Atlanta Falcons' Ryan Nielsen Looking Forward to 'Great Challenge' vs. Houston Texans

The much improved Atlanta Falcons defense will have the "great challenge" of slowing down an upstart Houston Texans offense.

The Atlanta Falcons defense has been a real bright spot through the first four games this season. After ranking toward the bottom of the league in passing defense and pass rush, the Falcons, under new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, have seemed to turn it around.

The Falcons' secondary, with offseason additions of safety Jessie Bates and cornerback Jeff Okudah, allows the fifth least passing yards per game, at 176.3 yards. Additionally, while the Falcons pass rush still struggles for sacks, ranking 31st, their pressure rate of 29.5 percent makes them fourth-best.

As the Falcons prepare to face a young Houston Texans team, they will look to slow down standout rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. 

“They’ve done a really good job throwing the football. He gets the ball out quick. He’s decisive. He can make all the throws. He’s very impressive. He’s a very impressive player when you watch him on tape," Nielsen said of Stroud and the Texans offense. "Their scheme is, man, those guys have done a great job. It’s going to be a great challenge. ..."

Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates with wide receiver Nico Collins (12) after a touchdown during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium.  / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to the impressive play of Stroud, the Texans rank fourth in passing yards per game, as they average 281.3, and have yet to throw a single interception. Stroud, the former Ohio State Buckeye, has already thrown for over 1,000 yards with six touchdowns while completing 62.3 percent of his passes.

But not only will the Falcons' defense have to focus on Stroud and a passing game, which has four players with double-digit receptions, but they will also have to deal with a running game that features Dameon Pierce. ... And while Pierce and the Texans run game has yet to get going, they can't overlook the former rookie standout.

"I’m really looking forward to the challenge on Sunday, and how we match up with those guys," Nielsen said. "They’ve got some really good wideouts. They’ve got a nice group of wideouts that cause problems. Each player does one thing particularly well and mix the ball around in certain situations. It will be a good challenge.”