Falcons run defense needs to get back on track

Since the Mike Smith era began in Atlanta in 2008 the Falcons have had one of the best run defenses in the league. This comes as no surprise as Smith is clearly using the same philosophy he did while he was the defensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who had a very stout run defense as well. Over the past three games however the run defense has gotten off track. If first started in Houston when the Falcons allowed Arian Foster to rush for over 100 yards and that was their first time allowing a 100 yard rusher since the middle of last season. Then the next game they played Carolina and it was the same result as Deangelo Williams had a big game rushing the ball which included a 74-yard rushing touchdown. The Falcons last game against the Jaguars even though it was a rout Maurice Jones-Drew was still able to rush for 112 yards on only 17 carries and that will not get it done.

> Find Atlanta Falcons jerseys & hats online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!

Mike Smith has won a Super Bowl and he knows that when it comes playoff time if a team is able to run the ball against you then you will have problems. The Falcons already had their fair share of problems as far as pass defense and now with their run defense also suffering it doesn’t spell well for the Falcons especially this late in the season. I will give credit however the Falcons pass defense has been much better and that has been a large part due to the fact that they are now getting a consistent pass rush, but if the Falcons want to win a championship they need to be clicking on all facets of the game that means playing good run and pass defense at the same time.

In their remaining two games the Falcons play the Saints and the Buccaneers. The Saints have plenty of depth at the tailback position which will provide a good test for the Falcons and then the Buccaneers like to run the ball with LeGarrette Blount. The Falcons definitely need to use these last two games to get their stout run defense back, because come playoff time there will not be another game to improve. For the Falcons the time for it to happen is right now.

By: Steven Virden
ProFootball-fans.com Atlanta Falcons Correspondent