NFL: Atlanta Falcons will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

And: Mike Nolan’s defense benefits from some new faces and multiple schemes while the team employs a 3-4 base unit under the highly-regarded coordinator.

This past season, only four teams in the league allowed more total yards than the Falcons. And a unit that struggled against the run in 2012 digressed further as only the Chicago Bears allowed more yards on the ground in ’13.

Along with their issues vs. the run in recent seasons, the Atlanta pass rush has been virtually non-existent as of late. Following the 2012 season, the team opted to part ways with veteran defensive end John Abraham, who had totaled 10 of the club’s 29 sacks that year. The Falcons would sign defensive end Osi Umenyiora to take his place and he responded with 7.5 of the team’s 32 sacks this past year.

Meanwhile, Abraham would wind up with the Arizona Cardinals and led Bruce Arians’ club with 11.5 sacks.

Up front, the team has added a pair of free-agents that specialize in stopping the run in defensive end Tyson Jackson and now-nose tackle Paul Soliai, late of the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, respectively. Only the Chicago Bears gave up more yards rushing that Nolan’s unit this past season, although some of that was also due to the team’s total lack of balance on offense.

Of course, this already shaky unit received one big blow in the last month or so as outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was lost for the season after suffering an Achilles’ injury.