The Falcons ground game has not been a legitimate strength since 2017, when it was in the top half of the league, and 2016, when it was one of the best attacks in the league. Under Steve Sarkisian, the attack gradually atrophied with Devonta Freeman hurt, and under Dirk Koetter last year, Devonta Freeman “enjoyed” the least productive campaign of his career up until that point.
The Falcons rushing attack ranks better against the rest of the league than it did just a year ago, but only narrowly. A couple of dominant Todd Gurley games and plenty of early season scoring from the team’s prized free agent signing have bolstered the rushing attack’s numbers, but the truth is that if not for Ito Smith’s recent emergence, this would probably look even worse than last year.