Falcons hitting offensive stride by focusing on photography

Only four times in the prior 43 seasons (1981-2023) have the Falcons opened a season 7-3 or better. They started 8-2 with Michael Vick in 2004 and Matt Ryan in 2010. Ryan led them to 9-1 in 2012 and so did Chris Chandler, on the way to a Super Bowl berth, in 1998.

Kirk Cousins, who threw for three touchdowns last week in a 27-21 win, can fly them into that rare air on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, FOX) when the Falcons (6-3) visit New Orleans (2-7). Atlanta opened 1-2 but since has won five of its last six. Over that stretch that begin in Week 4, coordinator Zac Robinson’s passing offense (269.7 net yards per game) ranks third in the NFL. They’ve done it with photography, and they’re using a high-speed lens.

“You’ve got 15 seconds to talk from the quarterback mic, from Zac to Kirk,” head coach Raheem Morris said Monday. “Sometimes you take pictures of the defense, and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you get up there and you’re able to go quick. Sometimes you have to change tempo. So, I think we change tempo so much, whether it’s on the ball, going fast on the ball, taking pictures on the ball, doing whatever you want to do, getting in the huddle.”

Morris explained that Cousins, who won a pair of NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards in October and ranks third in the NFL with 1,702 passing yards since Week 4, has mastered Atlanta’s offensive rhythm. And part of that cadence is the offensive linemen hustling to the line.

“That’s something that we practice,” Morris explained. “So, it’s something that we work on constantly. I think if you try to throw it on somebody without knowing what’s going on, I’m sure that’s a factor.

“Looking at the defense, what they’re doing, you line up fast and then what are you going to do on defense? You’ve got to get lined up. What’s that look like? You know, take a picture.”

Atlanta’s defense has been far from picture perfect this season, especially its pass rush. In the Falcons’ win over Dallas last week, Grady Jarrett, Kaden Eliliss and Arnold Ebiketie each recorded sacks – matching the combined total (three) the Falcons had over their previous six games. With an NFL-low nine sacks this year, Atlanta enters Week 10 as the only team yet to hit double figures in that category.

In theory, Atlanta should be able to get back on track this week against a Saints offense that has allowed 17 sacks over its last four games and at least one in every game this year.

Atlanta (4-0 in the NFC South) also owns the NFL’s best record within a division. With a win on Sunday combined with a loss by Tampa Bay (4-5) to Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers (4-4), the Falcons would open a gaping three-game lead and be in position to clinch the division in early December.

For more Falcons information, visit the Atlanta team page on ProFootballPost.com.