Dual-threat backs add versatility to Falcons’ offense

HOUSTON — Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown was merely the latest in a long line of primary options stifled by the New England Patriots’ unheralded defense, just another All-Pro talent rendered mediocre by a game plan deftly scripted with him in mind.

To laud the Patriots’ desire to neutralize the opposition’s top threat is an exercise in stating the obvious. Every team in the NFL longs to do so, thus Patriots coach Bill Belichick hasn’t cornered the market on such strategy. But what Belichick does better than any other coach is succeed at this primary objective, and over the course of New England’s nine-game winning streak entering Super Bowl LI on Sunday at NRG Stadium, his mastery in execution has rarely been more apparent.

From Brown in the AFC Championship Game back through DeAndre Hopkins, Brandon Marshall and Demaryius Thomas, the Patriots shackled their opponent’s No. 1 threat with ruthless efficiency.

New England allowed a combined 43 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns to the opposition’s top receiver during their streak, a propensity for excellence that portends a seismic duel between Falcons receiver Julio Jones and a unit that was first in fewest points allowed and eighth in fewest yards allowed.

“Julio is going to be Julio regardless. I don’t care if you put three people on him; that guy is a freak of nature,” Falcons running back Devonta Freeman said Monday at the Super Bowl Opening Night media availability. “But it’s going to be an opportunity for so many of us. We’ve got so many great athletes that can make plays.

“It doesn’t matter who gets the ball. It’s about making the most out of the opportunity.”

Despite missing two games while battling a lingering foot issue, Jones earned his second consecutive first team All-Pro honor. He paced the league in yards per game with 100.6 and produced 83 receptions for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns on 129 targets.

The drop-off between Jones, who also has 15 receptions for 247 yards and three touchdowns this postseason, and the Falcons’ No. 2 receiver Mohamed Sanu (59 receptions for 653 yards and four scores on 81 targets) is significant, so if the Patriots succeed in negating Jones, the Falcons will need complementary options to fill the void and keep their high-scoring offense rolling.

Freeman and second-year running back Tevin Coleman offer terrific alternatives.

For all of Jones’ exceptionality, the Falcons paced the NFL in scoring and finished second in total offense in large part due to their depth.

Freeman and Coleman undergird that depth with their dual-threat capabilities, with Freeman ranking third on the team with 54 receptions for 462 yards and two touchdowns. Coleman added 31 catches for 421 yards and three touchdowns, and combined, Freeman and Coleman were targeted 105 time by Falcons All-Pro quarterback Matt Ryan.

Freeman and Coleman are first and foremost running threats for an offense that ranked fifth in rushing. However, what they supply in the aerial attack isn’t superfluous.

“When you try to scheme on our running game — you’ve got eight in the box — now you’ve got these guys one-on-one with linebackers,” Jones said. “We’ve got some speedy guys out the backfield that can catch the ball. It makes it harder for a defense to cover us and contain us.”

In Freeman and Coleman, the Falcons come armed with running backs adept at gashing linebackers who drop into coverage. Commit too much attention to Jones, and Atlanta springs tailbacks who totaled 2,482 yards and 24 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Jones has earned his sparkling reputation and numerous accolades, but where Atlanta often inflicts additional damage is in the backfield with its diverse tandem.

“Every team is going to double-team (Julio) because he’s a great receiver,” Coleman said. “It is going to open things up for us and the other receivers.

“We’ve been lining up out wide and doing our thing. It could help (on Sunday).”