Atlanta Falcons: Most important player in each of the final 9 games
Week 13 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key player: Kyle Pitts (TE):
In the first matchup, A.J. Terrell was the key for the Atlanta Falcons to come out of Tampa with a victory, and in the second matchup, Terrell will certainly still be a big factor. However, for this one, Kyle Pitts will be the key.
Kyle Pitts needs to dominate whoever lines up to attempt to stop him, whether that is Lavonte David, Devin White, or the small Antoine Winfield Jr.
Matt Ryan must have the big body of Kyle Pitts dominating the opposition, especially in the red zone.
Week 14 – at Carolina Panthers
Key player: Matt Hennessy (C):
The Carolina Panthers drafted Derrick Brown in the top ten picks for a reason. He is a mammoth of a person, and will likely take a step up in his second year in the NFL.
Matt Hennessy is projected to be the Atlanta Falcons starting center, this making him matchup against Derrick Brown.
Hennessy may have a slight disadvantage in size, but you can negate that with technique.
Hopefully, Hennessy will be able to take a big step up in play with the new offense, he needs to give Derrick Brown a run for his money in the two matchups between the teams. If he does not, then the Falcons may have a big problem trying to run the ball down the middle.
Week 15 – at San Francisco 49ers
Key player: Isaiah Oliver (SCB):
There is a bit of uncertainty about what the Atlanta Falcons plan to do with Isaiah Oliver on defense. Possibly he could play a bit of safety.
However, when he played slot corner for the Falcons last year, he played pretty well.
Falcons fans know that Kyle Shanahan loves to create mismatches, and with an offense that features guys like George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Raheem Mostert, and others, you know Shanahan wants to get some of those guys lined up in the slot.
Oliver will have his hands full with the speed and quickness of those players. He will likely be matched up against a variety of players across the length of the game.