The Atlanta Falcons gave up the most yards of any defence in the NFL last year.
They also ranked near the bottom in rushing yards on offence, a recipe that helped cook up a 6-10 record and opened the door for a new coach this year, Dan Quinn.
It did not take long for the former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator to figure out that the team needed to get steelier where it counted, on the lines, big man-on-big man.
“One of the things I was hoping for was just the effort of guys coming off the ball on both sides of the line of scrimmage,” Quinn told reporters this week, as his team prepared to protect their perfect, 4-0 record against the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
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A month into the season, you would have to say Quinn’s offensive and defensive lines have responded with the toughness they lacked in 2014.
The defence are giving up just 85 rushing yards per game, fifth in the league. The offence have added 20 yards on the ground per game to 113, and lead the NFL with nine rushing touchdowns.
The new, hardened Falcons are one of six remaining unbeaten teams, but the only one that did not play in the 2014 post-season, making them the biggest early season surprise.
The offensive line also have done a much better job protecting star quarterback Matt Ryan, who led the Falcons to a 13-3 record as recently as 2012.
With the newfound running attack, spearheaded by second-year man Devonta Freeman (seven touchdowns), Ryan does not have to be a one-man show anymore, and he is putting up elite numbers again.
His 300 passing yards per game are second in the league. After throwing two interceptions in the opening game, he has been turnover-free.
Ryan is quick to credit the rushing attack for getting him into second- and third-down plays that are not obvious passing situations.
“You end up seeing a lot more advantageous looks to throwing the football,” Ryan said. “We want to play aggressively, but that doesn’t always just mean throwing it deep.”
When he does want to throw deep, he has one of the best wide receivers in Julio Jones, who is once again collecting yards in bunches.
The 26-year-old Jones is tied for the league lead with 119.5 yards per game, with four touchdowns.
The Falcons’ physical play matches their stalwart record in tight situations, as well. Half of all NFL games are decided by eight points or less, putting a premium on fourth quarter play.
Atlanta’s first three victories were of the come-from-behind variety, as the Falcons rallied in the final 12 minutes to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
“We’ve found ways to get it done in the fourth quarter,” said Ryan, whose team tacked on an emphatic win over the Houston Texans in Game 4.
Ryan’s old nickname (Matty Ice for his cool-in-the-clutch play) has resurfaced. Quinn said he was aware of Ryan’s physical skills from afar, but has learnt some things about him that “you don’t know if you aren’t here every day”.
“There’s another level of focus that he has. I found out how tough a competitor he really is,” Quinn added.
Quarterback, apparently, was the one part of the team that did not need toughening.
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