A three-game stretch against Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Dallas was bound to provide a litmus test for the Atlanta Falcons’ defense. Facing three pass-first offenses with plenty of star power would indicate where the unit led by Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lake stand going into November.
They couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start against Seattle. Geno Smith was two steps ahead nearly every time they attempted to blitz or bring simulated pressures. DK Metcalf and Noah Fant found acres of space on explosive plays. Kenneth Walker treated Mercedes-Benz Stadium like he was playing a video game.