Quote:Nielsen's presence is important here, too; he's provided controlled chaos with blitz packages, receiving quarterback hits from a variety of sources, including safeties Jessie Bates III, Richie Grant and DeMarcco Hellams and linebackers Kaden Elliss and Nate Landman.

TThe nuanced stunts and deceiving pre-snap looks have resulted in quarterbacks holding onto the ball for longer periods of time - and unlike years past, Atlanta's defensive front is making them pay.

And suddenly, the Falcons' pass rush has gone from heavy burden to game-changing presence, transcending the defense's entire identity along with it.

Quote:Just consider the similarities and differences in a two-week timespan, from Week 5 to Week 7, starting with Stroud.

“They were loading the box and making it really hard for us to run the ball," Stroud said. "They were in a 6-1 frame with a crowded line scrimmage and the linebacker roaming around, shooting gaps. They were playing quarters with two high shells. So, it’s hard to take shots in that look.
"They dropped both safeties, ran somebody through the middle ... To win that coverage is tough."

Against Tampa Bay, the Falcons resorted to a lighter box while trusting their defensive front to stop the run, which it did. On the perimeter, Atlanta let its corners play press and allowed Terrell and Okudah to play one-on-one against Buccaneers star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Mayfield connected on a 40-yard touchdown to Evans in the first half, and Nielsen adjusted - which Evans was quick to point out postgame.
“They started going more two-high shell in the second half, which was smart," Evans said. "They gave us man-to-man opportunities. They have some good corners, so they played man throughout the game. More two-high and Cover 2 in the second half but they still played man. We just didn’t get to them.”
The Buccaneers weren't the first team to not get to the Falcons' defense. No team has scored more than 24 points against Atlanta this year. Only one team - the Detroit Lions - has totaled more than 330 total yards of offense.