Falcons HC Raheem Morris Keying in on Play Action After Bye: ‘It’s Something That We Want to Increase’
After a much-needed bye week, the Atlanta Falcons are preparing for their Week 14 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Raheem Morris has identified play action as a key area of focus for his offense moving forward.
Increased Emphasis on Play Action
Morris expressed his desire to increase the team’s usage of play action, a deceptive tactic that involves the quarterback faking a handoff to a running back before passing the ball. “It’s something that we want to increase,” Morris said. “We’ve got to be able to keep people honest. We’ve got to be able to make them respect the run game.”
The Falcons’ offense has struggled to establish a consistent running game this season, ranking 31st in the NFL in rushing yards per game (88.9). By incorporating more play action, Morris hopes to create more favorable passing situations for quarterback Matt Ryan and his receivers.
Ryan’s Success with Play Action
Ryan has historically been successful when using play action. In his career, he has a passer rating of 105.5 on play action passes, compared to 92.8 on non-play action passes. Ryan’s ability to sell the fake and deliver accurate passes has made him one of the most effective play-action quarterbacks in the league.
In Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons used play action on just 10% of their pass attempts. However, Ryan completed 7 of 9 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown on those plays, highlighting the potential benefits of utilizing this tactic more frequently.
Improving the Running Game
While play action can help the passing game, it also requires a credible running game to be effective. The Falcons have struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack this season, but Morris believes that the bye week has given them an opportunity to improve in this area.
“We’ve got to be able to run the football,” Morris said. “We’ve got to be able to get some tough yards. We’ve got to be able to stay on schedule. We’ve got to be able to control the clock. Those are all things that we’re working on and trying to get better at.”
The Falcons will face a tough test against the Panthers’ defense, which ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (106.4). However, Morris is confident that his team can make strides in the running game and become a more balanced offensive attack.
Outlook for Week 14
The Falcons will travel to Charlotte to face the Panthers in Week 14. The Panthers have won four of their last five games and are currently in contention for a Wild Card berth. The Falcons will need to play their best game of the season to come away with a victory.
If the Falcons can increase their usage of play action and improve their running game, they have the potential to upset the Panthers and get back on track in the NFC South. Ryan is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the league, and he has the ability to lead his team to success when given the right tools.