5 candidates to replace Dan Quinn as Atlanta Falcons head coach

Eberflus is in his third season as Colts’ defensive coordinator, and he orchestrated a top-10 run defense in each of his first two years. After a disappointing showing in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts held the Minnesota Viking to 175 yards of offense and 11 points as they sacked Kirk Cousins three times and picked him off three times in Week 2. They also held Vikings running back Dalvin Cook to 63 yards on 14 carries. Having some players healthy helped, but it seems Eberflus coached the unit up to eliminate Week 1’s mistakes.

Eberflus runs a base Cover-2 scheme, with taken from the father of that defense (Tony Dungy) and a couple of his extensions. But the Colts don’t just sit in that coverage with no variance and no blitzing either. As will be cited elsewhere on this list, Quinn could take a lesson from that adaptability and ability to think outside the box of what the base scheme is.

Eberflus has benefited from a concerted effort by Colts GM Chris Ballard to add talent to the defense. But he has to get the best out of that talent too, and thus far he’s pretty much gotten it done. Head coaching interest is coming Eberflus’ way after the season, and the Falcons should be in the mix.