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3 vital keys for an Atlanta Falcons victory in week one of 2022

By Grayson Freestone

Jan 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10) runs against Atlanta Falcons safety Duron Harmon (21) after a catch during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10) runs against Atlanta Falcons safety Duron Harmon (21) after a catch during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Falcons
Aug 12, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) heads upfield against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports /

The second key is for the Atlanta Falcons to move the pocket on offense as much as possible

If the Atlanta Falcons can run the ball, then it will set up the play-action bootleg plays that Marcus Mariota can excel in.

If you effectively run the ball and then hit the defense with a play action it allows you to leave a defender unblocked and allows the quarterback to move his legs, scan, find a target, and throw. Even if no one is open then he can tuck it and run for a few yards, which keeps you ahead of the chains.

We also know that this Atlanta Falcons offensive line is probably not going to be the greatest, so keep Mariota as far away from them as you can. It can cover up the biggest problem the Falcons have on their offense.

Watching the Falcons’ offense with Marcus Mariota under center during the preseason, they were most effective when they called those bootleg plays. The play that Drake London caught his first pass on — and unfortunately got injured on — was a bootleg play. It seems like something Arthur Smith will lean on.

But, again, these only work when you have an effective run game, so as long as they execute on key one, then this offense should be able to move the ball.

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