Devonta Freeman earns Falcons game ball in Redskins win
Oct 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) and defensive back Phillip Adams (20) celebrate as cornerback Robert Alford (23, right) returns an interception for a touchdown to win the game in overtime against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 25-19 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Week after week, there are critical signs in every game that show why coach Dan Quinn was a home run hire. Last week, we saw a Falcons team that got off to a quick start and took care of the Texans with a knockout punch in the second half.
MORE: What we learned from Falcons win over Redskins
This week against Washington at home, we saw a firsthand example of how Quinn has instilled belief in the Falcons and the art of finding ways to win. The game was ugly for the most part. Matt Ryan was not his normal self, Julio Jones looked a little gimpy at times, Leonard Hankerson got injured early in what seemed like a puzzling loss was on the horizon.
Somehow this gritty, feisty Falcons found a way to win and win ugly. With that said, here are my candidates to receive game balls for their performance.
Devonta Freeman
As if the league didn’t recognize the talent of Freeman, he reminded them again. The versatility of the second-year man once again was on display as he ran for 153 yards and a touchdown, and added seven catches for 44 yards.
If you’re keeping count, Freeman’s last three games showed him totaling 539 yards rushing and passing with seven touchdown. Mr. Freeman has arrived ladies and gentlemen.
Jacob Tamme
The absence of Tamme for most of the Dallas game in Week 3 and all of Week 4 win over Houston did not hurt the team greatly. However, with the passing game not its usual self against Washington, Tamme was huge.
His eight catches for 94 yards led the team in both categories. Tamme will never be mistaken for an athletically gifted tight end, but he has been a key asset in the back pocket for Ryan when he needs a key reception.
Defense
I gave the defense an honorable mention last week but they fully deserve recognition this week. It was obviously the team’s biggest liability in 2014, but the hire of Quinn has made the defense more aggressive and much more reliable this season.
In past seasons, we would have watched this defense make Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins look like a future Hall of Famer. But today, the defense got key stops and truly aided a sluggish offense.
Want some numbers? The Falcons allowed just 270 total yards, 51 of which were rushing yards. The Redskins made just 18 first downs allowed and two interceptions both by Robert Alford. Alford’s second interception in overtime was returned 59 yards for the walk off win to improve to 5-0.
Next: What we learned from Falcons win over Redskins