The Atlanta Falcons are 23rd in the NFL in rushing defense, giving up 133 yards on the ground per game to their opponents. Now, while that isn’t great, earlier today on The Morning Shift Former Atlanta Falcons Quarterback and now analyst for the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network Dave Archer explained how the Falcons rush defense has been improving, but will still be tested by Alvin Kamara and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
“I think that they’ve had moments where early on in the year they were getting gashed and maybe giving up the actual number where it’s been an explosive run here or there that kind put that number where it was.” Dave said.
Arch said he thinks the improvement in the Falcons run defense has been because the Falcons as a team have “adapted to what teams are trying to do to them” and that Falcons’ Defensive Coordinator Jimmy Lake has also “adapted to when he gets safeties down in the box and when he doesn’t”, but even with the improvement Dave still believes the Falcons’ rushing defense will still be “tested” on Sunday in New Orleans.
“They’re gonna get tested Mike you know that, they’re gonna come off the ball and try to match them in the run game because of what we just mentioned you know what Kamara has done against this team what 5.3 yards a touch, and it’s better than that in the run game.” Dave said.
In 14 career games against the Falcons Alvin Kamara has averaged 62.8 rush yards per game, 34.3 receiving yards per game, and has scored four touchdowns, all rushing, so the running back out of Norcross, Georgia definitely loves playing against his home team and has been in the pain in the Falcons’ side.
However, Troy Andersen will play against the Saints this Sunday, so that should give the Falcons’ defense an overall boost, including a boost in their run defense, and if the Falcons rush defense can continue to make strides, maybe the Georgia native in Kamara won’t be as effective as he usually is against the Falcons.