Things have not gone well for the Atlanta Falcons this season. They enter Week 5 with an 0-4 record, they have been on the losing end of some horrific blown leads, and head coach Dan Quinn is sitting on the hot seat. But thanks to running back Todd Gurley, they at least have a lead.
For the moment.
The former Los Angeles Rams running back took a handoff from Matt Ryan early in the first quarter and made the most of the chance:
TODD GURLEY TO THE HOUSE! @TG3II
📺: #CARvsATL on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/BGCKhfX8uY pic.twitter.com/2DKxbxFHL5— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2020
This is a well-blocked play by the Atlanta offensive line on this 3rd and 3 running play. The Carolina Panthers show blitz, but they only have one defender accounting for the A-Gaps pre-snap: rookie Jeremy Chinn. Chinn is listed as a linebacker, but spent his college days playing safety. On this play, Gurley hits the left A-Gap and the blocking sets up perfectly. What pulls another defender out of the play, safety Juston Burris who begins the down in the box, is the blocking design. When the tight end executes a slice block across the formation, Burris, who is responsible for him in man coverage, tracks across the formation with him, taking him out of the play.
A great design and good execution leads to an early Falcons’ lead. Unfortunately, that has not ended well from them in 2020.