Despite playing two fewer games over the stretch, Atlanta has scored four more red-zone touchdowns over the last five weeks compared to the first eight weeks of the season, resulting in a 47.9% increase in red-zone efficiency. The Falcons kicked nine field goals on 20 red-zone drives over the first eight weeks of the season, but in the last five weeks, the offense has converted drives into touchdowns. Atlanta’s ability to reduce negative plays has been a key factor in the turnaround.
“When you look at red-zone offense, that is typically the biggest thing, no negative plays and no turnovers,” offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. “We’ve been able to stay efficient. Even gains of two, gains of three are better than a minus five. … That’s been a real positive throughout the season, especially with how it started.”
Since Week 9, Atlanta has just eight negative plays in the red zone, the fourth fewest in the NFL over that span, compared to 22 over the first eight weeks. The Falcons reduced their negative runs from seven in the first eight weeks to just one over the last five. The team has also improved its yards per carry average from 2.4 to 3.2 and its completion percentage from 52.6% to 75% jumping from the bottom of the league’s rankings to the top five in each category.