The Atlanta Falcons are preparing for their biggest test of the season when the Buffalo Bills come to town for Monday Night Football in Week 6. Needing to climb back over .500, the Falcons will have to be at their best to stop one of the AFC’s top teams — and that means getting healthy.
Slowing down Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen will be no easy feat, especially with the Bills coming off an upset loss to division rival New England on Sunday Night Football. Defensively, the Falcons have been without one of their top playmakers in cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr.
Terrell has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings. The good news for Atlanta is that the former All-Pro could be back soon, though head coach Raheem Morris wouldn’t commit to him returning against Buffalo.
“A.J. will probably be the significant one we look forward to getting back this game,” Morris said, per Terrin Waack. “Obviously he’ll be out there practicing this week. We’ll take it right up to game time. We feel good about it.”
Falcons Have No. 1 Ranked Defense In NFL
Even without Terrell, Atlanta enters Week 6 with the league’s No. 1-ranked defense in total yards allowed. A Week 5 bye gave the unit extra rest, and statistically, the Falcons have separated themselves from the rest of the NFL.
They are holding opponents to a league-best 244 yards per game and have allowed just eight touchdowns. They also rank first in passing defense (135 yards per game, five touchdowns), 16th in rushing defense (109 yards per game, two touchdowns), 15th in scoring defense (21.5 points per game) and 25th in red zone defense.
At first glance, it might appear Terrell hasn’t been missed. But those numbers may be deceiving. The Falcons haven’t allowed 200 passing yards in a game yet, but two of their opponents started backup quarterbacks. In another game against Carolina, the Panthers barely needed to throw because Atlanta’s turnovers kept handing them the ball.
Now comes a far greater challenge: Allen, the reigning MVP, who can hurt defenses with both his arm and legs. For all the hype of the No. 1 defense, this will be its stiffest test yet.
Early Bye Week Could Help Falcons Against Bills
The Falcons were one of six teams that had a bye in Week 5. While an early break can be a mixed blessing — with 13 straight games ahead — Atlanta hopes to use it to its advantage against Buffalo.
According to ESPN research, teams coming off a Week 5 bye have a 56.7% winning percentage the rest of the season, second highest behind Week 8 (57.5%).
A later bye might have been more convenient, with an opportunity to rest and get healthy before the playoffs. But Morris and his staff in Year 2 will welcome any edge they can get if it means getting to the postseason. After finishing 8-9 last season — their seventh straight year without a playoff appearance — the Falcons sit at 2-2 entering Week 6. With the Bills next on the schedule, it’s time to see if Atlanta is truly playoff-worthy.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Falcons Get Encouraging A.J. Terrell Update Ahead of MNF Showdown With Bills appeared first on Heavy Sports.