It’s week 12 of the NFL season and the 6-5 Washington Commanders will probably be dealing with a 5-6 Falcons group in Raljon.

This recreation has important NFC Wild Card implications with each groups nonetheless within the thick of the race for the ultimate couple playoff spots. The Falcons are within the midst of a 3 recreation shedding streak, whereas Washington has gained 5 of 6, and is likely one of the hottest groups within the league proper now. Will Washington be capable of dispatch one other struggling opponent prefer it did with the Texans final week? Will the Falcons thrust themselves proper again into the playoff combine?

To be taught extra about these and different points, I requested Kevin Knight of the Falcoholic 5 questions concerning the state of the Falcons and what to search for on this recreation.

1) The Falcons passing offense hasn’t been extremely productive, but they’re within the thick of the hunt for the NFC South lead. What’s the opinion of Marcus Mariota? Will he be the QB in Atlanta subsequent yr?

Marcus Mariota is a really polarizing determine in Atlanta. On the one hand, he provides so much as a runner and places some splash performs on tape. On the opposite, he’s a really restricted and inconsistent passer who’s clearly holding again Atlanta’s passing recreation. I don’t anticipate him to be the beginning QB in 2023, however there’s an opportunity he returns because the backup. Finally, I believe the Falcons will flip to Desmond Ridder this yr if/after they’re eradicated from playoff rivalry.

2) On the heels of an incredible 2021, Kyle Pitts was placing up a lot much less spectacular stats this yr earlier than his knee damage. What was causing that? How a lot will the Falcons’ offense battle with out him?

A lot of it has to do with Marcus Mariota and the restricted nature of the passing recreation. A full third of Pitts’ targets have been thought of “astray”, which when mixed with a low quantity passing recreation to start with, has resulted in a disappointing statistical season.

Pitts has had alternatives for a half dozen lengthy TD passes which were missed by Mariota. His loss will probably be large though the manufacturing wasn’t essentially there. Defenses can now focus all their consideration on Drake London and the dashing assault. It’ll be a lot tougher for Atlanta to maneuver the ball on the bottom with out Pitts threatening defenses within the passing recreation.

3) It appears like Atlanta’s rush protection has been much better than its move protection, which seems to be one of the crucial porous within the league. What’s one of the best ways to assault this protection? What are its strengths?

Throwing the ball towards Atlanta is one of the best ways to succeed, though I’d anticipate them to enhance to merely “under common” with A.J. Terrell’s return. The move rush is poor and the secondary has been reeling from accidents. Add tackling points to the combination and you’ve got a struggling unit.

The run protection has been pretty stout, however even that would undergo with the lack of Ta’Quon Graham to IR. That is an injury-depleted protection that was skinny to start with as a result of group’s wage cap points.

4) Normal Supervisor Terry Fontenot chosen former Washington personnel government Kyle Smith as his vice chairman of participant personnel a few years in the past. The Payments Brandon Beane made a run at him this previous summer season, however the Falcons turned down the interview request. What do Falcons’ watchers consider Fontenot and Smith?

Terry Fontenot has accomplished terrific work up to now and deserves accolades for cleansing up an entire wage cap mess in simply two seasons. Atlanta maneuvered out of quite a lot of unhealthy contracts and is at the moment coping with $77M in useless cap this yr, however will probably be all however freed from these constraints in 2023 and past.

Kyle Smith has accomplished terrific work as effectively, although his contributions are much less apparent to followers. I actually just like the entrance workplace that has been put collectively in Atlanta.

5) What are you anticipating the ultimate rating of the sport to be this week? DraftKings Sportsbook has the over/beneath set at 42. What number of factors do you anticipate to be scored general?

I’m predicting a 27-20 win for the Commanders this week. This can be a powerful matchup for the Falcons, who’ve struggled towards groups that may cease their dashing assault. Nevertheless, Atlanta’s protection has been opportunistic, and I believe turnovers will maintain this recreation shut and current a gap for the Falcons to drag off an upset. Nonetheless, Washington deserves to be favored on this one.

Thanks once more to Kevin Knight for taking trip of his day to reply our questions concerning the Falcons.