The Falcons have improved each week under Arthur Smith, culminating in the first-year head coach’s first win. Even though it wasn’t what many would describe as “pretty,” it doesn’t matter — a win is a win. Atlanta had considerable contributions from unexpected sources, like Isaiah Oliver’s strip fumble. It is becoming more evident that Oliver can be relied upon in the slot, so it might not be an unexpected player to regularly make plays on Sunday. However, now that Week 3 is over, eyes turn to Week 4; here are five Falcons players that will be pivotal in coming out of Sunday with a victory.
Deion Jones
Debo had his best game of the season last week against the Giants. Dean Pees has such great flexibility with someone as dangerous as Jones blitzing from the off-ball position, but this week, he and Foye Oluokun will be tasked with guarding Logan Thomas, who is the second-leading receiver on Washington. Pees will likely have Duron Harmon, Erik Harris, and the two linebackers guard Thomas in different looks. Antonio Gibson is also an impressive dual-threat running back that Jones will have to account for in the passing game.
A.J. Terrell
The Falcons holding the Giants passing attack in check was impressive because their top cover man was on the bench. This week, A.J. Terrell will see Terry McLaurin for much of the afternoon, who is Washington’s leading target and really the only threatening receiver on the team. The Falcons will have to contain Taylor Heinicke because if he gets out of the pocket, he can do damage. Outside of that, the Falcons need to be worried about one person — Scary Terry.
Kaleb McGary
McGary will see a lot of Montez Sweat, who effectively defends the run and rushes the passer. Sweat has two sacks and a forced fumble through three weeks, while McGary has looked quite incompetent in pass sets so far. Dwayne Ledford may be trying a new technique with McGary, and that is why he’s struggling, but he’ll have a big test this week with Sweat. He’s sure to see some of Chase Young, but it’ll be mostly Sweat.
Jalen Mayfield
Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are a force to be reckoned with on the interior defensive line. Even though he played well last week, Jalen Mayfield has an entirely different task at hand this week. The rookie didn’t see much at all of Leonard Williams last week for whatever reason, but there’s no escaping Payne and Allen. Mayfield is going to have to hold his own against those two if the Falcons stand any chance at winning Sunday.
Kyle Pitts
Pitts has been held in check for most of the season so far, but this could be the week he really breaks out. Pitts will be guarded by a combination of Jon Bostic, Jamin Davis, Cole Holcomb, Landon Collins, and Kamren Curl. The Giants threw a ton of combo and bracket coverages at Pitts and the Falcons offense last week, which is why he only had two catches on the afternoon.
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