Falcons secondary gives up historic performance to Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Depleted Falcons secondary gives up historic performance to Bengals QB Joe Burrow

By Cory Woodroof | Last updated 10/24/22

The Atlanta Falcons are going to need a lot more from the depth in its secondary group.

While the team overall has surpassed expectations this fall, its secondary got a stomping for the ages against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had a prolific day against the Falcons in the air, throwing for 481 yards and three touchdowns. It's one of the 50-best throwing performances for a quarterback ever in NFL history.

It's also the most anyone has thrown on Atlanta since 2004.

Here's our Monday grab bag of things I found interesting.

This one's gloomy: Joe Burrow's 481 passing yards yesterday were tied for the 34th-highest total in NFL history. It was also the second-highest total ever against the Falcons, surpassed only by Jake Plummer (499) in 2004
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 24, 2022

Atlanta placed cornerback Casey Heyward on injured reserve last week, and star corner A.J. Terrell left with a hamstring injury early in the Cincinnati game.

Key reserve Dee Alford wound up on the inactive list after not practicing all week, and special teamer Mike Ford left for some of Sunday's game with an injury.

That left the Falcons with only three corners available: Darren Hall, Isaiah Oliver, and Cornell Armstrong, who was just called up from the practice squad. Former corner-turned-running back Avery Williams could've stepped in if needed.

To make matters worse, safety Jaylinn Hawkins left with a head injury late in the contest.

If Terrell misses any extended time, it's bad news for a 3-4 Falcons team that is trying to contend for the NFC South. While the schedule softens significantly for Atlanta going ahead, the team will need its secondary to step up and play well despite the injuries.

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