The Atlanta Falcons have a growing problem against the blitz, and opposing defenses are giving them plenty of opportunities to figure it out. When Michael Penix Jr. is pressured, he's been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, and teams are starting to exploit that tendency against the Falcons.
According to Pro Football Network, the Falcons have faced a blitz on 36.5% of their offensive dropbacks this season, the second highest rate in the NFL behind only the Chicago Bears (40.9%).
That number alone isn't necessarily concerning. Teams blitz for different reasons, and Atlanta has shown it can make defenses pay for sending extra rushers. But because Penix has struggled to handle pressure and lacks mobility, it's exposed an issue that has threatened to sink this offense.
From missed assignments in pass protection to Penix's decision-making and the coaching staff's approach, Atlanta has plenty to clean up if it wants to stop defenses from attacking this weakness.
The Atlanta Falcons' struggles against the blitz are becoming a problem
The Atlanta Falcons' Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears was probably the clearest example of how badly things can go when Atlanta struggles to handle pressure.
Chicago blitzed Penix 22 times, sacking him five times and forcing two fumbles, one of which Atlanta lost. Bears defensive back Kyler Gordon was particularly effective, recording three sacks in his first game of the season.
Opposing defensive coordinators have seen what happens when the Falcons struggle to identify pressure and protect their quarterback. Until Atlanta consistently proves it can beat those extra rushers, there's little reason for defenses to stop testing them.
Michael Penix Jr. can't fix the Falcons' issues against the blitz alone
Micahel Penix Jr. certainly deserves some responsibility for the Atlanta Falcons struggles, particularly when it comes to recognizing pressure before the snap and getting the ball out quickly and accurately.
But blaming everything on the quarterback would ignore some pretty obvious problems elsewhere.
Even running back Bijan Robinson acknowledged that he needed to improve his pass protection following the Bears game, as he surrendered three pressures and two sacks in that game.
"They brought a lot of different looks on the blitz," Robinson said. "So it was just some things that we gotta fix on that aspect. I gotta be better. Make sure I get across in time so I can make sure Mike's comfortable."
When a defense sends extra rushers, everyone has a responsibility. The offensive line needs to communicate and pick up assignments, running backs need to recognize their protection responsibilities, and Penix needs to identify where the pressure is coming from.
The truth is defenses are going to keep testing the Falcons until they consistently prove they can handle pressure. And this is an offensive line that's already underperformed this season, so new OL coach Bill Callahan doesn't have long to get it right
And with Atlanta sitting at 3-5 following another frustrating loss, figuring that out needs to become a priority for the entire offense, not just Penix.
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