The NFL is loaded with high-powered talent on the offensive side of the ball, but which units scare opposing defensive coordinators the most when they set the game plan? And which players, outside of the quarterback position, do you have to stop in order to slow these offenses down?
Today, let's dig deep into the five scariest offenses in the league. From the Cowboys' physicality up front to the Falcons' big-play passing attack, here are the five NFL offenses that give defenses consistent problems on game day.
Atlanta Falcons
Points per game rank: 1st | Yards per play rank: 1st
Who you have to stop: WR Julio Jones
Jones is the most complete wide receiver in the game, a rare combination of speed, size and route-running ability at all three levels of the field. This season, Jones has produced 1,253 yards receiving (despite missing the past two games) and is averaging a ridiculous 17.4 yards per catch, but it's the tape that would scare me more than the raw numbers as an opposing defensive coordinator because of his ability to take over games with Matt Ryan throwing him the ball.
The deep ball? Yeah. Jones can press the top of any secondary in the league with the ball skills to make top-level grabs down the field. But given his formation flexibility, I would worry more about his production after the catch on simple crossing routes from a slot alignment and his ability to eat up a defensive back's cushion before snapping off a route to advance the sticks. Outside of the numbers, in the slot, out of a bunch or stack formation. It doesn't matter. You have to account for Jones regardless of his alignment because he can light up your defense from any spot on the field.