The Falcons protection struggled in Lake’s one 12 months teaching it. He didn’t construct on a promising 2023 season when the unit ranked 18th in scoring (21.9 factors per sport) and eleventh in yards allowed (321.1 yards per sport). It was the primary time the unit completed inside the highest 20 in each defensive classes since 2017.
This season, Atlanta ranked twenty third in each scoring (24.9 factors per sport) and whole protection (345.2 yards per sport). Quarterbacks accomplished 69.9 p.c of their passes, the very best completion share allowed by a protection this season, and threw for 34 touchdowns, the second-most allowed by a protection.
Atlanta entered 2024 as the favorite (-130) to win the NFC South, however as a substitute, it prolonged its postseason drought to seven seasons.
The following defensive coordinator has his work minimize out for him. Not solely should he repair a foul secondary, however Atlanta was mediocre at stopping the run, too, rating 18th in yards per rush try allowed (4.5 yards).
The Falcons even have arguably the league’s worst go rush. Atlanta completed the season with 31 sacks, the league’s second-fewest. Its 20 p.c stress price ranked twenty fifth.
At the very least the subsequent coordinator will get to educate security Jessie Bates, who the Falcons added in 2023 as top-of-the-line free-agent signings in latest historical past.
In two seasons with the group, Bates has 234 tackles, 10 interceptions, seven compelled fumbles and two touchdowns.
Atlanta has spent closely on offensive expertise over the previous few seasons, together with utilizing its final 4 top-10 picks on tight finish Kyle Pitts, broad receiver Drake London, working again Bijan Robinson and quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
If these investments repay, the Falcons would solely want a reliable protection to probably earn a stranglehold of the NFC South, which the Buccaneers have gained the previous 4 seasons.
Atlanta swept the season collection in 2024, so it is not that removed from knocking Tampa from its perch. Firing Lake was the best transfer to get the Falcons to achieve their full potential.
