Looking Ahead: Putting on Your Sunday Best
Commentators and writers throw around words such as “greatest” or “best” like tennis balls to anxious dogs. With fans being the dogs in that analogy. But when the head coach of a storied franchise uses those words you know they’re not to be taken lightly. However, that’s exactly what Andy Reid said recently… that the Atlanta Falcons offense may be the best offense in the whole league:
“You could argue they’re the best in the NFL.”
– #Chiefs coach Andy Reid on the #Falcons offense.
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) November 30, 2016
You may recall that last week in preparation for the Denver Broncos, Andy Reid used no such words for the Broncos. Then again, Reid said prior to the game against New Orleans, that the Saints combination of Sean Payton and Drew Brees will go down as one of the best. The point? Hyperbole? Not at all. Andy Reid doesn’t throw those kinds of words around lightly. Any offense that has Matt Ryan and Julio Jones in it has to be great, right?
Not so fast.
These are the same Falcons who went 8-and-8 in 2015, 6-10 in 2014 and 4-12 in 2013 and for three straight years couldn’t keep from shooting themselves in the foot. However, saying these are the same Falcons as those teams wouldn’t be right either.
To be clear, these Falcons are an aerial show. Their 15th ranked rushing attack is not what has propelled them to first in the league in total points (358) and points per game (32.5). This game will likely be a game of keeping up with the Jones’s throughout… or the Ryan’s in this case. Matty Ryan has been doing his own keeping up with the Jones’s and in his case, that would be Tom Brady. Here’s a look at this week’s NFL QB Ratings:
When you’re only 2 points behind Mr. Bundchen and a full five points ahead of Quick-Drew McBrees, you’re doing something right… and so must those Falcon’s wideouts around you be doing as well. Although the K.C. pass defense is currently ranked 20th in the league and the Falcons are expected to go airborne as much as the commissioner will permit, the Chiefs secondary may be as healthy as it’s been all season and you can be sure DC Bob Sutton has drawn up his blueprints for success in Atlanta including how to slow down Matty Ice. You can also be sure Chiefs Safety Eric Berry wants to play well in front of his hometown peeps because Berry grew up there and this is the first game of his career being played there.
“Right now, I’m just focused on the Falcons.”
~ Eric Berry isn’t focused on the hype of returning home to Atlanta: https://t.co/HCRSvqOqmW pic.twitter.com/v6WkIlImru
— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) December 1, 2016
Although Bob Sutton’s defensive game plan is sure to include a healthy dose of Eric Berry, we now know that it will not include defensive lineman Jaye Howard:
The Kansas City Chiefs placed the following player on Reserve/Injured:
Jaye Howard – DL – Florida pic.twitter.com/Jjbxgwvpxp
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 1, 2016
Certain powers that be, would likely skewer me in Disqus if I didn’t mention the Falcons speedy WR Taylor Gabriel. The real reason to mention to Gabriel is that he has been projected by a FanSided blog called, bloggingdirty.com to whip up on a bunch of “floundering” Chiefs DBs:
“The former Cleveland Browns wide receiver has been a blessing for this Falcons team, and he will likely be able to have himself a day against a struggling Chiefs secondary. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has used Gabriel in a variety of ways, and he has accepted the role and exceeded expectations. The Falcons will likely have him feast upon slower linebackers in mismatches, and beat the floundering cornerbacks with his speed.”
The Falcons must believe that they have the next Tyreek Hill in Gabriel. They’re not far off. When Gabriel came into the league he was clocked with 4.40 speed in the 40-yard dash but it’s his speed along with his 5-foot-7 inches and 167 pounds that make him a hard cover. However, it may be like comparing apples and oranges because Hill goes 5-foot-10 and weighs a stout 185, has 45 receptions, 428 yards and 5 TDs this year while Gabriel has 21 receptions, 378 yards receiving and 4 TDs.
I’ll take Tyreek every day of the week and especially on Sundays. Nevertheless, the Chiefs better make sure they are prepared to cover Gabriel with a corner and not a linebacker.
No matter how you dress it up, the game against Atlanta will be a tough one. However, great competition can bring out the best in a great competitor. Let’s hope the Chiefs are dressed with their “best” competitive spirit on Sunday in Atlanta, like they were last week in Denver.
