Unless the Atlanta Falcons suddenly stop throwing screen passes, this will be my last post on the topic for the foreseeable future.
That’s because the Falcons, who barely threw the screen in Mike Mularkey’s four years as offensive coordinator, have made it a staple with new coordinator Dirk Koetter.
In the next game or two, the Falcons will have thrown more screens than they did all of last season. More importantly, they’re doing it with great success.
Matt Ryan has completed all 14 of his screens for 145 yards and a league-high three touchdowns. Ryan didn’t throw a screen for a touchdown in either of the past two seasons.
Carolina’s Cam Newton is tied for second in the league with two screen passes for touchdowns. Newton has completed 11 of 14 screens for 116 yards.
Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman has completed 10 of 11 screens, but the Bucs haven’t turned them into much. They’ve produced only 37 yards off screens.
New Orleans’ Drew Brees is tied for No. 31 in completion percentage (67 percent) on screens. He’s 10-for-15 for 111 yards.