The Falcons’ run defense has been the story of their first month, and now it’s about to get its hardest exam yet.
Atlanta spent the offseason reshaping its defensive front, doing it both to upgrade the talent and to patch holes created by injuries and absences. New general manager Ian Cunningham helped drive that overhaul, trading for interior linemen Gervon Dexter and Maason Smith. The team also got heavier on the edge after losing Jalen Walker to injury and James Pearce Jr. to suspension.
So far, the changes have paid off in a big way. Through the first month of the season, the Falcons are allowing just 48.3 rushing yards per game, good for No. 1 in the NFL.
They’re not just leading the league - they’re miles ahead, needing to give up 54% more yards per game just to drop to No. 2.
Now comes a major test against Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. Lamar Jackson is questionable, but Baltimore’s ground game is still dangerous. The Ravens are fourth in the NFL at 153.5 rushing yards per game, with most of that production coming while Jackson was active.
Baltimore has put up those numbers while dealing with instability at center. The Ravens opened the season with former Falcons practice squad member Jovaugn Gwyn for the first three games, then turned to first-round pick Olaivavega Ioane last week against the Titans.
Even with that issue, Baltimore still managed to go 3-1 against the Colts, Saints, Cowboys, and Titans. But the Falcons’ front is a different level of resistance, and the Ravens decided not to leave that matchup to chance. They swung a major in-season trade with the Eagles for Pro Bowler Cam Jurgens.
The deal sent a fifth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick to Philadelphia for Jurgens and a seventh, a rare move for a starting offensive lineman during the season.
"We have agreed to trade C Cam Jurgens and a 2027 7th-round pick to Baltimore in exchange for a 2027 5th-round pick and a 2028 2nd-round pick. pic.twitter.com/8BtXXXtl2K"
Jurgens has started all four games for the Eagles this year. Philadelphia drafted him in the second round out of Nebraska in 2022, and he’s been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons.
He may not be fully settled into Baltimore’s offense by Sunday, but he brings immediate quality to the middle of the line. That matters against a Falcons defense that has already limited opposing backs to very little. The most a running back has managed against Atlanta this season is Chuba Hubbard’s 53 yards in Week 2.
With Henry likely to be the centerpiece of the attack if Jackson is out, the Ravens just added another serious piece to the mix up front. For Atlanta’s defensive line, the challenge only got bigger.
In Other News...
Falcons Just Added Backfield Depth Fans May Want To Track
The Falcons added another name to the backfield mix this week, signing running back Jam Miller to the practice squad while moving on from Cash Jones to clear the roster spot. It is the kind of small transaction that can matter later, especially for a team that keeps an eye on depth at running back throughout the season.
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 🡒]
Saints Domecoming Disaster Got Even More Disturbing In The Stands
The Falcons left the Caesars Superdome with a lopsided win, but the day carried a heavier emotional backdrop than a normal rivalry game. The matchup marked 20 years since the first Saints game back after Hurricane Katrina, and instead of a celebratory homecoming, the building turned tense as New Orleans absorbed a 45-24 loss and slid to 1-3 on the season.
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
The Falcons had the Saints in a familiar spot by halftime, up 24-7 and well in control, but the lead only kept growing from there. By the end of the game, Atlanta had pushed the margin to 31 points, a reminder that this rivalry still carries plenty of edge when the Falcons get rolling.
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 🡒]