FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — As the Atlanta Falcons prepare for their Week 9 game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, there's an obvious soft spot on the otherwise strong defense.
Compared to the rest of the NFL, the Falcons are No. 1 in pass defense, allowing an average of 149.1 yards per game, and No. 2 in total defense, allowing an average of 275.6 total yards per game.
At the same time, though, the Falcons rank 22nd in run defense, giving up an average of 126.4 rushing yards per game.
"We've got to play the run better, and I think everybody knows that," Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. "I know I made that comment last week as well."
He did.
Then, the Miami Dolphins ran for 141 yards in their Week 8 win against the Falcons. Running back De'Von Achane was responsible for a team-high 67 rushing yards. This came after the Falcons lost to the San Francisco 49ers in a Week 7 game that saw running back Christian McCaffrey tally 129 of his team's 174 rushing yards.
"I'll say this, we did play the traditional runs and the traditional run of windows better than we had in San Francisco," Ulbrich said. "So, we fixed some of the problems regarding the big-boy runs, the gap schemes, the two-back stuff. Really, where we were hurt the most in the run game was the non-traditional run windows and the non-traditional runs. I've got to do a better job of maybe playing a little bit safer in those windows, a little bit more run-sound defense as opposed to trying to steal a third-down rep, because that's the way we're being attacked right now."
The Falcons are 15th in preventing third-down conversion. Opponents have converted just 39.3% of their third downs.
A key absence for the Falcons in run defense is that of inside linebacker Divine Deablo, who was a huge asset literally and figuratively in the middle of the defense. He left the 49ers game early in the second quarter with a fractured forearm. The Falcons placed him on injured reserve the following week. The Dolphins game was the Falcons' first full game without him.
JD Bertrand filled in Deablo's starting spot alongside Kaden Elliss in both instances. Ronnie Harrison was added into the mix, too, against the Dolphins. Ulbrich said the Falcons' plan was to use a by-committee approach, and head coach Raheem Morris said that "didn’t come to life like he wanted." Ulbrich indicated the defense will try that again in New England.
"Divine is a hard guy to replace, just because his skill set is so unique," Ulbrich said. "His athleticism is so unique, and the way we used him was so unique."
The Falcons were also without defensive lineman Zach Harrison, edge setter Jalon Walker and nickel Billy Bowman Jr., all individuals who have played — and should continue to play — a role in run stopping for this defense when healthy.
The Patriots' No. 18 rushing offense, which has averaged 112.6 yards per game, is powered by running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Stevenson has averaged 34.9 rushing yards per game, while Henderson has averaged 28.5 yards per game. They've combined for four rushing touchdowns.
The offense is also heavily powered by quarterback Drake Maye, who – among his position group – has averaged a fourth-best 31.3 rushing yards per game in addition to his fifth-best 253.3 passing yards per game. He has run for two touchdowns and thrown another 15. He has managed all that amid being sacked a second-worst 28 times.
"We're going to have to play our most physical game," Ulbrich said. "The most physical team will win this battle, especially up front."
