Falcons still lead NFL in outside-zone run rate at 54.8%

Gap use rises as share falls from 65.7% in 2025.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 58m1 min read

The #Falcons are still running outside zone at the highest rate in the NFL (54.8% of carries), per Next Gen Stats. But t Via @marcraimondi on X

What happened: Atlanta still runs outside zone on 54.8% of carries, the highest rate in the NFL per Next Gen Stats. That share is down from 65.7% in 2025 and 60.7% in 2024. Atlanta uses gap schemes on 12.9% of carries, ninth-lowest in the league.

Why it matters: The wide-zone foundation pairs with a league-high 56.3% of snaps under center. More gap concepts give Atlanta a counter to defenses overplaying lateral flow. The balance will shape weekly run-game matchups.

By the numbers: Outside-zone rate: 54.8% in 2026 (1st), 65.7% in 2025, 60.7% in 2024. Gap-scheme rate: 12.9% (9th-lowest).

What to watch: Watch whether the outside-zone share keeps falling as Atlanta mixes in more gap runs.

Sources

@marcraimondi 2026-10-14T13:14:51.415968+00:00

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