The Falcons are sitting atop the division with a 4-2 record, including a perfect 3-0 mark in the NFC South and are coming off a convincing victory over the lowly Panthers.
Carolina hung in the game for the first half, able to move the ball at will through the air and on the ground. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s offense didn’t look nearly as clean, even if they entered the half with a lead.
Eventually, the Falcons flexed their muscles and dominated a bad Panthers defense on the ground. It was yet another example of Raheem Morris’ team winning in a different way.
Against the Eagles, the defense held Jalen Hurts in check for much of the night before Kirk Cousins led a near-perfect game-winning touchdown drive. Against the Saints, it was the special teams and defense that led the way. Against the Bucs, Cousins had his coming out party, throwing for 500+ yards.
On Sunday, it was the Falcons rushing attack that led the way over the Panthers. Great teams find a way to win no matter what, and the one thing that Morris has proved through six games is that his club can win in multiple ways. That’s very encouraging; however, there’s one glaring weakness that will hold this team back.
For as long as I can remember, the Falcons pass rush has been terrible, and nothing has changed under Morris and Jimmy Lake. Despite spending several top 100 picks on pass rushers, trading for Matt Judon, and signing others, the Falcons still have the worst pass rush in football.
Against the Panthers, Atlanta was held without a sack, marking the second time this season that they have left a contest without a sack. The Falcons have recorded a league-low five sacks. As a team, they have only pressured opposing quarterbacks 25 times this season, which ranks 29th in the NFL.
Off the top of my head, I can’t remember a team ever making a deep postseason run with arguably the worst pass rush in the league. It would be an anomaly if so. The good news is the Falcons can make additions. There will be opportunities to upgrade the pass rush ahead of the trade deadline, and it’s time to finally make a significant attempt to improve that facet of the team.
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Photographer: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
The Braves have a conundrum on their hands when it comes to the designated hitter position. The expectation is Marcell Ozuna‘s option for 2025 will be picked up. He’s been the best offensive player for the Braves over the last two seasons and is beloved in the clubhouse. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario where he is moved.
But what does that mean for Jorge Soler?
The Braves acquired the right-handed slugger in hopes of finding the same magic he brought the club in 2021, when he went on to win World Series MVP. The move actually worked out pretty well. The Braves desperately needed an offensive boost in the middle of their lineup, and that’s exactly what Jorge Soler provided, hitting nine homers and recording an .849 OPS in 49 games after the trade.
But while Soler’s bat was reliable, he also showed he had no business playing in the outfield. His -7 Outs Above Average in just 46 games is unimaginably horrendous. Had he played the entire season in right field, Soler would have been far and away the worst defensive player in all of baseball.
It’s not an experiment that needs to be tested any further. Jorge Soler is a DH. The Braves already have their DH in Marcell Ozuna, and that doesn’t even take into account the possibility of Ronald Acuña Jr. needing to potentially DH coming off a second ACL surgery.
Given Jorge Soler is still owed $32 million over the next two seasons, the Braves will likely explore moving him this offseason, and the Detroit Tigers are a team to keep an eye on.
“Among the more prominent takeaways are that the Tigers will pursue a right-handed bat to augment a lineup that Harris believes became too left-handed, as well as additional support on the pitching side of things — both in the rotation and in the bullpen,” writes Steven Adams for MLB Trade Rumors.
The market for players that are strictly designated hitters isn’t typically piping hot, especially ones that are owed $32 million. However, Soler has really found some consistency with his swing over the last several years. Dating back to 2019, he’s blasted 153 homers over just 703 games and recorded an .812 OPS.
For any club looking for a power bat that won’t cost an arm and a leg, there aren’t many better options than Jorge Soler. Perhaps the Braves have to eat a bit of the money, but it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to find a suitor this offseason, and the Tigers make a lot of sense.
