The DL won that game. The Offensive Coaching was actually beautiful. JDR diversified his defenses and the players executed better. Still room to grow, but that was our most complete game of the season.
QB: Howell is improving. He did exactly what I hoped and connected with McClaurin more often- even sprinkling in a few slants like I asked. He had a few long throws that we didn't connect on so that's the next step I'm looking for in his development- along with the obvious getting the ball out faster.
RB: With limited run blocking, they played well. Both had runs dragging defenders- Gibson dragging them 8 yards on one run. BRob's hands make him a weapon even when our run blocking is trash. The screen game schemed up by EB has been excellent. The goal line pass to Gibson showed great rhythm in our play calling.
WR: With a talented bunch, there's only so many opportunities to go around. Brown and Dotson have to get better at capitalizing on their chances. Samuel has made a play whenever we give him the chance. McClaurin is a baller obviously. Keep feeding him.
OL: We still need a new one.
OC: The execution of the 4 minute offense needs work. We didn't run out the clock well, but our OL socks at run blocking most snaps so I give some grace. The first 3 quarters were beautifully called. We kept ATL off balance. We used motion and shifts to confuse the defense as well as expose coverages to Howell. The goal line call to Gibson, again, was a rhythm call. The goal line pass to scheme Samuel that wide open was amazing. The TD screen to Robinson was a similar action to Samuel's toss pass in the red zone earlier in the game. I could shed a tear because this is what we never got with Turner. Fans need to go back and watch what EB was doing those first 3 quarters. I get it, we didn't score 40, but 24 in 3 quarters is trending better than we have in years.
DL: They won the game. Go back and watch. They won the game. Chase was throwing blockers on the ground and stepping over them. He was also getting pressure the majority of snaps. He was also setting the edge. He used the bull rush to collapse the pocket and force Ridder into bad throws. Finish more often, Chase, but I like what I see. It reminds me of Sweats progression from getting close to finishing more plays. Sweat, while he played, was the usual menace. He set the edge better than I've ever seen him do. Falcons repeatedly had to cut back inside on edge runs. That's when they ran into our monsters. One snap, Payne beat his OL, destroyed the pulling FB, and slammed the RB down for a loss of yards. That's Payne. Allen? He was mauling people. ATL's RBs Algier and Robinson are glad they don't have to see #93 every week. Rewatching and seeing Allen manhandle people was fun. Toohill played disciplined and was rewarded. He set the edge like our other players and that led to sacks.
LB: Barton hit someone downhill! He played better. Still had a few laughable reps, but he played better. Jamin is taking a big step. He is flying around right now. It's taking people a while to see it, but he has grown a lot. Jamin has played MLB and WLB for us in his career, but this game he played more SLB than I've ever seen. We actually ran 3-4, 5-2, AND 4-3 this week. That brought in Khaleke Hudson as the WLB and the kid played with fire. He was clearly ready to get his chance, and he should get more.
DB: They still look lost often and still give up too many yards, but when you force turnovers, all is forgiven. Fuller and St. Juste definitely needed INTs to make up for their play. Martin looked good in his limited snaps. Kam Curl is the leader of the back 7.
Overall this was another Rollercoaster swing game where somehow we look completely different than the week before. I agree with those who say this team is up and down, and can't really be predicted.
Our real record:
DL 3 - 3 OL
I disagreed with trading Trent Williams for a 3rd round pick. The fire sale attitudes get abused by more composed FOs like SF did there.
