ATLANTA FALCONS NEWS

Frustration growing after Seahawks stumble on defense

It’s early but there is some clear frustration starting to show with the Seattle Seahawks and it has to do with a defense that is underperforming

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Richie Grant - Game-sealing interception Grant totaled seven tackles, two pass defenses and one interception during Sunday's 27-23 win over the Seahawks.

Impact Grant sealed the Falcons' first win of the season with an interception in the red zone with under two minutes left. Across three appearances, the safety has 23 tackles (13 solo), three pass defenses and one interception.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Grady Jarrett - Records sack in win Jarrett notched five tackles (four solo), including three for loss, and one sack during Sunday's 27-23 win over the Seahawks.

Impact Jarrett was in the backfield on multiple occasions to shut down Seattle's rushing attack, but his lone sack couldn't have come at a better time. After a costly fumble by Marcus Mariota late in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks were driving, but Jarrett sacked Geno Smith for a 10-yard loss on third-and-eight, and on the ensuing fourth down, Richie Grant sealed the victory with an interception. Across the first three games of the season, Jarrett has totaled 11 tackles (seven solo) and 2.5 sacks.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Patterson again proves he's the Falcons lead running back

It’s time to put away any thoughts that Cordarrelle Patterson’s move from wide receiver to running back was destined to be a short-lived experiment

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mykal Walker - Solid outing in Week 3 win Walker registered nine tackles and one pass defense during Sunday's 27-23 win over the Seahawks.

Impact Walker notched a season-high nine stops but finished second on the team in tackles behind Rashaan Evans. Across three games, Walker has played nearly every defensive snap and totaled 22 tackles, two pass defenses and one interception.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rashaan Evans - Double-digit tackles in win Evans recorded 12 tackles and two pass defenses during Sunday's 27-23 win over the Seahawks.

Impact Evans recorded a season-high 12 tackles and notched his first two pass defenses of the campaign. Across his first three contests in Atlanta, the veteran linebacker has played nearly every defensive snap and totaled 25 stops.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lamar Jackson looks like a $50M QB, Jaguars step up: Bucky's Breakdown

Bucky Brooks brings you notes and insights from around the league, featuring Lamar Jackson, the surprising Jaguars and a growing bully in Mi...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Younghoe Koo - Perfect in win Koo converted both of his field-goal attempts and all three of his point-after tries during Sunday's 27-23 win against the Seahawks.

Impact Koo tied the game at 10 with a 41-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter and tied the game again at 20 with a 54-yard boot in the third quarter, saving a potential disastrous possession after Marcus Mariota was strip-sacked on a manageable third-down play. The Falcons offense has scored at least 25 points in each game this season and have proven capable of moving the ball efficiently, which both bode well for Koo's overall fantasy potential moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Firkser - Catches 22-yard pass in win Firkser reeled in his only target for 22 yards during Sunday's 27-23 victory over the Seahawks.

Impact Firkser played eight offensive snaps and caught just one pass but still finished fourth on the team in receiving yards. His lone reception came on the team's opening offensive drive and set up an eventual one-yard touchdown run by Marcus Mariota. Through three games, the tight end has garnered 23 offensive snaps and caught two of three targets for 28 yards in a depth role behind Kyle Pitts.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Olamide Zaccheaus - Catches two passes in win Zaccheaus caught both of his targets for 49 yards during Sunday's 27-23 win over Seattle.

Impact The undrafted receiver out of Virginia played 67 percent of the team's offensive snaps, making him the clear No. 2 wideout behind Drake London, but Zaccheaus finished third on the team in targets, receptions and yards behind London and Kyle Pitts. Through three games, Zaccheaus has secured all eight of his targets for 119 yards and one touchdown.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tyler Allgeier - Modest production in win Allgeier tallied six rushes for 25 yards and hauled in his only target for five yards during Sunday's 27-23 victory over Seattle.

Impact Allgeier played 21 offensive snaps, three more than last week when he made his season debut, but he saw three fewer touches as Cordarrelle Patterson dominated the ground game. With Mike Davis (ribs) on IR, the rookie fifth-round pick has emerged as the top backup behind Patterson, while Avery Williams continues to operate in a limited role. Through his first two games, Allgeier has rushed 16 times for 55 yards (3.4 YPC).

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Week 3: Broncos beat Niners, Packers top Bucs, Jags upset Chargers

49ers-Broncos closed out Week 3 action. Earlier, Jacksonville, Miami and Indy came away with upsets. Here are the top plays!

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Kyle Pitts - Garners eight targets in win Pitts caught five of eight targets for 87 yards during Sunday's 27-23 victory over the Seahawks.

Impact After a quiet start to the season, Pitts was targeted early and often during Sunday's win, finishing with team highs in targets, receptions and receiving yards. Four of Pitts' five catches went for at least 10 yards, including a 28-yard gain in the first quarter. Marcus Mariota also probably missed the tight end on a few deep balls, hindering his potential production, but Pitts still submitted a solid performance. However, his lack of involvement in the red zone continues to be a concerning trend from his rookie year. Pitts was never going to be held in check for the entire season, but if he can't find the end zone more in 2022, the second-year phenom will have a difficult time reaching his full potential.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drake London - Catches go-ahead TD in win London caught three of six targets for 54 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 27-23 win over the Seahawks.

Impact London failed to haul in any of his three first-quarter targets, but he got on the board with a 30-yard gain to start the second quarter. He wasn't targeted again until he secured a 14-yard, go-ahead touchdown at the end of the third quarter. The rookie first-round pick garnered a secondary role to Kyle Pitts, who led the team in targets, receptions and receiving yards after a quiet start to the season. However, London still garnered a sizable role and continues to exceed expectations to start his career. Through three games, London has caught 16 of 25 targets for 214 yards and two scores.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cordarrelle Patterson - Big plays spark offense in win Patterson rushed 17 times for 141 yards and one touchdown while hauling in his only target for 12 yards during Sunday's 27-23 victory over the Seahawks.

Impact Patterson had four rushes of over 10 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown to give the Falcons a 17-10 lead in the second quarter. He notched a 40-yard rush and an 18-yard gain on back-to-back plays to set up a Drake London touchdown at the end of the third quarter. After a quiet outing in Week 2, Patterson exploded for his second 100-plus yard performance over the first three games of the season. His lack of involvement in the passing game compared to last year remains a bit of a concern, but Patterson appears to be a focal point in Atlanta's revamped offense, which has scored at least 25 points in each game this season.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marcus Mariota - Mixed results in win Mariota completed 13 of 20 passes for 229 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 27-23 victory over the Seahawks. He added seven rushes for four yards and an add...

Impact Mariota capped off the Falcons' first offensive possession with a one-yard touchdown run and continued to move the ball efficiently throughout the first half. Atlanta scored on its first three drives of the game as Mariota connected with Kyle Pitts early and often. However, Mariota ended the half on a sour note by throwing an ill-advised pass that was picked off by Tariq Woolen on the final play before halftime. Nonetheless, the offense regained the momentum to start the third quarter, cruising into field-goal range, but a false start and a strip-sack stalled the Falcons' first drive of the second half, forcing them to settle for a 54-yard field goal. On Atlanta's next drive, Cordarrelle Patterson rushed for 58 yards on two carries to set up a 14-yard touchdown pass to Drake London. When it looked like Falcons' offense was going to ice the game with another long drive, Mariota mishandled a read-option play and lost a fumble that almost set up a game-winning touchdown drive for the Seahawks. Aside from a trio of turnover worthy plays and perhaps a missed deep shot or two, Mariota was efficient while leading Atlanta's revamped offense to a third straight contest with at least 25 points.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cordarrelle Patterson rumbles Falcons past Seahawks 27-23

Cordarrelle Patterson rushed for a career-high 141 yards and one touchdown, Marcus Mariota threw a 14-yard TD to rookie Drake London in the second half, and the Atlanta Falcons pic...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bryan Edwards - Will not play Sunday Edwards (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Seahawks, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Edwards has had little success this season, recording one catch for two yards on three targets through the first two weeks. The production has led to the Falcons elevating Frank Darby from the practice squad and giving him a chance Sunday. Edwards will work in practice to earn an opportunity to take the field in Week 4 against the Browns.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Damiere Byrd - Healthy scratch again Byrd (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Seahawks, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Byrd has been a healthy scratch each of the first three weeks of the season. The veteran receiver may need an injury to open up the chance of him playing in Week 4 against the Browns.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Frank Darby - Will be active at Seattle Atlanta elevated Darby from its practice squad Saturday for Week 3, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Impact Darby suited up for 10 games for the Falcons in 2021, but he ultimately played in just 19 offensive snaps, saw just four targets and caught just one of those for 14 yards. The 2021 sixth-rounder will probably see most of his work on special teams at the Seahawks.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Elijah Wilkinson - Sitting out Week 3 Wilkinson (personal) will not play Sunday against Seattle.

Impact After practicing Wednesday with the team, Wilkinson did not return from a personal matter that is not injury related. Colby Gossett or Chuma Edoga will likely take over Wilkinson's left guard role.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs, Jags, 49ers headline Cowherd's NFL Week 3 'Blazin' 5' picks

Colin Cowherd gives his "Blazin' 5" NFL picks for Week 3, which include the Bucs, Jaguars, 49ers, Commanders and Falcons.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022