Entering Week 7, Atlanta leads the NFL in pass defense, limiting its opponents to 141.2 yards through the air per game.

byTaylor Garner&Matt Haley

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The biggest question entering the season was how the Falcons could get their pass rush activated, and to this point, the answer to that question has been yes.

Through six games of regular-season play, Atlanta has registered 15 sacks, the most the club has had in a season through the first six weeks since 2012, and 12 different defenders have each accounted for at least half a sack within that total. But as the pass rush has been the largest topic of conversation when referring to this defense, one shouldn't forget about how dominant the Falcons have been defending the pass. This secondary has been extremely impactful in helping the defense rank second in total defense in the NFL this season.

Entering Week 7, Atlanta leads the NFL in pass defense, limiting its opponents to 141.2 yards through the air per game. The unit is the only team in the NFL that has not allowed a 200-yard passer this season. Against the pass, the Falcons have allowed a 75.1 passer rating, the second-best mark in the league this season, behind only Houston, which has allowed a 68.3 rating to its opponents. The 75.1 passer rating is Atlanta's fourth-lowest allowed through six games of a season since 1990, per Stats LLC.

Against the Falcons, opponents have attempted 156 passes, only completing 92 of those for a completion percentage of 59.0, the third lowest in the NFL entering Week 7. It is also Atlanta's second-lowest completion percentage allowed through six games of a season since 2000, according to Stats LLC.

The unit has also allowed 3.7 yards after catch per reception this season, the lowest mark in the NFL, and has limited its opponents to 5.99 yards per pass attempt, the second-lowest mark in the league, and the sixth-lowest through six games in a season in franchise history.

Despite missing two games due to a hamstring injury, A.J. Terrell Jr. has allowed only 4.5 yards per time targeted for defenders with a minimum of 15 targets, the 10th-lowest mark in the league in 2025, per Stats LLC. Dee Alford has allowed a 32.4 passer rating when targeted this season, the third lowest of any defender that has been targeted 15-or-more times this season.

Using Microsoft Copilot to sort through Stats LLC's data, as of now, Atlanta is on pace to finish the season top three in completion percentage allowed, passer rating allowed and yards per pass attempt allowed in a single season for the first time in club history. The last team to rank top three in a season in all three of these categories was the Cleveland Browns in 2023, when they were ranked first in completion percentage allowed (57.4%), second in opponent passer rating (74.7) and second in opponent yards per attempt (5.89).

Atlanta's defense faces a challenge as it welcomes the Miami Dolphins to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a team that is known for its explosive plays and playmakers. Come Sunday, they have another opportunity to continue the path they are on against an offense that has some speed when they return home to face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

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