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Jesse Bates III of the Falcons helps lead Atlanta to first place

Jesse Bates III of the Falcons helps lead Atlanta to first place

The Atlanta Falcons were without 4-time second-team All-Pro safety Justin Simmons on Sunday. But that was just fine because they still had second team 2023 All-Pro safety Jesse Bates.

Bates was Atlanta’s defensive MVP again in Week 8. After his performance, the Falcons defense forced 3 turnovers and did enough to hold on for a 31-26 win.

With the win, the Falcons moved into first place in the NFC South. They will now also tie the Buccaneers because the Falcons swept Tampa Bay.

In the main victory, as is often the case, Bates was noticeable from the first ride.

He recorded a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on the second play of the game. The stunning play set the tone for the day as it allowed the Falcons offense to start their first drive of the day at the Buccaneers 43-yard line.

To record the fumble, Bates knocked the ball away from Buccaneers running back Rachad White. Four plays later, the Falcons took a 7-0 lead on a touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins ​​to tight end Kyle Pitts.

Bates had another pass early in the third quarter when he intercepted defensive end Baker Mayfield. On the play, the Buccaneers attempted to run a fumble at the Falcons’ 37-yard line.

But Bates didn’t bite on the fake and then made an absolutely stunning play on the ball to Buccaneers wide receiver Ryan Miller.

That interception did not directly lead to another Falcons touchdown. But it helped the Buccaneers keep the score in the third quarter. The Falcons then drove into the end zone again in the final minute of the third to take a 14-point lead.

Tampa Bay continued to create scoring chances. But another defender, cornerback AJ Terrell, made a potentially game-changing play on the ensuing play, intercepting Mayfield on a throw in the red zone early in the fourth quarter.

The layups, two of which were by Bates, gave the Falcons three extra possessions and a huge lead in the game. Atlanta won the fight with a score of 3-0.

Bates finished with 5 tackles and 1 pass defensed to go with his forced fumble and interception. Only Terrell and Mike Hughes had more tackles in the Falcons’ secondary Sunday.

As great as Bates was, Richie Grant, who started at a different safety position for the first time this season in place of Simmons, was just as bad. He was often out of position and almost invisible in the Falcons secondary.

He finished with 4 tackles.

That’s too bad for the Falcons, as ESPN listed Grant as a potential trade piece last week. It’s hard to imagine Grant being worth anything on the trade market after Sunday.

The Falcons also continued to generate very little passing. Atlanta’s defense had zero sacks and zero quarterback hits against Mayfield on Sunday.

Most weeks it won’t be good enough. But it was Sunday in large part thanks to Bates’ efforts.