Falcons Coaching Carousel: Lions' Ben Johnson vs. Rams' Raheem Morris Headlines Playoff Bouts

As the Atlanta Falcons handle off-field interviews for their head coaching vacancy, several candidates are effectively interviewing on the field during the NFL playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons' head coaching search is well underway, as the team has started conducting interviews with prospective candidates.

Atlanta interviewed Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks across Friday and Saturday.

The Falcons followed suit with two more interviews Sunday, speaking to Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and Ravens defensive line coach and associate head coach Anthony Weaver.

But all the while, several other candidates Atlanta's requested to speak with are performing live, on-field interviews in the playoffs.

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik received the first opportunity to send a message Saturday - and capitalized.

The Texans' offense scored 31 points against the Cleveland Browns' top-ranked defense en route to a convincing 45-14 victory.

Cleveland entered the day allowing just 164.7 passing yards per game. Texans rookie signal caller C.J. Stroud finished 16 of 21 for 274 yards and three touchdowns in his playoff debut, a resounding endorsement of Slowik as a play-caller and quarterback developer.

Atlanta requested permission to interview Slowik this past week. The window to virtually interview candidates still in the playoffs opens Monday, while in-person interviews can begin following the divisional round.

Still, there are several others in a similar spot with opportunities to issue statements to the rest of the league.

Atlanta has particularly acute interest in the 8:15 p.m. EST kickoff Sunday night, when the Detroit Lions host the Los Angeles Rams.

The Falcons have requested interviews with three coordinators in the game - Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

Johnson has received considerable interest for several other vacant head coaching jobs, including the Panthers, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches warm up ahead of the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 :: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Like Slowik, Johnson is viewed as a quality offensive mind, and he's been credited with turning around Lions quarterback Jared Goff's career.

Should Atlanta opt for the modern prototype of coaching candidates - the young, innovative, offense-laden coach - Slowik and Johnson are the two who best fit the bill.

But if Johnson hopes to have a Slowik-esque performance Sunday night, he'll have to beat Morris, the one-time Falcons interim head coach now drawing interest around the league for another shot.

Under Morris's guide, the Rams' defense ranks No. 19 with 22.2 points allowed per game, No. 20 with 337.1 total yards allowed, No. 20 with 231.1 passing yards allowed and No. 12 with 106.8 rushing yards allowed.

Conversely, Detroit's offense ranks top-five in total yards, both passing and rushing yards, and points per game.

In essence, if season trends hold, Johnson has a chance to put together quite the interview - but so does Morris, if he's able to flip the script.

Glenn has the arduous task of facing Rams head coach and offensive play caller Sean McVay, who's led Los Angeles to a late-season resurgence, winning seven of its last eight games.

The Lions' defense compares similarly to the Rams, as Glenn's group slots at No. 19 in yards allowed with 336.1 yards per game and No. 23 in points allowed at 23.2 points per game.

Detroit boasts the No. 2 run defense in the league, giving up a mere 88.8 yards per game, but the No. 27 pass defense, allowing 247.4 aerial yards per game.

Glenn's defense will be challenged, but like with Morris, opportunity exists to limit a high-powered offense and make an on-field pitch to decision makers across the sport's highest level. As for Johnson, there's a chance to one-up Slowik's showing with a primetime explosion.

How Will Falcons Value Experience in Coaching Search?

For all parties, there's the right to play again next week ... and earn another shot at raising their stock in the eyes of owners and general managers alike.