Atlanta Falcons defensive line is much improved in 2020
The Atlanta Falcons defensive line has been much improved in 2020.
When you are sitting at 2-6, there isn’t a lot that has gone right for you over the course of the season and that is the case for the Atlanta Falcons. Situational football, coaching, and the secondary have all been atrocious for the franchise through eight games.
While the Falcons have given up substantial leads late in games this season, the entire defense isn’t to blame. Matter of fact, the defensive line has been much improved when compared to last season.
This team allowed former first-round pick Vic Beasley to walk, Takk McKinley finally decided to dedicate himself to football and the franchise added Dante Fowler and Charles Harris to bolster the area of need. While the two wins may not show it, they have been an improvement.
The defensive line hasn’t allowed any quarterback to sit back and feel comfortable in the pocket. They ran Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Teddy Bridgewater, Kirk Cousins, and Aaron Rodgers off their spots all game long.
A tale of two years for the Atlanta Falcons defensive line.
In the preseason, we wrote about wanting this Atlanta Falcons defensive line to get to the 40 sack mark for the first time since the early 2000s. While they are not on track to do so, when you look at their numbers overall compared to last year, they are clearly a better group.
Last year, the Falcons ranked near the bottom of the NFL in rush yards per game as they were giving up almost 111 rushing yards per game to their opponents. In 2020, they have cut that number down to 96.3 yards are ranked in the top 10 among rushing defense.
In 2019, they accumulated 28 sacks, 66 tackles for loss, and just 69 quarterback hits. Halfway through the 2020 season, the Falcons are on pace to record 26 sacks, 88 tackles for loss, and 96 quarterback hits.
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Keep in mind, they are facing a much tougher schedule this season that is loaded with playoff teams.
While the record may not reflect it, Grady Jarrett and his colleagues on the Atlanta Falcons defensive line are having a much better year in 2020 than they did in 2019.