Drake London sidelined as Falcons prepare for Jets clash
The Atlanta Falcons are gearing up to face the New York Jets this Sunday, aiming for their second consecutive road victory against a struggling two-win team. However, they will once again be without their star wide receiver, Drake London. London missed last week’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints due to a strained PCL, and the Falcons have officially ruled him out for the upcoming game as well.
Injury woes for key players
The absence of London will undoubtedly impact Atlanta’s offensive strategy. In last week’s contest, the Falcons adapted by implementing a heavy, three-tight-end formation to compensate for their depleted receiving corps. While it’s understandable that London needs time to recover from his injury, the situation is further complicated by concerns regarding All-Pro guard Chris Lindstrom’s foot issue. Lindstrom has been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, leaving his availability uncertain.
If Lindstrom is unable to suit up, the Falcons will likely turn to backup Kyle Hinton, who has already filled in for left guard Matthew Bergeron during two games this season. Hinton started in London against the Indianapolis Colts and also took the field two weeks ago during a loss to the Carolina Panthers. The silver lining for Atlanta is that, aside from these two key injuries, the majority of the roster appears healthy. Bergeron, who had been limited earlier in the week with an ankle injury, was not listed on the injury report on Friday, indicating he should be ready to play against the Jets.
Adjustments against the Jets
With limited receiving options last week, the Falcons made a conscious decision not to repeat the mistakes from their blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins earlier this season, when they struggled to effectively utilize three wide receivers in London’s absence. In that game, Atlanta was down 34-3 before managing to surpass 150 passing yards. Instead, they leaned heavily on their running game and Kirk Cousins’ proficiency in the play-action pass, utilizing three tight ends more than any other team has in a single game since 2016.
Given that the Jets rank 23rd in the league in rushing defense, the Falcons are expected to focus on their ground attack once again. However, they surprised the Saints last week with their offensive approach, employing a significant amount of 13 personnel. This week, they may have to pivot, opting for a more balanced look with 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers).
Emerging stars in the receiving game
Despite the challenges posed by injuries, there were bright spots in the Falcons’ receiving corps last week. Darnell Mooney showcased his potential with his best performance of the season against the Saints, reestablishing the connection with Cousins that flourished in their previous seasons together. Additionally, David Sills V made headlines by scoring the first touchdown of his career, adding depth to the Falcons’ offense.
With the team’s current dynamics, it will be crucial for Mooney and Sills to elevate their games as the Falcons navigate this challenging matchup against the Jets. The outcome of Sunday’s game could hinge on how well Atlanta adapts to the absence of key players and exploits the Jets’ defensive vulnerabilities.
