What Is Wrong With the Atlanta Falcons Offense?

The Atlanta Falcons were bad last year.  Blame last year on the injuries to Julio Jones and Roddy White.  But the Falcons are still bad, what is the problem?

 Nine weeks into the season quarterback Matt Ryan has been sacked 15 times

While Jones and White are healthy, there are more important players on the offensive side.  Tackle Sam Baker, tackle Lamar Holmes, center Joe Hawley, and back-up center Peter Konz are all out for the season. That is an offensive line that has lost five key players.  The result?  Ryan has been sacked 15 times. 

Quarterback in distress

According to ProFootball Focus, in week seven against the Baltimore Ravens, Ryan was pressured on 32 percent  of his dropbacks.  The Ravens sacked Ryan five times.  They also had nine quarterback hits. 

It is taking a toll on Ryan's efficiency.  His production drops in the second half.  Ryan completes 70.2 percent of his passes in the first-half.  He only completes 58 percent of his passes in the second half.  In the fourth quarter he has been sacked seven times, thrown four interceptions, and completed 55.4 percent of his passes. 

As their offensive line becomes depleted their offensive output is put in a downward spiral.  In week three against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the offense put up 56 points; week four against the Minnesota Vikings they put up 28 points; week five versus the New York Giants 20 points, week six against the Chicago Bears 13 points and week seven versus the Baltimore Ravens seven points.  You get the picture.  A quarterback in distress equals bad offensive play.

While they may start out strong, the production dwindles not only as we progress through the NFL schedule, but also during the course of the game.

What's wrong with the Falcons?  Nothing a healthy offensive line couldn't cure. 

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