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These 2021 stats for the Atlanta Falcons will shock you

By Grayson Freestone

Dec 26, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ask yourself, what was the bigger problem for the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, their offense or their defense according to the Falcons’ stats?

The majority of people likely chose the defense because, well, this is the Atlanta Falcons, not exactly a team who has been known to have suffocating defenses — outside the “Grits Blitz” defense in 1977. And you would be partially correct, but the same can be said if you chose the offense.

The Falcons’ stats from 2021 show that the offense and defense deserve equal blame

When you look back on the 2021 season for the Atlanta Falcons, you likely blame the defense for the team’s struggles more so than the offense, when that should not be the case.

The offense was as big of a problem as their defense. It feels like people automatically assume that the Falcons’ offense is at least average, while their defense is always in the dumps. The latter statement can certainly be said about last season, but we cannot glance over how bad their offense was too.

Here are the Falcons’ stats on offense from last season:

  • 303.8 yards per game (29th in the NFL)
  • 218.4 passing yards per game (16th in the NFL)
  • 85.4 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL)
  • 18.4 points per game (26th in the NFL)

And here are the Falcons’ stats on defense from last season:

  • 364.4 yards allowed per game (26th in the NFL)
  • 232.5 passing yards allowed per game (18th in the NFL)
  • 131.9 rushing yards allowed per game ( 27th in the NFL)
  • 27 points allowed per game (Tied for 29th in the NFL)

So, basically, the Falcons’ defense ranked three spots higher in yards per game, two spots lower in passing yards per game, four spots higher in rushing yards per game, and three spots lower in points per game.

Those are essentially even with each other. This team struggled every bit as much on offense as they did on defense, and that is a scary thought considering some of the losses this team sustained over the offseason. Keep your expectations in check, we are in this for the long haul!

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