The Falcons may have the league’s flashiest offensive headline right now, but the real story through four weeks has been what they’re doing on the other side of the ball. Atlanta’s defense is sitting first against the run, giving up fewer than 50 rushing yards per game, and second in pressure rate.
That’s a huge number for any unit, and it gets even more striking when you factor in that the Falcons have been doing it without Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., and A.J. Terrell.
That kind of production usually comes from familiar names. Instead, Atlanta is getting big-time work from players who are still carving out their reputations.
Cameron Thomas is right at the top of that list. He came over from the Cleveland Browns last season and followed Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta on a one-year deal worth just over $3 million.
On paper, that looked like the kind of contract fringe roster players sign and try to turn into something more. Injuries and the suspension handed to James Pearce Jr. changed the picture quickly, and Thomas has stepped in as a starter and made the most of it.
He has 13 pressures, which ranks 17th among EDGE defenders, along with eight quarterback hits - already a career high - and 1.5 sacks. For a defense that has been dominant up front, Thomas has been one of the reasons why.
C.J. Henderson has also forced his way into the conversation.
When A.J. Terrell landed on Injured Reserve, it set off alarms for anyone who’s followed this team over the last five years, because Terrell is the Falcons’ top cover corner and the depth behind him has long been a question.
Jeff Ulbrich didn’t flinch, though, and Henderson has rewarded that confidence with what might be the best stretch of his career. He already has six passes defended.
Opponents are completing just 50% of their throws when they target him, and that has translated to an 80.9 quarterback rating. He also came up with a key first-half fumble in the Falcons’ win over the Saints.
Even with Terrell on the way back, Henderson has given Atlanta a reason to keep him in the mix.
Then there’s Harold Perkins Jr., the sixth-round pick out of LSU who is starting to earn more and more real estate on the field. His biggest showing came Monday night against his hometown Saints, when he posted 10 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a pass defended in the win.
The coaching staff clearly trusts him more each week, and that has shown up in the usage: he has played more than 65% of the defensive snaps over the past two games. His versatility has made him especially useful in passing situations, where he can do a little bit of everything.
Atlanta’s stars are getting plenty of attention, and deservedly so. But through four weeks, the defense has been lifted by the kind of under-the-radar production that can change a team’s identity fast.
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Miller arrives with an unusual backstory for a midseason addition. He was originally drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but an injury led to his release before the season began. After working his way back, he reportedly stood out in a workout for Atlanta and now gets a chance to show whether that look can turn into something more. [Read more 🡒]
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The unease in the stands only added to the mood. During the game, a Saints fan fell on the steep steps in the 600 level, though he appeared conscious and was helped by nearby fans, a jarring scene inside a stadium that was already hearing plenty of frustration from the home crowd. The Saints are still winless at home, and after another rough afternoon, the pressure around the team is starting to feel as loud as the disappointment in the seats. [Read more 🡒]
Drake London Said Exactly What Falcons Fans Love About Beating The Saints
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Drake London was right in the middle of it, finishing with five catches for 96 yards and again looking like one of Michael Penix Jr.'s most reliable targets. He also spoke to the extra motivation behind Atlanta's continued push to score, tying it back to a previous Saints moment involving Jameis Winston, which only added another layer to a win Falcons fans will happily savor. [Read more 🡒]