FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — How things can change in as little as seven days.
Hand-wringing about a performance in the season opener that featured only one sack and some self-inflicted miscues have given way to optimistic confidence after the Atlanta Falcons quieted the howling crowd in Minnesota and rolled over the Vikings.
In light of the impressive showing, today's questions gave me the chance to focus on some cool things I've noticed these first two games. If you missed our mailbag earlier in the week when Tori McElhaney shared her thoughts, you can read it here.
If you would like to submit questions for a future mailbag, use this link.
Bryan S. from Asheville, N.C.
"The running attack has been good over the last two games, especially Bijan Robinson. In terms of design, why don't the Falcons ever have both Tyler Allgeier and Bijan on the field at the same time? At the very least, it seems this approach would make it hard for defenses to lock in on just one back every play."
Thanks for writing in, Bryan, I thought the run game looked much better against the Vikings and should hopefully remain that way moving forward. I like where your head is at with this question, and I have some good news: The Falcons are right there with you!
It can be easy to overlook — which is part of the reason I watch the games multiple times — but Robinson and Allgeier have shared the field six times so far this year. Now, that may not sound like much, but they only broke the huddle together 33 times in 2024. So, they are already one-fifth of the way to reaching that total with 15 games to go!
As for the specifics of how they've fared with those two players on the field together, the results have been mixed. Going back to watch those six plays, I really like the way they are pairing Allgeier and Robinson between the lines. On five of the six plays, Robinson is lined out wide; on one goal-line play he's in the backfield in a flexbone look. On five of the six plays, Allgeier is the player lined up behind Michael Penix Jr.; he lined up out wide on the Falcons' first offensive snap of the season.
Your thinking that this approach would keep defenders from keying on only one Atlanta back is spot on, and likely the reason the Falcons have deployed it. I wanted to spotlight one play in particular the illustrates this.
It occurred with a little more than 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter of the Falcons' season opener. Robinson started lined up as the outside receiver in a trips look that involved an in-line tight end.
He then motioned back across the formation as though he were going to run a fly motion before the snap.
As Robinson crossed Penix's face, however, he pivoted and briefly appeared to settle in the backfield. That momentary pause resulted in the slightest adjustment back towards the right side of Atlanta's offense by Tampa Bay's linebackers, who now had to adjust to a new frontside run strength.
In that moment, Robinson quickly slides a couple of steps to his right and Penix snapped the ball. As you can see from the final image below, at least three second-level defenders are focused on Allgeier in this moment while Robinson prepared to catch the ball in space with only a corner ahead of him.
It's not the same play Robinson scored his 50-yard touchdown on, but the Falcons are trying to engineer the same type of running room for their star running back. The result is 6 yards, thanks to a good tackle by Zyon McCollum, but it's exactly the kind of design you'd want to see from this offense.
I'd expect this approach will be matchup-oriented, but using creative looks like this sparingly is also highly effective because a defense must still spend precious time during the week preparing for it, but they'll have less tape to work with.
Keanon H. from Fairbanks, Alaska
"Is it just me or does Brandon Dorlus look like the second coming of Grady (Jarrett)? He has consistently been in the backfield the first two games! I just wanted to give him some love here because I don't hear too many people talking about how well he is playing!"
Let's give Dorlus all of the love, Keanon. He's absolutely balling out in his second season so far, and his presence has certainly helped the Falcons move forward without Grady Jarrett.
His 1.5 sacks made for a great introduction to the fanbase and the NFL community writ large, and Dorlus is perfectly built to play in Atlanta's versatile, attack-oriented setup. The length and power he possesses allow him to play anywhere from a 1-technique to a 5-technique on the Falcons' front, and he could probably play nose tackle or wide end if needed in a pinch. The defensive line's production Monday night was a great example of how utilizing multi-faceted players in a tight rotation can lead to big results.
Let's hope we see a lot more of it!
Bruce H from Rochester, N.Y.
"I would like to see a little more play action from under center. Do you think that would help with our red zone woes?"
I do think there are some ways in which play-action from under can help in the red zone, Bruce. Specifically, pairing a stretch-zone design with a bootleg rollout would be my preference. I say that because the Falcons' red zone misfires have occurred closer to the goal line than they have the 30-yard line.
In that area, the vertical aspect of the field is taken away. Offenses are often left deciding between stretching a defense horizontally, which is what I proposed above, or beating it with spacing routes, rub routes or jump balls. We're only two games into the season, so I have no doubt Atlanta's offense is still growing and evolving, and each matchup will involve a unique game plan.
I've seen a lot from the fan base about the pistol offense, which is something I plan to dig a bit more into soon, and it appears to be a preference of both Michael Penix Jr. and Zac Robinson thus far. Part of the reason for that, from my understanding, is that it still creates a downhill play-action fake while also allowing Penix to get eyes on the defense and reach the top of his drop faster.
With someone who scans the field as quickly and releases the ball as rapidly as Penix, I don't think that's a bad approach, even if it's a novel one here in Atlanta.
Relive the Week 2 Sunday Night Football matchup vs the Vikings where Falcons rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. recorded their first career sacks, and Billy Bowman Jr. and Xavier Watts got their first career interceptions.
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 and edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 celebrate during the first quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brad Rempel/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 makes his first career sack during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 celebrates after a sack during the first half of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 celebrates after a sack during the first half of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 makes his first career sack during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris reacts after Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 makes his first career sack during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
The sideline reacts after Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 makes his first career sack during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 reacts after a sack during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 reacts after his first career sack during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 reacts after a sack during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 reacts after his first career sack during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 and defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 celebrate after a sack during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brad Rempel/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 and defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 react after a sack during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 and defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 react after a sack during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 reacts after a sack during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 reacts after a sack during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker #11 reacts after his first career sack during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 makes a tackle during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 looks on during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 reacts after an interception during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brad Rempel/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 reacts after an interception during the second quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brad Rempel/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. #33 intercepts the ball during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. #27 during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 first career interception during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brad Rempel/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 first career interception during the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts #31 celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter of the Week 2 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
