After a slow start, the Atlanta Falcons squeeze the air out of the football and leave the Carolina Panthers in shambles en route to a 3-0 start in the division. Life is good in the 404 and the team continues to see improvement every week.

Nothing is ever perfect, and the Falcons still have some defensive issues to clean up, but this team is playing winning football right now. Here is week 6, three up and three down.

Three up

Tyler Allgeier

The Falcons finally got the ball on the ground, and so did Allgeier All gears yesterday afternoon. No play defines the running back more than his 18-yard scrum and run, blasting through every defender on the field. Allgeier posted his first 100-yard rushing game since his rookie season, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. The Falcons used Allgeier all game, but released him as closer after Bijan Robinson wore down the defense.

This game is exactly how many imagined the duo would be used. Kirk Cousins ​​was able to step back and let others shine during Kirktober. If the Falcons can use Allgeier like this for the rest of the season, the defense will have a headache trying to stop this offense.

Clark Phillips III

Phillips had one of the most unselfish plays you will ever see from a corner, and that play alone was enough to get him on this list. The second-year Utah product sealed the game with an interception, and when he had the opportunity to put six on the board, he prioritized the team’s goals over his own. That’s the epitome of winning football, and you don’t have to hire Bill Belichick to bring that kind of culture into the locker room.

Phillips did give up a touchdown in the corner of the end zone after mistimed his jump by a tenth of a second, but the corner was around the football the entire game and made a handful of key plays. Jimmy Lake will have to find a way to get the young corner on the field more because his game demands it.

Bijan Robinson

Show some respect for the name of the eighth overall pick. Bijan Robinson exploded last night for the first time in his career with two rushing touchdowns. He led the backfield with 6.33 yards per carry, finishing with 95 rushing yards and another 10 in the passing game, totaling over 100 for the day. Bijan ran over and around defenders. The running back seemed to be a hair quicker and quicker with his decision-making than in recent weeks. Robinson didn’t get the lion’s share of inside runs as I requested, but of the three he did get, he averaged 8.67 yards per carry for 26 yards and broke one for 15.

With Zac Robinson implementing more inside zone yesterday, it’s a hopeful sign that the offense will become more balanced on the ground, which will benefit everyone. The defense must now choose their poison when they face Atlanta, and the various offenses that have been preached all offseason are starting to come together.

Three down

Jimmy More

Someone has to be the face of the defensive woes, and the first-year defensive coordinator gets that honor this week. Nate Landman’s return provided little to no boost, and that’s because the problems start against the run up front. The defensive line just isn’t getting it done, and while we’ve seen depth players play and adjust their snaps, it’s time to have those conversations about Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata.

The defensive coordinator hasn’t made many adjustments week-to-week, and while the team has looked better in the second half of games, that’s mostly due to the guys’ execution and stepping up, rather than strategic game planning. The Falcons have practically been living in nickel, running a Dan Quinn-level cover 3. Lake seems content with teams underneath being able to take what they want, and sure, the Falcons haven’t given up on a big play, but why would an offense attack deep when they can get what they want elsewhere?

We haven’t even gotten to the pass rush yet, but I can’t fault him for the players he’s gotten to make that work. Lake is the only guy in the building outside of Raheem Morris who can make meaningful changes to this defensive strategy, and if the Falcons want to be a threat in the winter months, he’s going to have to come up with something.

Matthew Judon

The red sleeves aren’t catching on and the big acquisition of Atlanta hasn’t produced a sack since Week 2. The storyline that the team cannot escape will not be rewritten this year. Judon never had a great success rate, but excelled in effort sacks and coverage sacks. Unfortunately, he no longer completes those plays as he once did in his youth. He also doesn’t come home with the designed stunts or blitzes.

There were many times yesterday when it felt like Dalton had to throw all day, and Judon and Co. couldn’t do anything about it. Keep in mind that Carolina was at center, guarding and tackling. The edge player has gotten more attention at times, but teams are finding success with him, which also keeps him one-on-one. Judon got off to a good start, but if he wants a modest deal here or elsewhere after 2024, he will have to switch gears quickly.

Hurricane season

On a serious note, I want to wish all our readers the best. I hope you all have your power restored if you lost it, and I hope you and your family are being taken care of after the hellish weather this past week. You can find a link to the official government website here for information about Milton and resources if you need them. I wish I could do more, but I hope this helps in some small way. This community is special, and you are all part of it.

Three straight wins, undefeated in the division and the NFC. Enjoy this moment, Falcons fans. This is the best start since 2016 and your team is only getting better every week.