Falcons' Passing Attack Among Worst in NFL History Through Two Games
Atlanta's pass offense has a DVOA of -89.2% through two weeks, ranking fifth-worst since 1977. The team is relying on third-string quarterback Cooper Rush and fourth-stringer Jack Strand. Despite the struggles, some historical teams with similar numbers still made the playoffs.
Atlanta's -89.2% pass DVOA ranks fifth-worst since 1977, trailing only the 2002 Texans, 1978 Buccaneers, 1984 Rams, and 1979 Oilers. The team is currently relying on third-stringer Cooper Rush and fourth-stringer Jack Strand, whose ANY/A marks (0.9 and 0.1) are far below the league average of 6.4.
Historical precedent offers mixed signals. The 1984 Rams and 1979 Oilers, both with worse DVOA numbers, still reached the playoffs—the Oilers even won their division with Earl Campbell. However, the 2002 Texans, another comparable team, finished 4-12, illustrating that such poor passing often leads to a losing season.
This historically poor passing performance could reshape fan expectations and media coverage of the Falcons, potentially affecting ticket sales and local engagement. For the broader NFL audience, it may highlight the fragility of quarterback depth, as injuries force teams to rely on untested backups. This could lead to increased scrutiny of roster management and player development across the league, though the ultimate impact remains confined to sports discourse and team operations.