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PFF Preview: Bears @ Falcons, Week 6

2014-Prev-WK06-CHI@ATLThe Chicago Bears are on the road for a second consecutive week as Marc Trestman's 2-3 team takes on Mike Smith's 2-3 Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome.

The Bears should look to take advantage of the Falcons' makeshift offensive line by doing all they can to put pressure on Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan. Defensive end Willie Young leads the Bears with five sacks and 11 total pressures, for a 9.0 Pass Rushing Productivity grade, and defensive tackle Stephen Paea has two sacks and 13 total pressures for a 7.9 PRP.

Falcons' left tackle Jake Matthews really struggled in Week 5 with a -6.0 pass blocking grade, so this is the perfect opportunity for weak-side end Jared Allen to roll back the years. In 98 games between 2007 and 2012, Allen recorded a +115.0 pass rushing grade. However, across the 20 games since, that has fallen to -2.2; a stark drop-off but one that may be temporarily reversed against a struggling rookie tackle.

With a line that is having trouble protecting Ryan, the Falcons may wish to lean on their stable of running backs on the ground or as a quick release in the passing game. Steven Jackson has forced 12 missed tackles on his way to a team-best +1.2 rushing grade. Jacquizz Rodgers has spent 23 snaps in pass protection without allowing a single QB pressure, giving him a perfect 100.0 Pass Blocking Efficiency. Antone Smith has recorded impressive stats with an off-the-charts 288.8 Elusive Rating and a 71.1 Breakaway Percentage on just 11 carries. Devonta Freeman has shown great potential as a receiving back, his 3.43 Yards per Route Run leads all running backs who have been targeted 10 or more times.

Here are three more notable numbers for each side:

Chicago Bears

Jon Bostic – With six stops and zero missed tackles, Bostic's 11.8 Run Stop Percentage is seventh-best among inside linebackers with at least 50 snaps in run defense.

Martellus Bennett – Bennett has caught all 32 catchable passes thrown his way, for a perfect 0.0 Drop Rate.

Jay Cutler – He hasn't had a great start to the season, yet Cutler's 74.3% accuracy while Passing Under Pressure is the third-best among qualifying quarterbacks.

Atlanta Falcons

Desmond Trufant – Trufant has allowed one reception for every 11.3 snaps in coverage, a respectable number on a defense with little pass rush.

Julio Jones – Despite the ability to make a terrific one-handed catch on a bullet from Ryan, Jones' hands do occasionally let him down, his two drops on 42 catchable passes gives him a respectable 4.76 Drop Rate.

Corey Peters – Six stops and zero missed tackles give Peters a team-leading 9.7 Run Stop Percentage.

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