The Atlanta Falcons are hot off a big loss Sunday Night against the Ravens, looking to right the reigns as they set off for their first win in Mercedes Benz Stadium. Now looking forward, the Falcons see a rejuvenated Caleb Williams who--while possibly still shaken by his hamstring injury--is set to play and surrounded by elite talent and one of the most innovative play-callers in the league Ben Johnson.
This weakened Falcons defense has a lot on their plate up against the leagues hottest rushing attack and a talented group of weapons. As for the Bears defense, they've held three teams to under 13 points while also giving up over 30 points in two games.
The two teams that scored over 30 against the Bears were the Panthers and Packers who both shared a common trait. Both used explosive plays and quarterback protection to stifle the Chicago defense. Hearing that, Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Jahan Dotson, with Michael Penix Jr. at the helm sounds good for Atlanta as long as the line holds up.
We could entirely see a swinging match from both these teams as above average defensive play meets offensive magic. But like I always say, the devils in the details, so these four matchups will determine if the Falcons can improve to 3-3 or fall to 2-4 against the Bears this afternoon..
4 key matchups that'll affect the Atlanta Falcons' Week 6 game vs. Bears
1. Kendal Daniels and Divine Deablo vs. the Bears run game
Before the Week 5 loss to the Ravens, Atlanta was allowing the least rushing yards per game per game at 48.3. Entering the game, most viewed the Ravens as the Falcons litmus test for their run defense. One they would soon come back negative on allowing 208 yards on the ground.
Through five weeks, the Bears have the NFL's best rushing offense averaging 173.2 rushing yards per game. This leaves no room for error if you're the Falcons. Falcons linebackers struggled in gap assignments against the Ravens, but Kendal Daniels and Divine Deablo is a talented LB duo.
Divine Deablo brought up his part in this improvement, and he knows the Falcons have to maintain tackle discipline and gap assignments if they want to compete against the zone run scheme of the Bears and keep D'Andre Swift in check.
2. Avieon Terrell vs. Rome Odunze
Second-round rookie Avieon Terrell's performance is one to celebrate early. He's allowedseven7 receptions on the season, only a 68.8 passer rating given up, while playing inside and out, on 109 coverage snaps. The Falcons have slowly trended him up in snaps, from just 34% in Week 1 to 57% in Week 5, and they seem to trust him both on the boundary and in the slot.
And in Week 6, Daniel Flick reported he'll make his first career start on the outside with C.J. Henderson ruled out and A.J. Terrell not eligible to be activated off IR until next week. Either way this is a big jump in reps and responsibility
Terrell is non shy to responsibility holding down the fort for Clemson just one year ago, but against the NFL's best--full time--is a new challenge. He'll face the Bears top wideout in Rome Odunze who averages around a 15 yard depth of target per PFF. He outsizes Terrell and can make big catches. Terrell will have to use his agility, footwork, and instincts to win leverage and make plays.
3. Drake London vs. Jaylon Johnson
Drake London has been fantastic this season as he ranks fourth in the NFL in yards despite having yet to score a touchdown. Ever since Michael Penix Jr. has returned to the lineup he's been proving in multiple ways to a force at the position, and that's bad news for the guy who will be shadowing him..
Jaylon Jonson, the CB shadowing London this week, ranks 97th out of 104 at a 38.8 PFF coverage grade. Johnson's allowed 17 receptions on the season and a 118.6 passer rating. On only 154 coverage snaps, with four missed tackles already--all according to PFF--Johnson's been incredibly weak for the Bears on paper, and on top of that he's been experiencing a sharp regression which is pulling him behind against more physical receivers.
This will be an opportunity for the Falcons to sling the rock and possibly see another major game from London.
4. Bijan Robinson vs. the Bears run defense
With the 11th overall offensive line in the league per PFF, the Falcons hold the second ranking in rushing yards per game at 166.8. This is on the back of the legendary Bijan Robinson who leads the league in rushing at 580 yards through just five weeks.
He and the Falcons are up against a team who according to Sharp Analytics averages around the 19th ranked defense in run rate, and third worst in yards before contact at 1.9 yards. The Bears allow 96 yards a game which equates to 9th in the league and have seen three 100+ yard rushing games against them. But they will be shorthanded up front.
With key players like Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo inactive for Chicago's defense, on top of the Bears lack of success against the run, Atlanta should be looking for a Bijan bounce back game from last week's 86-yard performance.
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