Atlanta Falcons: 3 X-Factors for Week 4 vs. Packers
3. Falcons defense limiting Packers offense
The first thing Atlanta will have to try and accomplish early and often against Green Bay in Week 4 is trying to limit the Packers offense as much as possible to allow the Falcons offense to be able to jump out to a lead like we’ve seen them do in the last two games.
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Unfortunately for Atlanta, that won’t be an easy task while going up against arguably the best offenses — or at least one of the highest-scoring offenses — in the NFL through three weeks of action.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing incredibly well through three games and has led this Packers offense into establishing one of the top offenses in the league. The mix of a solid running game paired with Rodgers’ ability to take things over with his arm makes this offense really tough to stop and limit.
Through three weeks, the Packers rank sixth in the NFL in total passing yards (887), while ranking tied for fourth in yards per pass attempt (8.4) and tied for third in passing touchdowns (nine). They are also one of four teams in the league yet to throw an interception.
On the other side of the ball, the Falcons defense hasn’t necessarily been able to slow any opposing offenses down so far in 2020. Atlanta is statistically one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL through three weeks. The Falcons have given up a total of 1,051 yards through the air (second-worst behind only Seattle with 1,292), while allowing opposing offenses to convert on 69.6 percent of their pass attempts (ninth-worst in NFL) with nine passing touchdowns (tied with Dallas for most).
This biggest thing to keep an eye on is if Atlanta will be able to get a few key stops on defense to allow the Falcons offense to take advantage of those opportunities and grab a lead.