Can Atlanta Falcons' new offensive line additions improve their run game? Week 3 All-22 Review

Atlanta Falcons face many challenges to their ground attack amidst injuries along the offensive line. Host Aaron Freeman reviews the All-22 film from the team's Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs to diagnose why the run game wasn't working. Will the return of guard Elijah Wilkinson and center Matt Hennessy help alleviate depth concerns up front? How long will center Drew Dalman (high-ankle sprain) and right tackle Kaleb McGary (MCL sprain) be out? He breaks down why the play of the wide receivers was problematic for the team's run game against the Chiefs.
Later, he looks at how defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake tried to slow down Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes by mixing up his coverages. He discusses the team's struggles to generate pressure and why Matthew Judon wasn't featured more. He breaks down what went wrong with the run game and whether it's owed to Lake's scheme or questionable play from linebackers like Troy Andersen. Finally, he discusses tight end Kyle Pitts not being featured outside a few plays against the Chiefs, and how and why the Falcons (wrongly) choose to feature wide receivers Ray-Ray McCloud and Darnell Mooney.
#atlantafalcons #kansascitychiefs #all22
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[@MichaelArmenteros]

Before the GRADE 3 achillies tear on his BACK LEG , KOC and finally a decent interior oline had Kirk extending plays and some pocket manipulation as he was throwing receivers open without jefferdon and any kind of a running game. Unfortunately the falcons may not see this version until around Halloween and even mentally....it shows . The oline injuries are really problematic as the NFC south is not the worse division . Carolina even now has a real NFL qb who can things done with his arm & experience. The good news is that this roster is really good and they just need to tread water until end of October and they can be like the packers or rams in 2023. * before deadline, falcons need to go and get one more dude as in edge and whomever said player is ( unless someone steps up who they don't look at that way right now ). It's not how you start the season , it's how you finish . You just got to get a little better each week and you can't be 3-6 otherwise they'll be fine. Zach is a first time play caller. I don't care what tree he's under . So many moving parts - patience . There is a drop down when losing Drew and Mcgary. The last thing this offense needed.

[@michaelk8710]

Well put... I said by week 6 this offense would be humming, they are ahead of track for that, IMO. We need just a few more "gotta have those 4 yards" simple, deceptive guaranteed plays for more 1st downs and tight RZ. Zac will figure out Kirk can be lethal with those simple short yardage plays, but he has to open lanes in the play, and receivers need to be on the right side of the ball, Pitts is slow to get there. Those short yardage plays where the only thing the Chiefs did right, shorts strikes to extend drives, late backfield stragglers wide open running crossfield. The Falcons would not have needed a penalty call to win that game if we had plays like that. Hopefully Zac learns from it. Those short deliberate strikes for 1st downs is why I hate Aaron Rodgers, he's just too good at it, candy from a baby. Could also be that Wildcard playoff game in 2015 (Skins-Packers) where Rodgers literally drove down the field (twice!) from penalties catching our lazy defense running off the field. Infuriating! So many ways to hate that guy. Alas, Kirk is one of the few QBs with a regular season winning record vs Rodgers.

[@michaelk8710]

Honestly, I think Rondale Moore not having a full season with the team really hurts the most. The O'line is what it is, it's next man up in this league. You have to adjust as a play caller to make it work with the time the O'line gives you, Zac needs to be more proactive there, and trust using his new toy for short yardage pass plays when you need it to extend drives.

[@bobbyross2552]

Drake is one of the better blocking wideouts in the league

[@robertblackman7235]

The Falcons need to generate sacks and stop the run

[@thecodingcult]

The truth is Kyle Pitts hasn’t been the same since his injury. He has no agility, which is why he struggles often to create space.

[@Cjhilly]

No agility but out ran Justin Reid? 🤔 whatever u say coach 👌🏾

[@thecodingcult]

@@Cjhilly Kyle Pitts was one of my favorite players coming out of college so I’m not bashing him but you can clearly see the lack of agility or maybe the lack of confidence he has in his body. Just watch him 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Cjhilly]

@@thecodingcult I’ve watched every all22 snap. Kirk has missed him a number of times tbh, but that to be expected considering a new system. Looks more explosive than last year and his blocking has improved a ton. Doesn’t help facing 3 straight really good defenses. He’ll get better as the season goes on

[@michaelk8710]

@@Cjhilly It's not his speed per say, it's overall creating space, whether you know the route and whether you need to be inside or out of a defender. I believe Pitts was supposed to be inside on that TD pass that never was vs Chiefs. That throw is Kirk's instinct, as would a high throw if the receiver was to be on the outside. That pass would have hit Pitts on the # had he fought to the inside, contested or not.

[@buhtsecks1303]

I love Anderson as a player but he is a 4-3 will linebacker. He doesn't fit into this defense.

[@coltonbrostuen730]

I love the guy too but I think you're dead on. He is an athletic freak of nature. He belongs in the NFL but this defense may not be the best fit for him.

[@Thoth973]

The run game will only get worse with the backups playing. These guys are career backups for a reason. McGary has sprained that MCL several times already and he wears a brace. Matt Hennessy is garbage. He was unemployed for a reason.

[@Cambo14]

lol but their not career backups.

[@bobbyross2552]

KC game plan was to stop the run because they seen us use the play action on Philly

[@Cjhilly]

Falcons have faced Heyward, Jalen Carter, and Chris Jones. I would say they’re pretty battle tested on the interior. I think they’ll look better as the season goes on even with the injuries

[@kevindog5080]

Um three down lineman when you only have three it's easier to run this been true about football since high school 😂 😂 And all we had to do to win the football game is kick the Field goal that's it. Must win situation and get sustain and all the seasons pretty much over with it.