Just like a season ago, the Atlanta Falcons' defense was hot to start the year and got worse as the season went on. I guess it must be a Jeff Ulbrich trend. The pressure has struggled to get home of late, but more than anything, the run defense has sputtered after a scorching hot start to the season.
According to Field Yates, the Falcons allowed the least rushing yards per game in the NFL across Weeks 1-4, but across Weeks 5-9, they've allowed the NFL's most rushing yards per game. Bucky Irving and Derrick Henry are among the backs who went off against them, as they made the wrong kind of history against the Bucs--and it's clear at this point any success this unit had was fool's gold.
Many of Atlanta's better performances against the run came against weak run games like the Packers and Saints. The bad news is that they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Week 10 and they have one of the best rushing attacks in the league because of one of the best RBs in the NFL in Kenneth Walker III.
Ever since the reigning Super Bowl MVP left Seattle to sign with Kansas City, he's made an offense that was already elite even more dangerous. The only running back in the NFL with more rushing yards than Walker III (872) is Bijan Robinson with 880, so this one could end poorly for the home team.
Kenneth Walker is going to run all over the Falcons' defense in Week 10
The 6-2 Chiefs have fed Kenneth Walker this season, turning him into the the workhorse back he was always capable of being with the Seahawks. They practically run their offense through him now that they have a run game, so when they stack the box, Patrick Mahomes can beat them through the air--and vice versa. When the Falcons have extra DBs on the field, Walker will make them regret that.
K9 is a tough runner who's blend of elusiveness and power makes him a nightmare to bring down, and it shows. According to Stat Rankings, Walker III is tied with Jahmyr Gibbs with a league-leading 57 missed tackles forced--and making defenders look silly been his MO since he was at Michigan State.
That's bound to end well. In Week 9 against the Jets, the 26-year-old had his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season and totaled three touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving). Just a hunch here, but I would be surprised if he doesn't surpass the century mark for the second straight game.
Speaking of Mahomes, he will play after injuring his elbow against the Jets, but we know he's going to be less than 100% and in a good deal of pain. So with that in mind, the Chiefs are going to rely on their superstar running back to wear down Jeff Ulbrich's defense and pound the rock primarily, and given Jaylen Warren is the only RB averaging more yards per carry, he should succeed.
The Dirty Birds have some good run defenders like LaCale London, but frankly, it's going to take more than that to slow this guy down. Kenneth Walker has proven himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL this year, which is not an optimal matchup for a defense that's struggled against the run.
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