The Falcons defense struggled in Lake’s one year coaching it. He failed to build on a promising 2023 season when the unit ranked 18th in scoring (21.9 points per game) and 11th in yards allowed (321.1 yards per game). It was the first time the unit finished inside the top 20 in both defensive categories since 2017.
This season, Atlanta ranked 23rd in both scoring (24.9 points per game) and total defense (345.2 yards per game). Quarterbacks completed 69.9 percent of their passes, the highest completion percentage allowed by a defense this season, and threw for 34 touchdowns, the second-most allowed by a defense.
Atlanta entered 2024 as the favorite (-130) to win the NFC South, but instead, it extended its postseason drought to seven seasons.
The next defensive coordinator has his work cut out for him. Not only must he fix a bad secondary, but Atlanta was mediocre at stopping the run, too, ranking 18th in yards per rush attempt allowed (4.5 yards).
The Falcons also have arguably the league’s worst pass rush. Atlanta finished the season with 31 sacks, the league’s second-fewest. Its 20 percent pressure rate ranked 25th.
At least the next coordinator gets to coach safety Jessie Bates, who the Falcons added in 2023 as one of the best free-agent signings in recent history.
In two seasons with the organization, Bates has 234 tackles, 10 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and two touchdowns.
Atlanta has spent heavily on offensive talent over the past few seasons, including using its last four top-10 picks on tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
If those investments pay off, the Falcons would only need a competent defense to potentially earn a stranglehold of the NFC South, which the Buccaneers have won the past four seasons.
Atlanta swept the season series in 2024, so it isn’t that far from knocking Tampa from its perch. Firing Lake was the right move to get the Falcons to reach their full potential.
