Atlanta Falcons: Week Seven Grades Versus New York

Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons Grady Jarrett (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Game: Grady Jarrett

Grady Jarrett returned from two game absence due to an ankle injury. He returned with a vengeance! Jarrett’s two first half sacks set the early tone for the Atlanta Falcons defense.

Additionally, Jarrett returning solidified the Dirty Birds’ Run defense. Atlanta was the first team to hold star rookie running back Saquon Barkley under 100 total yards from scrimmage. The Falcons only allowed Barkley to rush for 41 yards.

Grady Jarrett tallied five tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for a loss in the Atlanta Falcons win. He had four quarterback pressures, and three defensive stops. Pro Football Focus awarded Grady a grade of 85.9.

ATL All Day Grade: A

Co-Defensive Player of the Game – Brian Poole

Brian Poole stepped up big for the Atlanta Falcons defense. Poole played his best game of the season, and quite possibly the best of his career. Poole had five tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, and a hit on the quarterback during a corner blitz.

Brian Poole stuck to his man like glue, and was only targeted twice on the evening. He allowed just one catch, and on the play he stopped Giants’ running back Saquon Barkley for an eight yard loss. Pro Football Focus gave Poole a career high 90.5 for the stellar performance.

ATL All Day Grade: A+

Brooks Reed – Edge Defender

Defensive end Brooks Reed had a very nice game versus the New York Giants. He did a great job setting the edge in the run game. Uncharacteristically he also provided pass rush pressure for the Atlanta Falcons.

Brooks Reed played in only 22 snaps which seemed to keep him fresh. In total he had three tackles, and hurried Eli Manning twice. He also prevented Saquon Barkley from getting outside on multiple occasions. PFF gave Brooks a grade of 85.4 for his efforts.

ATL All Day Grade: A-

Duke Riley – Linebacker

Ladies and gentlemen this is not a misprint, Duke Riley has made our high flyers, list as a player who thrived against the New York Giants. We have chronicled Duke Riley‘s struggles all season long, and he certainly struggled mightily. If fact Duke has struggled to the point of losing snaps.

For the second straight game Duke Riley saw his snap count go under 30. This time he played only 26 snaps, his lowest amount of snaps since Deion Jones was injured. In week seven the reduced playing time worked wonders for Duke and he responded with a good game.

Duke Riley had three tackles and one tackle for a loss against the Giants. He also had another stop for no gain. Duke did a great job in coverage allowing only one catch, on one target for four yards. PFF granted Duke Riley a grade of 83, the best they have given him in his two-year career.

ATL All Day Grade: A-

Foye Oluokun – Linebacker

Foyesade Oluokun, a rookie sixth round pick out of Yale University, has been playing more and more every week. During each of the last three games, Oluokun has played over 30 snaps in each game. Foye has responded well and played better and better every game.

Oluokun was second on the Atlanta Falcons in week seven, with six tackles. He also had a hit on the quarterback as a blitzer.

In coverage Oluokun was targeted four times and allowed three catches. Foye did a good job of limiting yards after the catch, allowing just 16 yards. Foye playing more, and limiting opposing running backs’ yards after the catch has been a major adjustment for Falcons coach Dan Quinn.

Foye Oluokun was another Dirty Bird player to receive a career high PFF grade. His grade was 79.5.

ATL All Day Grade: B+