Falcons Defense Dominates in Win Over Saints
The Atlanta Falcons ended their five-game losing streak with a decisive 24-10 victory against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The game showcased an outstanding performance by the Falcons’ defense, particularly highlighted by the return of linebacker Divine Deablo, who made an impactful debut after a lengthy absence.
Defensive Prowess on Display
The Falcons’ defense was relentless, tallying an impressive five sacks, six tackles for loss, seven passes defended, eight quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and an interception. They held the Saints to a mere 31% conversion rate on third downs (5/16) and prevented them from scoring any touchdowns. The dominance was evident in the Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, where seven defenders achieved scores of 70 or higher, with edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie leading the charge at 80.7.
Deablo, in his return, made an immediate impact with nine total tackles, three defensive stops, and a stellar 72.0 coverage grade, allowing only two yards in coverage. He ranked as the third-highest graded defender in the game. Ebiketie contributed significantly as well, notching five quarterback hurries alongside a hit and a tackle. Defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus recorded four quarterback hurries and a sack, solidifying his status as the team leader in sacks with six.
Safety Jessie Bates also stood out with seven tackles and a quarterback hurry, while rookie safety Xavier Watts sealed the game with his third career interception. Watts was targeted frequently, yet he remained effective, allowing a passer rating of only 79.2 when thrown at.
Offensive Resurgence
On the offensive front, the Falcons delivered one of their better performances of the season. Chris Lindstrom, the All-Pro right guard, earned the highest score of the game at 85.9. Quarterback Kirk Cousins rebounded impressively, completing 69.6% of his passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns, including a stunning 49-yard strike to Darnell Mooney.
Mooney’s performance marked a significant turnaround for him this season, as he caught three passes for 74 yards and his first touchdown. Center Ryan Neuzil and tight end Felipe Franks rounded out the top five offensive performers, with Neuzil contributing to a pressure-free outing and Franks converting a crucial short-yardage play.
Room for Improvement
Despite the victory, some areas of concern emerged on both sides of the ball. Tight end Teagan Quitoriano struggled, earning the lowest grade among offensive players at 49.6, with no catches and a subpar pass-blocking grade. Kyle Pitts, the highly touted tight end drafted fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, continued to face challenges, finishing with two catches for 25 yards and two drops.
Other players in the bottom tier included receiver KhaDeral Hodge and running back Tyler Allgeier, who managed only 44 yards on 12 carries. The Falcons will need to address these issues as they move forward in the season.
Solid Contributions Across the Board
Notable performances extended to several other players, including cornerback Cobee Bryant and edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who maintained solid grades. Running back Bijan Robinson, left guard Matthew Bergeron, and left tackle Jake Matthews also contributed positively.
The Falcons’ latest victory marks a crucial turning point. The team will look to build on this momentum as they aim for greater success in the upcoming weeks.
