Why the Falcons have the most surprising pass rush in the NFL: ‘Four rushing as one’

The Atlanta Falcons have established one of the NFL's most effective pass rushes through the first three weeks of the season, leading the league with a 44.2 percent pressure percentage. In a recent 35-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta hit quarterback Jordan Love 14 times while holding him to a 52.8 percent completion rate.

Atlanta's success follows significant offseason turnover, losing 64 percent of their franchise-record 57 sacks from 2025 due to free agency, an eight-game suspension for James Pearce Jr., and a torn ACL for Jalon Walker. Despite these absences, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has generated consistent pressure while blitzing at the NFL's second-lowest rate.