Falcons Defense Has 'Most Dominant Game' of Season, Takes Suffocating Win vs. Colts
The Atlanta Falcons' defense suffered a pair of firsts on the opening drive Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts - and neither set a tone for Atlanta's (7-8) dominant 29-10 win over Indianapolis (8-7) inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
As Colts running back Jonathan Taylor found the endzone from a yard out, the Falcons allowed both their first opening series touchdown and first rushing score to a running back this season.
In one series, Indianapolis marched 75 yards on 13 plays.
Over their following 10 possessions, the Colts mustered only 187 yards on 55 plays, averaging just 3.4 yards per play.
Indianapolis had only three drives last over 40 yards - the aforementioned opening possession, a strong series out of halftime and its last opportunity when Atlanta was in prevent defense.
By game's end, the Falcons recorded six sacks, eight tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits while limiting the Colts to just 262 yards of offense, their second-fewest mark this season.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith attributed the outing to the frequent adjustments made by defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray and secondary coach Steve Jackson and the adaptability of Atlanta's defenders.
"It helps when you've got really smart players," Smith said. "A couple things tweaked in-game. I thought Ryan, Jerry, Jack and the players started throwing different looks, made him hold it an extra tick, and the guys played really well up front."
Colts coach Shane Steichen wasn't quite as definitive when asked why his offense struggled so much as the game progressed.
"Great question. If I had an answer for you, I’d give you a perfect answer," Steichen said. "Credit to the Falcons. They did a good job up front with their defensive line in some of the things they were doing."
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) is brought down by Atlanta Falcons defenders during a game against at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons received another strong game from third-round rookie defensive end Zach Harrison, who followed up last week's first career sack with two more against the Colts and added one tackle for loss.
Calais Campbell, perhaps Harrison's biggest mentor, had quite the showing in his own right, collecting 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and a tackle for loss.
Joining in the fun off the edge was second-year pro Arnold Ebiketie, who matched Campbell with three quarterback hits and a half-sack.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss was another standout, notching a team-high 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. His running mate in the middle of Atlanta's defense, Nate Landman, pitched in nine more tackles.
Rookie safety DeMarcco Hellams started once again and continued to impress, finishing third in tackles with seven while adding one tackle for loss.
And what more can be said about safety Jessie Bates III?
The player who Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot made the fourth highest-paid safety in NFL history notched his sixth interception of the season Sunday, the most by a Falcon since Damontae Kazee's seven in 2018.
"Very happy for him," Smith said. "Jessie's come in here - he's a terrific football player and great teammate. Just very fortunate we were able to get him."
Atlanta's defense had come under fire for its play late in games, allowing scores in the final minute of each of the team's past four losses, including the last two games.
The Falcons had a chance to fold Sunday, as much of the second half was played within a one- or two-score margin. Instead, Atlanta buckled down.
After the Colts began the second half with a field goal, their next three drives ended as follows: turnover on downs, interception, turnover on downs.
Atlanta's offense responded with lengthy drives and a pair of field goals, providing strong complementary football and enabling the Falcons to depart their home finale victorious.
"Situational football as a team, that's been a thing that's kind of stopped us a little bit," Smith said. "Everybody was in tune in all three phases. It was a good team win."
The numerous individual standouts paved the way for Atlanta's defense to hold Indianapolis' running backs to just 61 yards on 21 attempts, an average of 2.9 yards per carry on designed runs.
The Colts entered Sunday in the top half of the league in rushing but were stonewalled time and again by the Falcons' defensive front.
Atlanta was ranked No. 16 league-wide in run defense, allowing 112 rushing yards per game. Even factoring in quarterback Gardner Minshew's 31 yards on four scrambles, the Colts posted a mere 92 yards on 25 carries.
"They've been stout against the run," Smith said. "We haven't given up a lot of explosive runs all year and been really good in the redzone, and today, situationally."
The Falcons' defense has soared to new levels under Nielsen, starting the day ranked No. 9 in the league in points per game at 19.9 and No. 11 in yards at 311.7.
Under a bigger microscope, Atlanta now sits at 36 sacks after posting 39 combined in the previous two years. The Falcons had 69 quarterback hits in 2022; they have 88 hits through 15 games this year.
Atlanta's pass rush has taken noticeable strides, its run defense gave Indianapolis fits ... and with the secondary playing strong coverage on the backend, the Falcons' defense came together to play perhaps its best game of the season.
"We've been talking about putting four quarters together all year," Bates said. "I think this is probably the most dominant game we’ve had throughout the year, which is great. You want to play these types of games at this type of time."
Atlanta also set a pair of positive "firsts" - its first three-possession win and first game with at least six sacks under Smith, who's in his third year as head coach.
Still, the Falcons are a game out of the playoffs, both in the NFC South and wildcard race.
But Atlanta remains focused on itself, trying to finish with a winning record for the first time in six years and salvaging an otherwise frustrating campaign.
Margin for error is small moving forward - even smaller than it was entering Sunday. The Falcons will likely need to win their final two games to have a chance, starting New Year's Eve against the Chicago Bears.
And with the way its defense is playing, Atlanta figures to be in the fight once again - with a chance to finish the year on a considerable high note.
"It’s a great win to build off of," Bates said. "Celebrate, enjoy it, have a happy Christmas. Then, get back to work and go beat the Bears."
