4th Quarter Defense

[kmedic]

I've been harping on it all post season. Our defense can't step up with the game on the line in the 4th quarter. You have to make a "play" when it counts to be considered an "elite" defense. Less than a minute left, down 2-6 points, you have to be able to stop the opposing team. Multiple times this season the Hawks have been in this situation and multiple times they have blown it. Arizona (against Kolb), Detroit, Miami, Chicago (that led to OT), and today against Atlanta. We have a bonafide hero in RW but unfortunately he doesn't play defense. If we're gonna go places in the future we're going to have to start turning the 4th quarter defense around.

 

[SalishHawkFan]

First offseason priorities: Get a replacement for the nickel slot defender. Get someone who can put pressure up the middle.

 

[Hawk n Load]

The playcalling was a little funny, too--no pressure at all on the first out, then a blitz that fooled nobody. I do agree that it seems the defensive side of the ball actually needs another piece or two more than the offense, but with a different coverage or pressure package, maybe it comes out differently?

 

[kmedic]

I think Pete and Gus preach the don't get beat over the top mentality so much that it ends up hurting us in these type of situations. Definitely the middle of the defense needs to get better in coverage. Getting an interior pass rusher will definitely help.

 

[TheHawkDoc]

I feel like we have the same brain. Everyone (media, most fans) talks about how this defense is "elite" based solely on statistical categorization but JESUS H CHRIST this defense has caved in the 4th quarter so many times it's disgusting. The BEST defenses step up when they need to and this defense does the exact opposite. Their choke jobs against Arizona, Detroit, and Miami cost this team a first round bye and at least the 2 seed and today they cost them a chance to play for the NFC Championship. It is disgusting that I wanted the Hawks to take a knee at the one yard line, let the clock run to 20 seconds, call timeout and have 2nd and goal at the 1 with 3 downs to go because I thought 30 seconds was too much time for Atlanta with this defense's track record. God I wish I was wrong. Heart breaking.

 

[kmedic]

I feel like we have the same brain. Everyone (media, most fans) talks about how this defense is "elite" based solely on statistical categorization but JESUS H CHRIST this defense has caved in the 4th quarter so many times it's disgusting. The BEST defenses step up when they need to and this defense does the exact opposite. Their choke jobs against Arizona, Detroit, and Miami cost this team a first round bye and at least the 2 seed and today they cost them a chance to play for the NFC Championship. It is disgusting that I wanted the Hawks to take a knee at the one yard line, let the clock run to 20 seconds, call timeout and have 2nd and goal at the 1 with 3 downs to go because I thought 30 seconds was too much time for Atlanta with this defense's track record. God I wish I was wrong. Heart breaking.

I was thinking the exact same thing...35 seconds was too long. We should have run the ball a little more and let more time off the clock. What does that say about your defense when that's your first thought?