Recording sacks has been like pulling teeth for the Atlanta Falcons this season. After 11 games, the team ranks dead last in the NFL with just 10 total sacks. To help provide some perspective, the Carolina Panthers are ranked 31st in the league with 17 sacks.
While the Falcons’ aversion to recording sacks is nothing new, many thought the addition of outside linebacker Matthew Judon would help the team improve the pass rush. However, that hasn’t been the case thus far.
Despite producing eye-popping sack totals for much of his career, Judon has yet to be the difference-maker the team anticipated when trading for him back in August. From 2021-2023, Judon recorded 32 sacks in 38 games for the New England Patriots.
Even though he’s tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks this season, Judon hasn’t looked like the same player. Morris gave an honest assessment of the linebacker’s production during Wednesday’s press conference, per team reporter Amna Subhan.
“To be quite honest, we’re looking for more, and I know he is also,” Morris said about Judon.
Raheem Morris on Matthew Judon: “To be quite honest we’re looking for more, and I know he is also.”
— Amna (@amna__subhan) November 27, 2024
Judon likely would agree that his production hasn’t been up to par. Back in Week 8, the veteran pass rusher was asked to grade his first few games in Atlanta.
“I’d say a D,” Judon told The Athletic’s Josh Kendall. “I’ve just got to play better, more production, better numbers, better pressure rate, get the quarterback down more. That’s what I came here for.”
Fortunately for Judon, the Falcons have six weeks left to turn things around. Atlanta is in first place in the NFC South with an overall record of 6-5, but the team will need to find a way to create more pressure in order to snap a six-year postseason drought.