The Atlanta Falcons ended a five-game losing streak with a win over the New Orleans Saints, improving their record to 4-7. The victory also marked a significant step for the team’s defense, particularly its pass rush, which has become one of the most effective in the NFL this season.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris highlighted the focus on sacks and pressures as a key priority since the draft. “Obviously sacks and pressures have been a big focus on our team all the way from the draft,” Morris said. “… Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been able to show that. They kept it up today.”
During Sunday’s game, Atlanta’s defense sacked Saints quarterback Tyler Shough five times. This performance brought their total to 23 sacks over four games (Weeks 9-12), leading all NFL teams by a margin of five sacks during that span. The last time Atlanta achieved more than 20 sacks in four games was in 1966, their inaugural season.
Breaking down recent performances: The Falcons had five sacks against both the Saints (Week 12) and Panthers (Week 11), seven against the Colts (Week 10), and six against the Patriots (Week 9).
James Pearce Jr., an edge rusher drafted with Atlanta’s No. 26 pick after trading with Los Angeles Rams—at the cost of their 2026 first-round pick—has contributed four sacks this season, including at least one in each of his last three games. He recorded a career-high 1.5 sacks in New Orleans.
Jalon Walker, selected at No. 15 overall with Atlanta’s original first-round pick, has posted five sacks—the highest among NFL rookies this year—with four coming in his last three games.
“It’s great seeing them hit their strides,” said defensive lineman David Onyemata. “When you first get in the league, you’re kind of trying to figure out yourself. But once you start hitting your stride, once you start get going, great things can happen.”
Other contributors include Brandon Dorlus (1.5 sacks vs Saints; six on season) and Ruke Orhorhoro (one sack vs Saints; now at 2.5). Both were drafted in 2024 and are part of Atlanta’s young defensive core.
“I’m glad they’re balling,” inside linebacker Divine Deablo said about his younger teammates. “They’re still young guys. We still have so much room to grow. I’m excited to see what’s to come.”
Through eleven games this year, Atlanta has registered 39 total sacks—already surpassing last year’s full-season tally of 31 across seventeen games.
Atlanta’s main offseason goal was to strengthen its pass rush—a long-standing challenge for the franchise—and so far that mission appears successful for the current season. While playoff hopes remain uncertain given their record, they are not yet eliminated from contention.
“Winning and doing your job and playing with your brothers is always contagious,” Pearce said. “Those are always contagious things. That’s what we just bond off of right there.”
