Ahead of the Atlanta Falcons’ return to action following their bye week, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris revealed key adjustments the team made to bolster their performance. With a 5-3 record at the time of the break, the Falcons used the week off to address areas that could elevate their defense and help solidify their playoff aspirations.
One major focus, according to Morris, was improving the pass rush. The Falcons have struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, ranking lower in sacks compared to league leaders. Morris emphasized that they had worked on refining their defensive line techniques, focusing on more dynamic stunts, and enhancing communication between the front seven. “We’ve been working on different pass rush schemes to get more consistent pressure on the quarterback. It’s about creating more opportunities and not just relying on individual efforts,” Morris said.
Additionally, the Falcons adjusted their secondary coverage strategies. With young cornerbacks like A.J. Terrell leading the unit, Morris noted that the defense has focused on tightening up coverage and creating more turnovers. “We’ve been putting in more drills to improve our ball skills and tracking the ball in the air,” Morris explained. “Turnovers are a huge part of this league, and we want to capitalize on every opportunity to make a play.”
Morris also mentioned fine-tuning their run defense. The team had allowed more rushing yards than expected earlier in the season, so they reviewed game tape and worked on improving their gap integrity and tackling in the open field.
With these adjustments in place, the Falcons hope to come out of the bye stronger, particularly on defense, as they make a push for the postseason. Morris expressed confidence that the changes would pay off in the second half of the season.