4 Lasting takeaways from Atlanta Falcons loss to officials
By Nick Halden
3. Atlanta’s defense is much improved
In this same game two seasons ago Tom Brady would have blown the Falcons off the field after they were unable to score for much of three quarters. Grady Jarrett and the Falcons’ secondary have made game-winning plays each of the last three weeks and given the team a win or a chance at one.
While the offense has been far better than expected it is the Atlanta Falcons’ defense that has earned both of their wins so far this year. In week five that appeared to be the story again with Atlanta holding Brady to 21-points for the game and keeping it well within reach despite the offense sputtering for the first three quarters.
Grady Jarrett is playing the best football of his career and should be the story of this week not just because of the terrible call but because of the level he has reached five weeks into the season. All of last season Jarrett had 12-QB hits and 3-Tackles for a loss, already this season Jarrett has 5-tackles for a loss and 7-QB hits speaking to the level of play five weeks into the season. Before we completely turn our focus to San Francisco, however, we have to talk about the penalty that changed the game one more time.