The numbers didn't tell the story

Normally, I like to get put this article together right after the game as quick as possible to let the fans and readers digest the game as quickly as they can. For this particular game, I wanted to go back and look at the tape again. The numbers weren't necessarily lining up with my perception of how the game went. I looked at it, and I rewinded plays back-and-forth, and for this game the numbers are not telling the story.

I know the Falcons lost 37-10 and that usually means you got your rear end kicked. The third down numbers didn't look how they were supposed to look like, both offensively and defensively, but as you dive deeper into it – when you start looking for improvements, you have to ask is the team giving themselves a chance to win the game?

On the defensive side of the football, I would have to say yes. But the score got out of hand because the Falcons offense and special teams didn't uphold their end of the bargain in this game.

When I looked at the defensive tape, and really ran plays back-and-forth – there were a number of hits on the quarterback. Did they sack Goff? No. But we saw Damontae Kazee coming with pressure, linebackers came in, and Ricardo Allen came to put a number of hits on Goff. And I know that the numbers are glaring. Only five sacks registered in seven games played and that is just not good enough. But they affected Goff.

Throughout the game, Goff had to err away from the defender, instead of throwing a lollipop in there to the receiver because the coverage was tighter. That led him to missing some throws. Those moments are there for the Falcons' defense and there is improvement in that area.

Ultimately, Atlanta's defense has to find a way to get off the field on third down and that is not happening at a high enough level. Teams are converting at about 54% on third down and that is not good enough. Atlanta had a number of stops in the red zone as they forced the Rams the kick four field goals.

I feel like when I look at the tape, and I see guys flying around and blitzes coming, and coverage is being played tighter – those things are happening on defense. They just aren't happening enough in this game, to win this game.