Matchups Favoring Falcons Over Bears

The Atlanta Falcons might not have their quarterback of the future, they may have even passed on quarterback Justin Fields to draft a tight end, and they've given up more passing yards than all but one NFL team.

However, the Falcons do have weapons and talent, or they wouldn't be in the thick of their division race at 4-6, only one game behind Tampa Bay.

Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams identified one real area of concern for his group and it's very familiar. The Falcons offensive line is standing out, much like the Lions' offensive line a week ago.

"Explosive in the run game, try to get on your edges," Williams said. "The line they do what they do well, which is run to the sideline, try to get on your edges, perimeter blocking, try to find ways to attack your force and two—no, really three, four really good runners in the running backs and the quarterbacks, so we are definitely gonna have our hands full this weekend."

Stopping Cordarrelle Patterson's runs mighgt not even rank in the top two goals for the Bears run defense. The Falcons have no one with more than the 443 rushing yards running back Tyler Allgeier has. Patterson hs 402, Caleb Huntley 331 and Mariota 347. The 1,604 yards second only to the Bears running game.

It's here where the chief Bears defensive problems begin. They managed to shut down Detroit's running game last week and to give themselves a shot at the upset in this one they must do it again.

Here are the matchup problems the Bears have going against Atlanta.

Bears DT Armon Watts vs. Falcons RG Chris Lindstrom

Watts and sometimes Justin Jones will be battling with the former Boston College lineman who is rated as Pro Football Focus' second-best guard in the league (87.4 grade). Lindstrom, in his fourth year, is hitting his stride. The 2019 first-rounder is highly mobile and at 6-3, 307, manages to get his hands on defensive players and moves them. He is the perfect wide-zone blocker with excellent speed. Watts, at least, is active in defending the run if not entirely successful. He has 14 tackles but only one for loss in the last give games.

Bears DE Trevis Gipson vs. Falcons RT Kaleb McGary

The 6-6, 306-pound Falcons right tackle is graded 13th in the league by PFF. McGary is starting to hit stride like Lindstrom. Like other Bears defensive ends, Gipson doesn't seem to be able to balance the run responsibilities required of ends in this 4-3 Tampa-2 with the pass rush. He had two sacks early, in a lopside loss at Green Bay, and none since then. His tackling hasn't been there in the running game, either, as he has 10 tackles in seven games and only one loss.

Bears LB Nicholas Morrow vs. Falcons TE Kyle Pitts

Pitts had a solid start last year but has struggled this season and has more than 28 yards receiving in only two games. His 6-foot-6 frame, at 246 pounds is bolstered by 4.44-speed in the 40 and because of that speed Morrow won't have the one real asset on his side that he usually commands. The Bears will need to handle Pitts with safety help and zone it up in this one. While Pitts is not having a good season, the Bears do not have someone who matches up well with him unless they decide to devote strong safety Jaquan Brisker entirely to this task. And as a rookie, he may not be able to do it.

Bears G Cody Whitehair vs. Falcons DT Grady Jarrett

Now 29, Jarrett is playing like he did a few years back and is dominating the line. He has a tackle total like a linebacker with 52, has eight for loss, and has 21 quarterback hits to go with his four sacks. He got the better of the Bears offensive line much of the last game they played, in 2020, when the Bears staged a miracle rally behind Nick Foles. Whitehair played a decent enough game in that one but handling Jarrett this year won't be easy. He is rated PFF's 26th best defensive tackle, one spot ahead of teammate Ta'Quon Graham, who also has good numbers.

But it's the massive type player who has given the Bears offensive line interior trouble and these two defensive tackles probably shouldn't be able to do this as they average 300 pounds between the two of them.

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