For the second week in a row, the Atlanta Falcons went on the road and came out with a gritty, against-the-odds win. This time, it wasn’t about overcoming penalties-it was about a defense that made the right play at the right time.
Atlanta’s 26-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16 wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. And it came with a storybook moment from a player who hadn’t seen the field in nearly two seasons.
Let’s start with the defense, because that’s where this game turned. Despite being thin in the secondary-missing both Mike Hughes and Billy Bowman Jr.-Atlanta’s defense stepped up when it mattered most.
The Cardinals were pushing late, trying to tie things up, when Jacoby Brissett dropped back and looked for a big play. Instead, he found C.J.
Henderson.
Yes, that C.J. Henderson.
The former first-round pick, who hadn’t played in an NFL game since 2023 and hadn’t recorded an interception since 2022, came off the practice squad and sealed the game with a clutch pick. Talk about timing.
Henderson also added four tackles and a pass breakup in his return to live action-solid numbers, but more importantly, he passed the eye test. He looked confident, aggressive, and ready.
After the game, head coach Raheem Morris didn’t hold back: “Absolutely proud of him.” And it’s easy to see why.
Henderson’s journey has been anything but linear. Drafted in the first round by Jacksonville in 2020, he was expected to be a cornerstone of their defense.
But after just 10 games, he was shipped to Carolina in a move that raised eyebrows across the league. Injuries, including a serious neck issue that kept him out for all of 2024, pushed him to the margins of the league.
This offseason, Atlanta took a flyer on him, only to release him during final roster cuts. He landed on the practice squad, waiting for a shot.
That shot came Sunday, and Henderson didn’t waste it.
With Cobee Bryant struggling to contain Michael Wilson early, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich made the switch. Henderson came in and instantly brought more stability to the back end.
His interception wasn’t just a highlight-it was the kind of play that changes how coaches view depth charts. And right now, Henderson’s stock is rising fast.
Even if Mike Hughes returns next week against the Rams, Henderson has earned a seat at the table. He didn’t just fill in-he outperformed.
In a game with playoff implications hanging by a thread, the Falcons needed someone to step up. Henderson did that and more.
And for a Falcons team now sitting at 6-9, still fighting to stay relevant in the NFC playoff picture, players like Henderson-guys who grind, wait, and deliver-can make all the difference down the stretch.