FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When the Falcons face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, their secondary will have not just two but four eyes on wide receiver Justin Jefferson at all times.
Regarded as one of the best receivers in the league, the Vikings' star has lived up to that billing again this season. Jefferson ranks No. 2 among all receivers with 1,038 receiving yards so far this season. He's cracked 1,000 yards in each of his five years in the league and did so through just 12 games this year.
"He is elite of the elite," Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake said. "There's a lot of elite players, but then there's a handful at the very top, above the elite. And Justin Jefferson is definitely in that conversation."
Safety Jessie Bates III compares him to his former Cincinnati Bengals teammate Ja'Marr Chase who's No. 1 in receiving yards, ahead of Jefferson and in that same conversation Lake mentioned. Bates said they both have a knack for piling up yards after the catch. Jefferson has 305 yards after receptions. He is an explosive player that can amass chunk plays with ease. The receiver's longest play was a 97-yard reception, the second-highest in the league this season (the highest is 98 yards).
"He's very dynamic when he catches the ball, he gets a catch and run type of play and it usually turns into these 80-yard touchdowns," Bates said. "He does a really good job of making the first guy miss and getting some YAC. That'll be key, just knowing where he is. He's gonna get his catches, he'll catch the ball, but limiting those yards after he catches the ball will be key."
Jefferson's knack for YAC will be an interesting challenge for the Falcons defense who are No. 2 in the league with 4.9 yards after catch allowed per reception. It'll also be an intriguing matchup between an elite wide receiver and an elite cornerback.
A.J. Terrell will likely take on the challenge of matching up with Jefferson, but he should have help from the rest of the secondary. Terrell has recorded 54 total tackles, two for a loss, two interceptions and five pass breakups in 12 games this season.
The cornerback has been the Falcons' lockdown option. When the defense needs to shut down a receiver, Terrell steps in. Take Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints for example. The Saints receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling went off for 109 yards in the first half, and none in the second after Terrell was switched on him.
"A.J. is playing some big-time football. I'll say that right now. He is the true lockdown corner in the National Football League," Lake said. "It is very nice to have a player of his magnitude that can do exactly what you say. If we need to go put him on somebody, we know that receiver is going to have a tough time getting production for that game. He takes that challenge to heart. He studies, he works at it. He just had incredible practice just now, and it's fun to watch a true professional work with that much talent."
Terrell is no stranger to matching up with Jefferson. The two lined up against each other in the 2020 College Football National Championship and faced each other months later in their NFL rookie year. Terrell recorded the first interception of his career by picking off a pass intended for Jefferson. Still, Jefferson finished the game with 166 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Atlanta.
Since their last matchup four years ago, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has seen significant growth from Terrell. Morris was the Falcons' defensive coordinator at the time and was a part of the coaching staff that drafted Terrell No. 16 overall in 2020.
"He came in a really mature player. He had a routine already. He came in and jumped right into that deal with Grady (Jarrett) in his morning lift," Morris said. "He was always a quiet guy that just went to work every single day, but I think his maturity level within the room and that respect he had around him was the biggest difference coming back to see A.J."
Part of that maturity has allowed Terrell to play with freedom. It's also what's allowed Terrell to record two interceptions, the most since his 2021 Pro Bowl season when he racked up three.
"I think you've seen a guy that's playing with more confidence, not afraid to make a play," Falcons assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray said. "That's a big difference. When you are afraid to make a play, you're very cautious. You don't take any chances. You don't do those things."
Now, Terrell's maturity and freedom will face the ultimate challenge against a familiar foe in Jefferson.
Refresh your eyes and thirst with our weekly recap of our favorite images from week fourteen practices ahead of the Sunday matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, presented by Gatorade / FastTwitch.
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. #33 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus #54 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
A Gatorade bottle during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jesse Matthews #86 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson #71 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
