3 Atlanta Falcons who stepped up in painful division thriller

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Oct 30, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) runs after a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kyle Pitts

This is the Kyle Pitts that fans expected to see this season before Arthur Smith’s run-first mentality was established. Marcus Mariota has limited Kyle Pitts’ ability to have success as well considering he often doesn’t push the ball down the field and on rare deep throws is rarely accurate.

Pitts has to make an impact in the blocking game and on short-yardage routes and that is exactly what the big man did on Sunday. Finishing the game with 80-yards and a touchdown catch with a number of impact blocks.

Kyle’s day was even better than the numbers might indicate as well getting open multiple times including once for a potential score only for the Atlanta quarterback to miss him. Despite this Pitts had arguably his best day on the season making plays when the game was on the line in the second half and helping block to set up two of Atlanta’s big runs that allowed them to keep the defense off the field and win what turned into a surprising shootout.

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