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Atlanta Falcons have to drastically improve red-zone scoring in 2020

By Jeff Benedict

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 08: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons on the sidelines in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 08: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons on the sidelines in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Falcons have to improve their red-zone production in 2020.

If there is one area that the Atlanta Falcons have been horrid, it is in red-zone production. The most frustrating part if that they have the best receiver in the game and a top-five or six quarterbacks, yet they can’t seem to be put the ball in end-zone.

Many love to blame Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan for the lack of success in the red zone but it is more than that. Going back to 2015, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan didn’t take advantage of matchups, neither did former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. The offense becomes very vanilla inside the 20 and 2019 under experienced coordinator Dirk Koetter was no exception.

Going back to the 2016 season that saw the Atlanta Falcons win the NFC and play in Super Bowl LI, Matt Ryan was fourth in red zone attempts and third in red-zone completion among all NFL quarterbacks. As on offense, the Falcons were eighth in red-zone efficiency scoring on 65 percent of their red-zone trips.

Atlanta Falcons red-zone issues aren’t a singular problem

Fast forward to 2019 and Matt Ryan was still fourth in red zone attempts but dropped to eighth in red zone completions. While some may point out that as the problem, it is much bigger than Matt Ryan. In 2019, the Falcons dropped to 25th in red-zone efficiency scoring on just 51 percent of their red-zone possessions.

That is a much bigger problem than Matt Ryan. That is play calling and creativity, blocking, and the offense in general not being able to execute when it matters most.

If the Atlanta Falcons are going to be able to turn it all around in 2020 they have to be in the mid to upper 60 as far as red zone efficiency goes if they are going to have a chance to compete in not just the NFC South but more importantly the wide-open NFC.

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Yes, the Falcons defense is going to have to be better in 2020 to think about winning a title but the offense has to capitalize every time the get into the red zone if they are going to end their losing streak at two seasons.

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