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When it comes to advanced analytics, the devil is always in the details. After a thorough thrashing of the Texans on Sunday, you'd expect the Falcons to walk away with solid scores all around. While the team did score pretty well, there were some confusing scores. The offense - which put up 35 points in 3 quarters - ended up with a negative overall grade. It's hard to tell how much the fourth quarter hurt the overall score, or whether the analysts felt the Texans flubbed more than the Falcons succeeded, but the scores tell a somewhat different story from the final score. With that said, here are the numbers from Sunday's contest.
Offense
On the plus side, no player scored better than center Mike Person, who netted a +2.1 which was driven by his strong run blocking score of +2.2. WR Leonard Hankerson posted a strong +2.0 score, backing up his 100 yard performance on Sunday. Matt Ryan came out with a +1.5 score after a very efficient day. Touchdown machine Devonta Freeman and hammering fullback Patrick DiMarco pulled in +1.5 and +1.6 scores respectively. Other notable scores: LG Andy Levitre (+0.8), WR Julio Jones (+0.5) and RG Chris Chester (+0.4).
On the flip side, Levine Toilolo apparently struggled all day as evidenced by his -6.7 overall score. Toilolo's -4.8 run blocking was the only "red" run blocking score outside of Chris Chester. Right Tackle Ryan Schraeder drew a tough assignment in facing JJ Watt, and that showed in his -3.7 overall score. His -3.5 pass blocking score was reflective of playing against one of the best defenders in football. Jake Matthews also had a tough assignment, and scored a -2.5 overall, though his +0.8 run blocking score prevented his overall from dropping too dramatically. Other notable scores: WR Roddy White (-2.6), RB Terron Ward (-0.9), TE Mickey Shuler (-0.4).
Defense
While the 2013/2014 Falcons would have made Ryan Mallett look like a pro-bowler, this unit is finally making sub-par talent look like sub-par talent. The defense had strong scores all around, lead by MLB Paul Worrilow and his +3.9 overall score. Corners Robert Alford (+3.4) and Desmond Trufant (+2.3) had a great day, while safety William Moore (+3.1) also scored very well. Rookie UDFA free safety Robenson Therezie showed why the staff had confidence in him with his +1.2 overall score. Other notable scores: DT Adrian Clayborn (+1.6), LB Brooks Reed (+1.6), DE Tyson Jackson (+1.5), LB Nate Stupar (+1.2), DE Kroy Biermann (+1.1).
There weren't many negative scores, though DTs Ra'shede Hageman and Grady Jarrett both netted a -1.9 overall. Hageman was hurt by an early penalty while Jarrett's run stopping was not great on Sunday. DE Vic Beasley scored a -1.6, mostly attributable to his -0.9 penalty score. Other notable scores: DE O'Brien Schofield (-1.2), CB Phillip Adams (-1.0).
Special Teams
Matt Bosher continues to assault the football, earning a +2.5 overall score. Meanwhile, ageless Matt Bryant earns a +3,123,419,231,512 on the DW kicker scale because he's 40, he's awesome and I hope he never retires.
What are your thoughts on the scores from the Texans game?