The NFL Divisional rounds commenced over the weekend, and several Falcons head coach candidates flexed their muscles.
The story of the weekend has to be the Lions returning to the NFC Conference Championship game for the first time since 1991, behind Ben Johnson’s offense putting up nearly 400 yards of total offense to go along with 31 points.
Detroit’s offensive coordinator has spearheaded the unit, reviving Jared Goff‘s career and has utilized the Lions skill group to perfection. His offense ranks third in the league in total offensive yards and fifth in scoring.
It was a very balanced offense too. Detroit’s 2,241 rushing yards are good for fourth in the NFL to go along with an explosive passing game that totaled 4,090 yards, good for third in the league. What’s even more tantalizing? There’s an uncanny resemblance between the Falcons’ talented, yet underachieving offense and the Lions — David Montgomery/Jahmyr Gibbs, Tyler Allgeier/Bijan Robinson; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London; Sam La Porta, Kyle Pitts.
Ben Johnson’s scheme is balanced, explosive, and features their best players. The Falcons still need to figure out the quarterback position, but that’s the case regardless of the head coach.
Another pair of Falcons head coach candidates squared off on the AFC side of the postseason bracket in Baltimore, and one certainly got the better of the other.
Bobby Slowik is the next branch in the Shanahan coaching tree, and how could you argue with the success he’s had in Houston? The Texans’ offense was balanced, explosive, and put CJ Stroud in a position to succeed. The second overall pick is set to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and Slowik would be an absolute home run of a hire, but Mike Macdonald got the best of him on Saturday.
Houston’s offense averaged 343 yards per game in the regular season, which ranked 12th in the league, but only mustered 213 total yards against Baltimore, including 38 yards on the ground. Moreover, they didn’t score a single offensive touchdown.
Macdonald’s defense obviously has talent, but his scheme has put some of the best offenses in the league in a straitjacket. The Ravens rank first or top five in every major defensive category, including DVOA, sacks, and scoring.
Falcons fans will get a chance to see these guys coach again this weekend in the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games. The Ravens, with Mike Macdonald and Anthony Weaver, will host the Chiefs, while the Lions, with Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson, will travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers, whose defense is coordinated by another candidate in Steve Wilks.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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