The Atlanta Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, dropping to 4-8 on the season. Defensively, the Falcons struggled to get off the field on third down. The Saints converted eight third-down attempts, which was arguably the difference in Sunday’s game.
Brian Baldinger of NFL.com broke down a Saints conversion on third and 17 at the start of the second quarter. At the time, the Saints held a 7-3 lead, with the ball on Atlanta’s 41-yard line.
Baldinger noted the massive gap in the Falcons’ defense that left 10 yards open between the first and second level. This allowed New Orleans to have plenty of room to complete an easy check down and get into field-goal range. With the defense playing that far back to guard the sticks, the corners should not have went into a back pedal, as Baldinger notes in his breakdown video below.
.@saints v @AtlantaFalcons I would fight my DC on this call on 3-17. I don’t like anything about it and obviously the result is the worst result! But how is this coached? Make the #Saints earn this. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/CKWTU5FcjN
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 8, 2020
While the conversion had no effect on the outcome of the game due to Saints kicker Will Lutz missing the kick, it’s concerning to see the defense fail to execute just one week after their best performance of the season.
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