Falcons Defensive Improvements Highlighted by Pass Rush Development

In a pivotal moment for the Atlanta Falcons, the team showcased significant improvements in their pass rush during their Week 12 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich emphasized the importance of a sustainable four-man rush, particularly after the Falcons selected edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Ulbrich stated, 'The best defenses are the ones where they have four down, five down, they get down and they got guys that can just win.' This philosophy appears to be paying off, as the Falcons' pass rush now ranks third in the NFL with 39 sacks.

Their strategy has often relied on blitzing, with the Falcons bringing five or more pass rushers on 41 percent of opposing pass plays, the second-highest rate in the league. Their 18 percent sack rate on those blitzes leads the NFL, and their 51 percent pressure rate ranks fifth.

However, the recent game against the Saints marked a turning point; the Falcons blitzed a season-low eight times, which accounted for just 15 percent of the Saints' dropbacks, yet still generated pressure 38 percent of the time.

This matched their overall pressure rate for the season. Notably, the Falcons had previously struggled with their four-man rush, generating pressure on only 29 percent of those plays, placing them 27th in the league.

The standout performance in this game was from rookie James Pearce, alongside Arnold Ebiketie and Leonard Floyd, who collectively logged 15 pressures against the Saints. Pearce, who had primarily thrived during blitzes, managed to make a significant impact against a weakened Saints offensive line.

His development has been promising, as he recorded 15 pressures over the last four games, with a pressure rate of 16 percent, a significant improvement from his previous 7 percent. While Pearce and Walker are emerging as vital assets, the Falcons continue to utilize a deep rotation among their edge rushers to maintain effectiveness.

Ebiketie and Floyd have also played crucial roles; Ebiketie led the Falcons with six pressures against the Saints, while Floyd holds the team's top pressure rate at 16 percent when rushing four. The effective use of a rotating cast of pass rushers helps keep the unit fresh and efficient.

All four edge rushers—Pearce, Walker, Ebiketie, and Floyd—have pressure rates between 13 and 16 percent, showcasing their collective impact. The question remains whether the Falcons can consistently replicate this success against stronger opponents, or if their recent performance was merely a product of facing an underperforming Saints offensive line, which featured three backups and a rookie quarterback.

The Falcons' defensive strategy, spearheaded by Ulbrich and bolstered by young talents, hints at a potentially bright future for their pass rush and overall defensive capabilities.