Atlanta Falcons fans are hoping to see better things from defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's unit after it surrendered two offensive touchdowns and three field goals to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. Sunday's matchup against the Washington Commanders will be a good test for Ulbrich & Co., as the Jayden Daniels-led offense is averaging 26.7 points (7th) and 354.0 total yards (9th) per game to begin the season.
Stifling the Commanders' attack would be a great way to get back on the Falcons fans' good side, and Ulbrich wouldn't mind some help getting there. Fortunately, he received a helping hand on Friday morning when NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Daniels (knee) and wideout Terry McLaurin (quad) were absent from the beginning of Washington's practice.
Shortly after that news was released, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn revealed (h/t @john_keim) that Daniels and McClaurin have officially been ruled out, as have WR3 Noah Brown and tight end John Bates.
Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich Will Be on Thin Ice If He Can't Capitalize on Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin Injuries
Daniels and McLaurin are the Commanders' No. 1 quarterback and wide receiver, respectively, so it goes without saying that their absence will hurt the NFC East franchise. Backup QB2 Marcus Mariota isn't exactly a threat at this stage in his career, and with running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt also banged up, the Falcons are in a good spot to rebound this weekend.
Having said that, Atlanta's defense can only go as far as Ulbrich's planning will take them. The 48-year-old DC is supposed to be a defensive guru, and his second stint with the Falcons was supposed to prove that. Instead, the unit struggled to stop one of the NFL's weakest offenses last week, and struggling to stop the banged-up Commanders would sully Ulbrich's reputation even more.
The Commanders scored 41 points against the Las Vegas Raiders last week, and the Falcons can avoid a similar fate if Ulbrich & Co. limit the former's big-play opportunities. Three of Washington's scores came on a 43-yard pass, 60-yard run, and 90-yard punt return, so as long as Atlanta properly game plans, it should be a much closer game.
For reference, both offensive TDs that the Falcons allowed in Week 3 came off rushes inside the five-yard line. In other words, they already seem prepared to stop any big plays that the Commanders might be planning, with the potential of that being lower now that Daniels and McLaurin are out.
One month is a small sample size, but it might be enough for the Falcons to decide Ulbrich's future if he doesn't take advantage of the situation that the Commanders have gifted him with.