It was not the best week to be a member of the Atlanta Falcons, as Atlanta was blanked 16-0 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8. Even in a literal monsoon, you could make the argument that this was the most pathetic loss this franchise has endured in quite some time, and possibly ever.
The Bucs ran the football 56 times for over 320 yards on Sunday, as Baker Mayfield recorded only three pass attempts in his Kevin Stefanski revenge game. He didn't record a single completion, as they became the first team to win a game without completing a pass since 1974- a couple of months before The Godfather Part II came out.
That should put into perspective how genuinely pathetic the Falcons' performance was, as the coaching was awful, Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions and looked putrid, and some difficult conversations might need to be had. If not for James Pearce Jr.'s return, there'd be nothing to be excited about right now, because when they had a chance to control the NFC South, they fell flat.
So while the current roster is going through it, some of our favorite ex-Falcons had some better luck in Week 8.
Tyler Allgeier had one of the best starts of his career, Kirk Cousins led a comeback win, and Foye Oluokun continues to look like one of the NFL's best linebackers, so as we've been doing as of late, let's check in on some old friends--though many of them were injured or had a bye week this week.
Checking in on how some of our favorite ex-Atlanta Falcons fared in Week 8
Arizona Cardinals RB Tyler Allgeier
I mentioned Tyler Allgeier had a big day, and what I should've clarified is that he enjoyed the best game of his NFL career in Week 8. As the Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 33-30 in overtime, Allgeier was the main reason they were able to get out of the 17-3 hole they were in to begin with.
In lieu of Jeremiyah Love, who left the game early due to injury, the 26-year-old operated as the feature back--and he delivered. He carried the football 11 times for 147 yards and a touchdown, including a 63-yard touchdown that marked the longest run of his career. And he caught an additional five passes for 47 yards and another score through the air. He came through.
Yes, it was against a weak Cowboys' run defense, but he was still great, and now that Love is expected to miss some time, he should step into that feature back role. And given the Dirty Birds' run game has gone stagnant and Brian Robinson Jr. has missed the last two games, I bet they miss him right now.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Kirk Cousins
While Penix looked dismal in inclement weather, the man the Falcons chose him over, Kirk Cousins, delivered once again for the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite trailing as much as multiple scores, Cousins helped the Raiders come from behind and stun the Jets behind another quality performance.
The 38-year-old is proving that Father Time can wait, as he completed 19 of his 26 pass attempts for 247 yards and three touchdowns--and added a rushing touchdown--in Las Vegas' 38-33 win. His connection with Brock Bowers improves with every week, and he's coming through despite throwing to the single weakest wide receiver room in the league.
Even though last week there were some calls for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to replace him last week, Klint Kubiak looked genius for his faith in him. This was the first time all season where he looked considerably better than Penix, so Atlanta shouldn't regret their decision-making.
Chicago Bears DT Grady Jarrett
Grady Jarrett has proven this season that he's still got it even with age, and now that the Chicago Bears acquired Jeffery Simmons, defenses can't pay as much attention to him. His presence elevated the entire defense on Monday night, but unfortunately, his own performance left a lot to be desired.
As the Bears beat the Seahawks 34-17, Jarrett amassed just one tackle. No sacks. No TFLs. Just one stop and one pressure. And given Seattle averaged 4.3 yards per carry with their rotation of running backs, it's no surprise that he struggled to do much as a run defender.
He's still a good player, and while Atlanta's own run defense didn't fare any better, at least they're younger and more explosive off the line.
Jacksonville Jaguars DT Ruke Ororhoro
Speaking of the Falcons' young defensive line, Ruke Orhorhoro has been quiet since he was traded to Jacksonville in exchange for Maason Smith. But he's playing on a team that's more competitive and doesn't need him to be as important as he would've had Ian Cunningham never shipped him off.
As the Jaguars dominated the Colts 42-7, the lopsided score helped Orhorhoro see the field a bit more often. He played a season-high 44 snaps against Indianapolis, where he amassed two pressures and a QB hit, but now that DT Davon Hamilton is done for the year, they may need him to step up--especially if they're unable to land a big-name defensive tackle at the trade deadline.
Jacksonville Jaguars LB Foye Oluokun
Speaking of the Jaguars, let's discuss Orhorhoro's teammate Foye Oluokun. Oluokun hasn't been with the Falcons for quite some time now, but is still one of the better linebackers in football--which he proved in that same blowout win.
The veteran amassed nine tackles (five solo), a sack, two TFLs, and a QB hit in Week 8, and he was quite literally everywhere. Moreover, he logged six stops and two pressures, so even though it wasn't his best day in coverage, he did more than enough around the line of scrimmage to make an impact.
Thankfully, the Falcons have a young, athletic LB tandem of their own who only struggled on Sunday because they were set up to fail.
Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Arnold Ebiketie
Lastly and most certainly not least, we have Arnold Ebiketie. Ebiketie has been playing a larger role for a beat-up Eagles' defensive line in recent weeks, but his snap share fell back down to earth in Week 8 as the 2-6 Eagles lost their sixth straight game to the Washington Commanders on SNF.
In the 27-10 loss, the former second-round pick played just 24 snaps, his lowest total since Week 4 because both Nolan Smith and Jonathan Greenard both returned to the lineup, so he's right back into the same rotational role he started the year in--which is the same role the Falcons asked of him.
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