It wasn’t the most buttoned-up performance, but the Atlanta Falcons took care of business on the road against the New York Jets in Week 13. Sunday’s 13-8 win gave the team sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
The Falcons defense has shown up each and every week, however, the offense can’t seem to get on track. While there’s a very clear path to the postseason, Atlanta’s offense is going to have to step up at some point.
Here are our studs and duds from Sunday’s win over the Jets.
Stud: Jessie Bates
Quite simply, Jessie Bates has been worth every penny and then some for the Falcons this season. Each week, he seems to come up with at least one game-changing play. In Week 13, Bates came down with his fifth interception of the season. The play-making safety also leads the team with three forced fumbles. Bates should be a lock for the Pro Bowl and the Falcons were lucky to land him in free agency.
Dud: Drake London
It wasn’t a good game for the Falcons’ best receiver. London got lit up by a Jets defender on an overthrown red-zone pass attempt and didn’t quite look the same the rest of the way. London only caught one pass on the afternoon and it went for just eight yards. Obviously, some of the blame has to go on the QB, but London has to find a way to get the ball more on offense.
Stud: Clark Phillips
The Falcons were without A.J. Terrell for most of the game after he suffered a concussion early in the first quarter. However, rookie Clark Phillips stepped in for Terrell and held his own. The fourth-round pick hasn’t gotten a ton of opportunities this season, but he’s clearly capable of playing in this league. The defense didn’t miss a beat with Phillips on Sunday.
Dud: Desmond Ridder
Ridder’s roller-coaster season really makes you appreciate Matt Ryan’s 14-year run as the team’s starting QB. In Week 13, Ridder completed just 12 of 27 pass attempts for 121 yards and a touchdown. He had a nice throw to MyCole Pruitt, but the consistency just hasn’t been there this season. While it’s great the Falcons won the game, time is running out for Ridder to prove he can be the long-term answer at QB.
