique ways and do the things they do best,” Quinn said.
Hot seat
After his performance against the Vikings in the season opener, Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews felt compelled to discuss the matter with coach Dan Quinn.
“I was frustrated that a couple of plays that I wanted to go my way, didn’t,” said Matthews, who gave up a sack on the first play of the game. “I’ve got to improve from it. The beauty of the league is that we have another game this Sunday.”
Matthews, who needs to play better, will be on the hot seat against the Eagles tonight.
The Falcons played their starters sparingly in the exhibition season and didn’t have any joint practices. They have started slow in each of the past four seasons.
However, Matthews wouldn’t use that as an excuse for the meek starts to the season.
“I think we do a good job of preparing and getting ready to play,” Matthews said. “It’s just about executing. I have to do a better job of that. As a team, we have to do it as well.”
The line will be front and center against the Eagles, who have held the Falcons to 12, 10 and 15 points in their past three meetings, all Philadelphia victories.
“Something that we can improve on is scoring points,” Matthews said. “We move the ball well. We just need to finish better. It starts with me and (offensive) line and all of us. … I’m real confident that we are going to get it going again.”
Three key matchups
■ Eagles QB Carson Wentz vs. Falcons FS Ricardo Allen: Wentz, who’s in his fourth-year in the NFL, runs the read-pass option plays to near perfection and leans on tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in the intermediate passing game. Now, he also has a new home run hitter in DeSean Jackson, who has 31 career touchdown passes of 50 yards or more.
Allen, the quarterback of the Falcons’ defense, will have to match wits with Wentz. He’ll have to get the Falcons aligned properly. They’ll have to attack the RPOs and make sure the speedy Jackson doesn’t get behind the secondary.
“Allen is always in the middle of it all,” Quinn said. “Directing traffic in the passing game this week, he’ll certainly be a factor, for sure. His recall, his ability to make plays, he is a factor in the middle of the field for us for sure.”
■ Eagles offensive tackles vs. Falcons defensive ends: Eagles tackles Jason Peters and Lane Johnson have been to 11 Pro Bowls. Peters, 37, has been to nine Pro Bowls. The Falcons’ Takk McKinley and Vic Beasley are coming off less-than-stellar performances against the Vikings. Both are standing up as outside linebackers in the Falcons’ 3-4 defense.
■ Eagles FS Malcolm Jenkins vs. Falcons RB Devonta Freeman and TE Austin Hooper: Jenkins, who spent his first five seasons with the Saints, is no stranger to the Falcons. He’s spent the past six years with the Eagles and picked up a Super Bowl LII ring. He will guard Freeman and sometimes Hooper in the passing game.
QB Corner
Here’s what Matt Ryan had to say about the Eagles:
Q: What are your thoughts on Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins?
A: Malcolm is a great player. Has been for a long time. Played against him seemingly … forever. He’s physical, he’s very smart, he’s very instinctive. They move him around quite a bit into different spots, different positions.
Q: How do you slow down Tim Jernigan and Fletcher Cox?
A: They’ve got good interior players. A good front four across the board and depth in the front four, and they rotate well. We’ve got to play well. Interior, we’ve got to play very well and handle some of the stuff that they do up front.
Q: How’s linebacker Nigel Bradham on the second level of their defense?
A: He flies, man. He is a really good player. Very athletic. Does a nice job for them, stays in really in all packages. They’ll play a lot of dime where they’ll leave one backer in the game, and he’s out there. He’s tough. He moves around, he tackles well, he’s physical, and he can run. I think he’s one of their premier guys.”