For a unit that had its fair share of struggles throughout the season, the Atlanta Falcons’ defense had plenty to be pleased with the day after Sunday’s 29-21 win over the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers.
The Falcons contained Carolina’s rushing attack to 91 yards on 3.5 yards per attempt. They held Carolina to 4 of 11 on third down. And they came away with two interceptions in the first half — one by Mykal Walker off longtime foe Cam Newton for a touchdown, then a follow-up on his replacement, P.J. Walker.
Coach Arthur Smith credited defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ play design, in which Foyesade Oluokun rushed around right tackle to force Newton to get rid of the ball, and Walker materialized from his linebacker spot to pick off the pass.
“I’m assuming obviously that Cam probably didn’t realize where Mike was popping from, and it was a good disguise, but it was good by all 11 (players),” Smith said. “It takes everybody to do their job.”
Starting cornerback A.J. Terrell nabbed his second interception of the season on the final Carolina possession before halftime. After the game, Terrell marveled at how his defensive teammates were getting comfortable and learning from one another.
“It’s very important, it’s very good for us,” Terrell said. “Just coming in, being young, and just buying into each other, (it is) trying to find chemistry each week and trying to get the W each week, too.”
Smith has hinted that Pees – both in their first year with the Falcons — could just be scratching the surface of what he can implement within his unit.
“It’s what your guys can handle, and we’re not going to force things that may not fit our current personnel,” Smith said. “That’s not a knock on anybody, that’s just the way it goes. You’re constantly evaluating that.”
Now 6-7 after once being 4-6, the Falcons are making a push in the NFC wild-card race and have a road game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers (7-6) that could prove crucial in the postseason chase.
The 49ers are coming off a 26-23 overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Tight end George Kittle caught 13 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, one week after hauling in nine receptions for 181 yards and two scores against Seattle.
Kittle will be the next offensive threat Atlanta’s burgeoning defense must neutralize.
“He’s one of those players that when you watch him play, he doesn’t cheat the game,” Smith said. “He’s a very, very effective route runner. He knows how to get open, makes big plays in big moments. I really have a great appreciation of the way he plays every down.”
Smith did not provide injury updates for his team, but later Monday, NFL Network reported that starting safety Erik Harris will miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Harris left early in the first quarter of Sunday’s game. He finishes his first season in Atlanta with 64 tackles, eight pass breakups and half a sack over 12 starts.
–Field Level Media