Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders have simple goal vs. Falcons: Stop the run

By Ryan McCafferty | Last updated 11/25/22

The Atlanta Falcons are a below-average football team this season, with a 5-6 record and a minus-15 point differential.

However, as they say in the NFL, "Any given Sunday," and the surging Washington Commanders must avoid a dreaded trap game at FedEx Field. T he important matchup this week will be between the Falcons' rushing offense and the Commanders' rushing defense.

Rushing statistics

Atlanta offense	Value (rank)	Atlanta defense	Value (rank)
Rush play %	56.58% (#2)	Opp rush play %	42.72% (#18)
Yards/rush	4.9 (#6)	Opp yards/rush	4.4 (#13)
Rushes/game	32.8 (#3)	Opp rushes/game	28.3 (#24)
Rush yards/game	159.4 (#3)	Opp rush yards/game	123.1 (#21)
Rush TDs/game	1.1 (#9)	Opp rush TDs/game	1.4 (#28)

Rushing statistics

Washington offense	Value (rank)	Washington defense	Value (rank)
Rush play %	44.32% (#12)	Opp rush play %	41.64% (#15)
Yards/rush	3.9 (#27)	Opp yards/rush	4.2 (#9)
Rushers/game	29.8 (#9)	Opp rushes/game	24.5 (#6)
Rush yards/game	116.1 (#16)	Opp rush yards/game	103.1 (#6)
Rush TDs/game	0.6 (#27)	Opp rush TDs/game	0.5 (#6)

All stats courtesy of TeamRankings.com.

The running game is the Falcons' one strong point, as they rely heavily on running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier, as well as mobile QB Marcus Mariota, for much of their scoring. They rate highly in both rushing volume (third-most rushing plays per game) and efficiency (eighth-most yards per rush).

But stopping the run also happens to be one of the Commanders' specialties, as they are ninth in opponent yards per rush. Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne lead Washington's vaunted unit in the trenches.

If the Commanders are to improve to 7-5 this week, they must make it a priority to neutralize Atlanta's rushing attack. Thankfully for them, they have the personnel to do so.

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