3 up and 3 down, the Falcons backfield steals the show

After a slow start, the Atlanta Falcons are squeezing the air out of football and leaving the Carolina Panthers in tatters en route to a 3-0 start to the division. Life is good at the 404 and the team continues to see improvements every week.

Nothing is ever perfect and the Falcons still have some defensive issues to work out, but this team is playing winning football right now. Here is week 6, three ups and three downs.

Three up

Tyler Allgeier

The Falcons finally got the ball on the ground and Allgeier made it All gears yesterday afternoon. No play defines the running back more than his 18-yard scrum-and-run, where he drills 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 a closer after Bijan Robinson wore down the defense.

This game is exactly what many imagined the duo would be like. Kirk Cousins ​​was able to take a step back at Kirktober and let others shine. If the Falcons can use Allgeier in this manner for the rest of the season, defenses will have difficulty stopping this offense.

Clark Phillips III

Phillips had one of the most selfless corner plays ever seen, and that play alone was enough to put him on this list. The second-year Utah player sealed the game with an interception, and when given the opportunity to score six, 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 to the locker room.

Phillips did allow a touchdown in the corner of the end zone after missing his jumper by a tenth of a second, but the corner was in the game the entire game and made a handful of key plays. Jimmy Lake needs to find a way to get the young corner on the field more often because his game requires it.

Bijan Robinson

Give the name of the eighth overall pick some respect. Bijan Robinson threw two rushing touchdowns for the first time in his career last night. He led the backfield with 6.33 yards per carry and finished the game with 95 rushing yards and another 10 in the passing game, giving him over 100 total yards on the day. Bijan ran over and around the defenders. It seemed like the running back was making his decisions a hair faster than he had in recent weeks. Robinson didn't get the lion's share of inside runs like I would have liked, but on the three runs he did get, he averaged 8.67 yards per carry for 26 yards and one break for 15 yards.

The fact that Zac Robinson played more inside yesterday is a hopeful sign that the offense will be more balanced on the ground, which will benefit everyone. Against Atlanta, defenses will now have to pick their poison, and the diverse offenses that have been preached all offseason are starting to come together.

Three down

Jimmy Lake

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

The defensive coordinator hasn't made many adjustments each week, and while the team looks better in the second half of games, that's mostly due to execution and guys' reinforcements, not strategic game planning. The Falcons have practically lived in nickel, running at a Dan Quinn level in coverage 3. Lake seems content to allow teams to take what they want, and of course the Falcons didn't give up a big game, but why would an offense try to attack deep when they can impose what they want elsewhere?

We haven't even gotten to the pass rush yet, but I can't fault him for the players he was given to make that happen. Lake is the only guy in the building other than Raheem Morris who can meaningfully change 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 hitting the mark and Atlanta's big edge acquisition hasn't given up a sack since Week 2. The history that the team cannot escape will not be rewritten this year. Judon has never had a high pass rush win rate, but excelled in effort sacks and coverage sacks. Unfortunately, he just doesn't finish these pieces like he did in his youth. Even with the planned stunts or lightning attacks, he doesn't achieve his goal.

Yesterday, it often felt like Dalton had all day to throw, and Judon and Co. couldn't do anything about it. Remember, Carolina was a center, guard and tackle. The top player has attracted more attention at times, but teams are having success with him and leaving him behind even in one-on-one situations. Judon got off to a good start, but if he wants a modest deal here or elsewhere after 2024, he'll need to shift gears soon.

Hurricane season

Seriously, I would like to wish all our readers well. I hope you all have power back if you lost it, and I hope you and your family are doing well after the last week of hellish weather. Here is a link to the official government website with information about Milton and resources should you need them. I wish I could do more, but I hope this helps a little. This community is special and you are all a part of it.

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