If I had been making an inventory of essentially the most enjoyable offenses to look at within the NFL proper now, the Atlanta Falcons can be close to the highest of that checklist. Ever for the reason that loss to the Steelers (sans a hiccup in opposition to Seattle), the Falcons have been an extremely well-designed, well-functioning machine, inserting ninth in EPA per play and Sixth in Offensive Success Price. Now, the Falcons offense has many stars enjoying rather well: RB Bijan Robinson is among the most versatile and electrical gamers within the sport, QB Kirk Cousins is enjoying at a excessive stage, and receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney (!) are enjoying their means into Professional Bowl consideration. Even TE Kyle Pitts has come alongside for the reason that starting of the season.
Nevertheless, I wish to current to you one secret weapon the Falcons have, that makes their offense actually take off: TE Charlie Woerner. Woerner isn’t going to catch many passes: in truth, he solely has two catches this 12 months. Nevertheless, why he’s so necessary is easy: he kicks ASS within the run recreation. With as a lot 11 personnel because the Falcons play (2nd in 11 personnel fee, solely behind the Los Angeles Rams), having a good finish who is usually a distinction maker within the run recreation is necessary. Because the Falcons’ superstars have gotten all the popularity, it’s Woerner that basically helps make them go.
The Falcons are virtually completely a zone working crew. With Woerner on the sector they’re working a zone run 87% of the time, and it solely drops to 84% with out him. Nevertheless, what they ask him to do varies. He’s typically introduced in movement a momentum blocker; he will get a full head of steam and simply caves whoever he sees. What this does is permits Atlanta to make use of movement within the run recreation to create higher angles for Woerner as a blocker, and for the backs to see the creases clearer. What the Falcons have began doing is as a substitute of bringing him in movement to assist double on the EDGE (it’s like what San Francisco runs with George Kittle), Woerner runs in between the guard and sort out to both assistance on a defensive sort out or make his option to a LB, like he does right here in opposition to Dallas. Watch him put LB DeMarvion Overshown within the dust, of us. That’s what a brilliant function participant does.
Once more, right here comes Woerner on the movement throughout, and it primarily creates a lead blocker for RB Bijan Robinson, who takes all this area afforded to him and turns it right into a 14 yard play.
Even when he isn’t in movement, he’s making an affect within the run recreation. Atlanta loves a condensed formation, and working out of these tighter seems to be forces DBs into the run match in opposition to blockers like Woerner, who robotically have the benefit in these conditions. Woerner is ready to flip a DB inside out on this run, making a crease for Robinson once more. The movement brings a DB into the run match and Robinson is off to the races.
Once more, he stays necessary to this crew as a result of he helps to maintain them efficient on the bottom, regardless of enjoying in lighter personnel. Having receivers and tight ends like Woerner who will block his ass off helps to raise groups like Atlanta and the LA Rams as a result of they don’t should get massive to run the ball, they’ll simply play of their model of a base offense. On RB Tyler Allgeier’s landing, Woerner does a terrific job on the level of assault as soon as once more. He fights him off simply sufficient to let Allgeier get by way of the hole, after which finishes the block as Allgeier scores.
Atlanta’s capability to run the ball out of 11 personnel (0.02 EPA/rush) actually helps hold that offense on observe, and Woerner performs an enormous function in it. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson does a terrific job of designing ideas each beneath middle and within the pistol to get him on the transfer and create good conditions for him, and he executes them rather well. Atlanta performs the Saints on Sunday, who’re at present going by way of some issues of their very own, however in case you tune into this recreation, hold a watch out for Woerner and his capability to whip ass on the bottom.
