The Atlanta Falcons have been far from perfect through the first seven weeks of the 2024 NFL season, but it’s tough to complain with the team sitting atop the NFC South with a 4-3 record.
While the offensive and defensive units have played well at times, the pass rush has been a glaring weakness thus far. The Falcons are ranked dead last in the league with six total sacks this season.
Sacks aren’t everything, but considering 27 teams have at least twice as many as Atlanta, it’s clearly a problem. The Falcons did little to address the edge position over the offseason, letting 2023 sack leaders Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell sign elsewhere.
After third-round pick Bralen Trice was placed on the injured reserve list, the team swung a trade for outside linebacker Matthew Judon. The former Patriot has been one of the most productive edge rushers in the NFL over the last three seasons.
While Judon is tied for the team lead with 1.5 sacks, he’s not happy with how he’s played during his first seven games in Atlanta. Judon was asked to grade his performance so far and did not hold back.
“I’d say a D,” Judon told The Athletic’s Josh Kendall. “I’ve just got to play better, more production, better numbers, better pressure rate, get the quarterback down more. That’s what I came here for.”
Matthew Judon on the start to his season: "I’d say a D. I’ve just got to play better, more production, better numbers, better pressure rate, get the quarterback down more. That’s what I came here for."
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) October 24, 2024
It’s definitely a drop in production for Judon, who racked up 32 sacks in 38 career games with the Patriots. The team’s pass-rushing problems are something head coach Raheem Morris is aware of.
“You gotta finish the plays off, right?” asked Morris. “You wanna have more, and we’ve got to play individually better, but we are rushing as a group better. Like the hurries, the pressures, the things of that nature, they’re going up. They’re on the uptick, but the only way you can end that question is if you go finish off sacks.”
The Falcons will look to get their pass rush on track this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sunday’s NFC South showdown kicks off at 1 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.
