Atlanta Falcons Defense: Week 12 Grades Vs New Orleans
Atlanta Falcons Defensive High Flyers
Grady Jarrett – Defensive Tackle
Grady Jarrett the son of Atlanta Falcons legend Jesse Tuggle, has always been a disruptive interior force against New Orleans. That trend continued on Thanksgiving Night. He had three quarterback pressures including two hurries and a hit on Drew Brees.
Grady Jarrett was awarded a PFF grade of 79.3 as pass rusher. He also added one solo tackle and assisted on two others in the run game. He was credited with one stop, meaning he prevented a gain of more than three yards.
Jarrett didn’t grade well in run defense garnering a 58.8 his second lowest of the season. Interestingly enough his lowest run defense grade of 58.6 came against New Orleans in week three.
Grady Jarrett is seeing more double teams than ever before. Free agent signee Terrell McClain and rookie Deadrin Senat just don’t command the double teams that the departed Dontari Poe did. Poe’s size alone must be respected at 6’3 346 pounds.
Despite the adversity, Grady Jarrett is playing well and ranks as the number 12 interior defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus for the season.
Snaps Played: 46
Pro Football Focus Grade: 73.3
ATL All Day Grade: B –
Bruce Irvin – Defensive End
Atlanta native Bruce Irvin continues to settle into the Atlanta Falcons defensive line rotation After being released by the Oakland Raiders, he returned home to play. He played 22 snaps against New Orleans, half against the run and half against the pass.
Bruce notched one solo tackle and one assist in the run game. The tackle counted as a stop. He secured the edge well in his defensive snaps and didn’t miss a tackle, earning a run defense grade of 70.4.
As a pass rusher, Irvin provided two pressures, second on the team. He didn’t grade as well there receiving a 62.7 by PFF. Hopefully Irvin will continue to play better the more comfortable he gets with his teammates.