After a much-needed victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, the Pittsburgh Steelers now head into Week 13 with another formidable opponent staring them down like a gauntlet. The Atlanta Falcons, 5-7 and in 2nd place of the NFC South, are next on the agenda. Briefly over viewing the Dirty Birds, they favor more towards a stronger rushing attack (1920 Total Rushing Yards - 2nd Best in NFL, 4.9 YPC-5th Best in NFL, 106 Rushing First Downs-4th Best in NFL). They will be without star tight end Kyle Pitts, who was most recently placed on IR.
Pittsburgh Steelers huddle vs. Indianapolis Colts. Photo Credit - Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Although they've thrown for slightly more touchdowns than rushed (14 Passing: 19th Best in NFL, 12 Rushing: 7th Best in NFL), the ratio is about even. Don't look now, but the Falcons can rip off 20+ and 40+ yards with relative ease (Both 4th Best in NFL respectively). Not forgetting to mention, if this weren't any more indicator that they are a run-oriented team, Atlanta also ranks 2nd in the NFL under rushing attempts (390). What's strange, for as good as they're at running the ball, they also are weak against stopping the run (1530 Rushing Yards: 9th Worst in NFL, 15 Touchdowns: 4th Worst in NFL, 97 First Downs: 4th Worst in NFL).
With that being said, let's look at four players who should be of great interest going into Sunday.
1. Running Back, Tyler Allgeier
Albany Herald
If there's one player Atlanta hit on in the later rounds of the NFL Draft, it was finding a potential long-term solution at the running back position. The 5th Rounder from BYU, Allgeier has amassed 4.6 Yards Per Carry, 552 Rushing Yards, and 1 Touchdown on the ground through 11 games. Through the air, he has 87 Receiving Yards and 1 Touchdown. In his last 5 games, Allgeier has averaged 5.4 Yards, Per Carry and accumulated 267 Rushing Yards. He has also, as of this writing, placed himself within the top 31 highest rushing totals amongst all offensive players and top 27 amongst all running backs.
Per NFL.com's Lance Zuerlein, Allgeier is a:
"Well-built, highly productive zone-scheme runner with impressive vision and feel for the job. Allgeier is smooth and instinctive with one-cut talent. He effectively navigates the ebbs and flows of run lane development. He's more agile than twitchy and relies on his ability to quickly process. While he sees it clearly, his pace and burst can be a little hit-or-miss and might allow for NFL defenses to prevent the chunk play. Allgeier is clearly talented as a runner but will need to prove his explosiveness. He offers very little third-down value right now and could be tabbed as a solid backup in a move-based rush attack."
This scouting report was nearly spot-on before he was drafted by the Falcons. He found himself in a backup role up until Cordarrelle Patterson's mid-season injury, therein shelving him on IR for several weeks.
2. Linebacker, Rashaan Evans
Henry Herald
This was a linebacking prospect the Steelers had an interest in drafting in 2018, let alone being on their radar. Originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans, Evans would wound up in Atlanta and then become an integral part of their defense. Stat-wise, he has put together a very nice season thus far through 12 games. 119 Total Tackles, 1 Sack, 5 Tackles For Loss, 4 Passes Defended 1 Forced Fumble, and 2 Forced Fumbles. Evans leads the team in Solo Tackles (67), Assisted Tackles (52), and Total Tackles.
Lance Zuerlein had this to say:
"Built like a new breed of NFL linebackers. Possesses good length and great speed. Premium athlete with plus agility, range, and explosiveness. Quick to diagnose. Able to pace to the perimeter with the jet sweepers and scat-back. Is patient against misdirection and isn't easily baited out of position. Explosive, wrap-up striker who sees what he hits. Sub-package rusher with an upfield burst to threaten the edge. Can unleash an impressive spin counter in either direction. Burst as a delayed Blitzer from the inside linebacker spot is too much for most linemen to catch."
Overall, Evans is a tackling machine who is actively involved in every play, just like Myles Jack.
3. Defensive End, Grady Jarrett
Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) reacts with New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) (not shown) on the field after the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Arguably Atlanta's best overall player defensively, Jarrett has been nothing but solid since 2015, the first season of his career out of Clemson as a 5th Round Pick. He's steadily grown and evolved each year with his stat lines also taking off and earning him a major pay raise in a 2nd contract. 44 Total Tackles, 5.5 Sacks, 3 Passes Defended, and 4.5 Stuffs. Jarrett is known for his availability and rarely missing a game throughout his 8-year career (3 Max).
"Jarrett is built like a refrigerator, but he's hardly a stationary player. He lacks the overall size to be considered as a nose by most base 3-4 teams, but he's a perfect shade-nose fit for teams looking for a disruptor in a one-gap, penetrating front. Plays to the whistle and will chase plays to the sideline. Outstanding at timing snaps and getting into lineman first. His natural power and leverage are a nightmare for centers and taller guards. Protects himself against cut blocks and shows plus ball awareness. Able to elude guards in tight spaces and get into the backfield."
I think Zuerlein summed it up best, and it's clear to see why Jarrett has been one of the longest-tenured Falcons since 2015 and the most respected defensive lineman due to how reliably consistent he is.
4. Cornerback, A.J. Terrell
Sports Illustrated
Highly regarded as one of the best, if not better cornerbacks in the NFL, Terrell has made a name for himself amongst a group that is historically in recently memory short-lived on truly established shutdown corners. Another standout defensive prospect out of Clemson drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft 1st round, he has put up fairly respectable numbers so far through 12 regular season games in 34 Total Tackles, 1 Stuff, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, and 6 Passes Defended. It's quite possible his 2022 stats are down a bit due to a porous Falcons secondary built around him. A good way to analyze Terrell's Corner skill set would be to keep in mind (via Lance Zuerlein):
"Has the ability to grind on receivers from the press, maintains feel in the early stages of the route, and is quick to crowd the receiver, and plays into receivers in tight quarters, disrupting catch timing."
His ascending atop the NFL defensive back hierarchy is something to take note of, because albeit playing for an underwhelming and rebuilding Atlanta franchise, Terrell will undoubtedly be a building block for them moving forward into the near future.
These are four very valuable players to keep an eye on, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on which players you think fans should be closely watching! Comment below.
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