The Atlanta Falcons had the number one defense going into last night’s game against the Buffalo Bills, but the legitimacy of the Falcons’ top defense had been in question because of some of the opponents they had faced so far this season, but earlier today The Morning Shift explained why Atlanta’s defensive performance against the third ranked scoring offense and the reigning NFL MVP proved they’re the best total defense in the league.
“You had 21 points like 20 minutes into this game, and you held on all the way through the end because you kept putting it back in the hands of your defense against the literal reigning MVP of the NFL and they kept rising up to the occasion and getting it done.” Mike Johnson said.
The Falcons forced four 3-and-outs last night, their most in a single game this season and the most 3-and-outs by the Bills this season, who were averaging 30.6 points per game going into last night’s game.
The Falcons defense held the Bills to 291 total net yards, with Atlanta’s defense the only team in the NFL to hold opposing offenses to under 300 yards in every game this season.
The Falcons’ streak of five consecutive games holding opponents under 300 yards is the team’s longest since 1998 (Weeks 12-16). Atlanta’s defense is one of two (Minnesota) to not allow a 200-yard passer this season. The last time a Falcons defense had a streak of five games without allowing a 200-yard passer was 2018 (Weeks 11-15).
The Falcons defense disrupted, frustrated, and made the reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen look out of sorts, and held a Bills offense that had scored at least 30 points in their first four games to just 14 points, and if that doesn’t make a defense legit then nothing will.