As a Falcons fan, I always wished for a defense which can sack or knock off the QB on 3rd downs. Luckily, Mike Nolan is known around the NFL for pressure packages and bringing the heat on the QB especially on 3rd downs. In this post, lets take a look how Nolan's Defense did on 3rd downs in MIA last year, coincidentally the Falcons play AFC West and NFC East teams this year, same teams who played against MIA in 2011.

Third Down Sacks

• Miami ranked 2nd in total number of sacks on 3rd down as well as in 3rd down Sack %. The Falcons and Miami Defenses are different but, Mike Nolan did dial up some creative blitzes and pressure plays on 3rd downs.
• Falcons were ranked 30th in 3rd down sack%, sacking the QB only on 6% of the drop backs on 3rd downs. This is not surprising as the QB could have cooked eggs before throwing the ball on 3rd downs against the Falcons last year.
• QB Pressures and QB hits also influence the third down conversions but getting a Sack is the best possible outcome on a 3rd down. I will do a continuation post on the over all 3rd down conversions later.

Enjoy the 3rd down CB blitz below which put Brady on the ground. I have never seen BVG crowd the Line of Scrimmage last year on a 3rd down to disguise where the Blitz was coming from. The defender was never picked up by the RB or OL.

Another one below, a Safety Blitz on Vick.Similar to the earlier blitz, the defender had a free run at the QB.

I personally can't think of any reason why Nolan can't do the same with Falcons. Finally, I think Falcons can have a intimidating defense on 3rd downs.