Therezie Makes Most of Opportunity: Undrafted rookie Robenson Therezie sealed the win for Atlanta with an interception on Zack Mettenberger late in the fourth quarter. After the game, the Auburn product emphasized how important finishing is to this team, and how the coaching staff's mentality prepared him for that big moment.

"It's just what we talk about in practice," he said. "It's just regular to me. Just have to act like I've been there before. Finishing, that's what we've been talking about. I was just sticking to the quarterback; we had a zone pressure going on. I know he had to get it out real quick, but I just read the quarterback, and I was right there."

Third Down D Impresses: Atlanta's defense allowed Tennessee to convert only one of nine third downs. Perhaps the biggest stop came early in the fourth, when Ra'Shede Hageman tackled Antonio Andrews for a loss on third and one, forcing a punt.

Freeman Continues to Shine: Devonta Freeman had yet another dominant performance. The second-year back ran for 116 yards on 25 carries, a 4.6 average. He's now amassed 100-plus rushing yards in each of his last three starts and four of his last five.

"I feel good, but I want to get better," Freeman said. "I want to always get better and grow. Starting tomorrow I am just going to figure out how I can get better and how I can grow. A loss is a loss, a win's a win. In the NFL you aren't going to blow everybody out. It's going to come down to the end every game."

Healthy Jones Produces:The Falcons' injury report didn't include Julio Jones for the first time since Week 1, and the now-healthy receiver looked like his usual self. Jones finished the day with nine catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. His score proved to be enough for Atlanta to come away with a victory.

"When you can just put the ball in his vicinity, he seems to make a play every time," Matt Ryan said of Jones. "He's a stud. He's playing great. He's one of the few guys who can make the kind of plays he can make. It's just fun to be around that and to be able to play with a guy like that."

Worrilow Makes Crucial Pick: With Tennessee at Atlanta's six yard line in the first half's waning moments, linebacker Paul Worrilow intercepted Mettenberger and sprinted 84 yards downfield. Although his run was called back due to an illegal block, the turnover prevented Tennessee from building on its four-point lead.

Atlanta's defense spent a lot of time focusing on communication this week, which undoubtedly helped that snap.

"I was taking somebody over the cross, and (Justin Durant) was real alert and said, 'Drop! Drop! Drop!'" Worrilow explained. "So I got my eyes back to the quarterback, and then the ball was right there … The things we stressed in practice, they pay off.

"It's all about talking. You have to—pre-snap, alerts, everything—especially down in the red zone, because offenses have things they lean on, things they're going to do."

Williams Gets Involved: Nick Williams set a new career-high with 43 receiving yards on three catches—two of which created first downs. His 21-yard grab in the third quarter helped the Falcons set up Julio Jones' touchdown reception.

"It feels great," Williams said of his recent success. "Hankerson went down with an injury, and I ended up getting more time and could help the team out. Any time you're out there and it's second down, third down and long, you try to find the sticks and know where you need to get to after the catch. I pride myself on that."