Game Overview ::
By mike johnson >>
- Atlanta is coming off a huge divisional win over the Bucs and 10 days of rest, while Kirk Cousins appears to be hitting his stride in recovery from last year’s injury.
- Carolina is last in the NFL in scoring defense at 33 points per game and has given up 34 and 36 points, respectively, in the last two weeks.
- These defenses both rank bottom-3 in the league in PFF pass rush grade, so pocket passers Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins should have time to throw.
- This game is an underrated potential shootout, with Atlanta ranking top-12 in the NFL in both rushing offense and passing offense DVOA while Carolina is averaging 23.3 points per game when Andy Dalton starts.
How Atlanta Will Try To Win ::
The Falcons started the year with tough matchups against the Steelers, Eagles, and Chiefs while starting QB Kirk Cousins navigated his way back on the field after tearing his right Achilles tendon in 2023. This led to a moderate offensive approach that ran at a high rate and tried to hide/protect Cousins. Film grinders were all over the fact that Cousins wasn’t moving much in the pocket and wasn’t getting much drive off his back leg, which was the one he injured. It was over. Maybe Atlanta should just get a look at first round rookie QB Michael Penix? Fast forward two weeks and Cousins is coming off a career game of 509 yards, 4 TDs, and an epic 4th quarter/overtime comeback in a primetime game. Remember when the narrative was that “Primetime Kirk” couldn’t handle the spotlight? He has two primetime comebacks in five weeks this season, with another one against the Chiefs in Week 3 coming up just short.
Atlanta is unleashing their passing attack right now as they have had neutral pass rates of 73% and 79% over the last two weeks. Free agent acquisition Darnell Mooney and budding star Drake London are playing at a high level and the Falcons other receivers, Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge, are also playing very well with their limited opportunities. Even tight end Kyle Pitts sprang to life in Week 5 with seven catches for 88 yards, both of which would have been his best outing of 2023. The Falcons running game is no joke, either, as they have two very good running backs in Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, who rank 15th and 16th in PFF rushing grade through five weeks. The Falcons offensive line has been blocking very well and we should expect Cousins to have time to throw and the backs to have room to run in this game. Carolina put on a horrible display of tackling in Week 5 and Atlanta will have chances to make plays after the catch this week. Expect an aggressive Falcons offense early in this one as they look to build a lead and let their running game put it away late.
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