Through eight games the New York Giants lead the NFL with 35 sacks. Their defense is getting after opposing quarterbacks. On the opposite end of the list sit the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons have tallied a league-low six sacks in 2024. Sack totals aren't the only area of wide disparity between New York and Atlanta.
The Falcons are 5-3 and sit atop the NFC South. The Giants are at the bottom of their division at 2-6.
"Do they matter," Carl Dukes asked about sacks. "Yes. Do we want them? Yes. Do we need them? Yes. But the top five teams that have ever led this league, none of them won it (the Super Bowl)."
Mike Bell called New York out. "The Giants lead the league in sacks, but they have a disfunctional offense."
What matters more than the number of sacks, both Carl and Mike argue, is the timing of crushing the QB.
"It's not the number, it's when they take place," Carl said. He continued with proof of the top five team sack totals in NFL history. Not one of these teams hoisted a Super Bowl trophy.
1984 Bears (72 sacks) - lost NFC Championship.
1989 Vikings (71 sacks) - lost in Diviaional Round.
2022 Eagles (70 sacks) - couldn't beat the Chiefs.
1987 Bears (70 sacks) lead the league - lost Divisional Round.
1985 Giants (68 sacks) - lost to Bears in legendary game in NFC Divisional Round.
Even historic sack totals don't guarantee Super Bowl wins, but it could be tough for the Falcons to compete in 2024 with the team's current struggles with getting to the quarterback.
"It's abstract," Mike said about sack totals. "But when you're dead last in the NFL it's a problem."
Carl agreed and hammered the notion of timely sacks over huge numbers.
"We're not getting timely sacks either," Mike said in an effort to prove the Falcons' current struggles need to be addressed.
The Falcons don't have to lead the league this season, but improvement is necessary.