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The stat that looks most un-undefeated for the 5-0 Atlanta Falcons? That would be run defense. Atlanta is a terrible 27th in the league, allowing 142.8 yards a game. Washington's rookie back Alfred Morris gashed Atlanta for 115 yards last week, and a far more formidable opponent in Darren McFadden waits Sunday.
That's why SB Nation Falcons blog The Falcoholic writes that stopping McFadden is paramount:
For the first time, I think the Falcons have to make stopping the run a priority and let Carson Palmer try to beat them through the air. Given his sometimes scattershot accuracy and habit of turning the ball over, that seems like a good gamble to take.
Palmer's 89.7 rating is nothing to be scared of, nor is their middle-of-the-road 258 total yards of offense per game, but the Raiders are expected to throw a good bit -- Palmer is fourth in the league in passes attempted per game at 40.5. Meanwhile, McFadden is averaging only 50.2 yards a game.