Tyler Shough has only seen action twice in the NFL, but already he’s giving New Orleans Saints fans a glimpse of hope for the future.
This isn’t about the playoffs this season, but rather the long-term future of the team. It only takes one strong performance to make a real difference, and Shough played well enough in the Saints’ recent matchup against the Carolina Panthers to spark the question: “Is he the right guy?” rather than “Who will the Saints draft next?”
With the season slipping away, following Shough’s progress for the remainder of the year has become a crucial discussion point. If he proves to be the answer, the Saints could build their team around him, using a high draft pick as a weapon—or even trading down to accumulate more picks and strengthen the roster further.
It’s been a tough season, but the week following the Week 10 game has been the most positive stretch for the team so far. The potential of Shough’s performance could be the turning point for New Orleans as they evaluate their future direction.
The Atlanta Falcons have mastered the art of playing well in most aspects of a game, only to be let down by the complete failure of another phase.
Take Week 9’s loss to the New England Patriots, for example. Teams that were +2 on turnovers and +5 on sacks were 64-0 in the last 10 years, until the Falcons lost 24-23.
Atlanta held the Indianapolis Colts to 1 for 11 on third downs through 60 minutes and 2 for 12 through regulation and overtime, and still lost.
The culprit the last few weeks has been Atlanta’s own woeful performance on third down. The Falcons didn’t convert any of their eight third-down attempts on Sunday against the Colts, and they are 3 for 29 in their last three games… all losses.
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For perspective, 3 for 29 is a 10.3% conversion rate. The Tennessee Titans are the worst 3rd-down team in the NFL, at nearly triple that rate at 28.4%.
When offensive coordinator Zac Robinson stepped up to the microphone this week, third downs were a hot topic.
“Yeah, I think as you look at the entirety of the last couple weeks, each third down has its own story,” Robinson said this week. “You’re looking for common themes. Each are different plays, different coverages. We’ve definitely got to clean that up. We’ve definitely got to execute when we have chances too. We’ve got to make sure we have the right answers for the guys, as coaches, all those things.”
Robinson delved into his habit of blaming busted assignments for many of the Falcons’ problems.
“We’ve got to communicate,” Robinson said. “The first third down, we get into a check and one of the guys doesn’t get it, and so, it results in a strip sack. So, we’ve got to get that stuff off the tape for sure.
Teams have also been leaning into the Miami Dolphins’ defensive plan against the Falcons of selling out on first and second down to stop Bijan Robinson. Stop Bijan, stop the Falcons.
“We also can do a better job avoiding third-and-longs,” Robinson said. “We’ve been the first five weeks, I think we were the lowest in the league in terms of the amount of third-and-longs. We were pretty efficient on third downs. Now the last five weeks, we’ve been in way too many third-and-long situations, which are going to be difficult. But, that can help with early down efficiency.
“All those things factor into it from first, second down to third down. We get those chances no matter what the D&D (Down and Distance) is on third down, we’ve got to find a way. We’re putting, obviously, a big emphasis on it with the pass protection and routes and just connecting on things. Like I said, as coaches, just making sure we’ve got the right answers for the guys.”
The Falcons have had injuries on the offensive line and have played with third-string tackle Eli Wilkinson all season, and third-string left guard Kyle Hinton was forced into action against the Colts. The new players are handicapped by what has been deemed a predictable offense from Robinson. Bijan, Bijan, incomplete, punt.
“We’ll work any of the things that have shown up on tape that we’ve had difficulty picking up from a line-game standpoint, making sure we’re all clean with some of the pass ops up front,” Robinson said. “But we look at all of it. We look at route detail. We look at what’s going on up front. All those things that are playing a factor into it.”
The Falcons kick off on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers (5-5) at 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta was embarrassed by the Panthers in Charlotte and will need to put together a complete game if they’re going to save face against an improved Panthers team.
The Falcons held the Panthers to 224 yards of total offense, yet were let down by their offense and special teams in the 30-0 blowout in Week 3.
Less predictability on first and second down, should lead to shorter third-down attempts. If the Falcons can’t improve on their 10% rate from the last three weeks, it could be another embarrassing afternoon against the Panthers.