Falcons vs. Lions: who was the defensive player of the game?

Don’t let the 23 points surrendered fool you: the Falcons defense actually performed well throughout most of the game. The pass rush remains a concerning issue and that issue showed up dramatically in the last drive of the game, but the unit as a whole played well. Well enough that competent coaching should have been able to win this game. Let’s take a look at the guys who did their part.

Keanu Neal

For all the talk about Neal and his health, these last two games have been a revitalization for him. He lead the team in tackles in the game with 10, 2 for a loss. He also looked like a madman in his sack of Matthew Stafford and his multiple bone crushing hits throughout the game. It’s good to see Neal returning to form even as the season spirals down the tubes.

Deion Jones

With a sack and 2 tackles for loss, Jones has showed that his early season slump may be over. He was all over the field and reminded us why many analysts began to include him in talk of the top linebackers in the league. The next coach and GM should feel confident in this linebacking corps going forward.

A.J. Terrell

The first round rookie has really looked the part over the past few games. Despite not having a traditional training camp or preseason, and missing games due to COVID-19 infection, Terrell has quickly adapted to the speed of the NFL game. His garbage roughing the passer penalty against Matthew Stafford was a textbook hit and his coverage has improved dramatically over the past few weeks. He’s going to be a building block for whoever takes over this team in 2021.

Foye Oluokun

In year 3, no player is more improved than this guy. Foye was second on the team in tackles and is now a force against the run. The Lions barely eclipsed 50 yards rushing and Foye is a big reason why. His coverage has also been good all year, making him a great value as a former 6th round pick.

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