Discharged Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Has Found A New Team

Not all was bad in Atlanta. For the first twelve weeks of the season, the Falcons were defensively near the bottom of the pack, minus the sack numbers, where they would find themselves dead last. But during the last few weeks of the season, the numbers improved a bit.

Over the final six games, the Falcons ranked No. 5 in the NFL in total defense, third in sacks, tied for 12th in takeaways, and 15th in scoring (24.8 points per game).

Atlanta would finish in the middle of the pack in run defense, sitting at number fifteen. Pass defense, opponents' scoring percentage, and total yards were major concerns collectively. 

The decision to fire Lake was made on January 11. Falcons coach Raheem Morris said, "After a thorough evaluation of the season and with careful consideration for our team's future, we deemed these moves necessary."

Since then, Atlanta has hired former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich to the same position. Ulbrich spent 2015-20 as a Falcons assistant. He has stated that a main goal for him was to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, something that Atlanta has consistently failed to do for several straight seasons now.