FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — We're just over the halfway point of the NFL season, and the Falcons have deftly navigated the various challenges thrown their way thus far.
Manifesting a 6-3 record takes more than just a handful of elite players or a game-changing coaching staff, although those certainly help. Achieving success in the NFL requires every player on the roster and every member of the staff to function at a high level.
Unfortunately, the recognition for team is not evenly distributed amongst those who play a part. Today's question for Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden, Terrin Waack and Amna Subhan attempts to right that wrong:
Who are the Falcons' unsung heroes?
McELHANEY: Funny enough, I was asked this exact question in this Tuesday's Mailbox. So, instead of just regurgitating my entire answer again Wednesday, I am just going to direct you to read the Mailbox to find out my answer. A cop out from writing more, I know. But I feel like my argument for this player is still strong.
Spoiler alert: It's Mike Hughes.
McFADDEN: How about we show a little love to the guys in the trenches? Well, specifically, Ryan Neuzil at center. He has started the last six games in place of the injured Drew Dalman, and Neuzil has more than held his own.
According to Next Gen Stats, Neuzil has allowed just 18 pressures and one sack across 243 snaps so far this season. That's a pressure rate of 7.4%, which is the lowest among the Falcons' starting offensive linemen. Atlanta's offensive surge the last month or so also happens to coincide with Neuzil's arrival in the lineup, and although there are many more factors for the offensive uptick than just his presence, the Falcons' reserve center has been important.
The last place a veteran quarterback coming off an Achilles injury wants to see pressure is directly up the middle. Historically, pressure from the interior has proven to be an effective way to affect pocket passers. That's why Neuzil's role in helping Atlanta's passing game ascend to new heights should be recognized.
Kirk Cousins is playing some very good football right now, but let's not forget that the man directly in front of him on game days has a hand in that.
WAACK: KhaDarel Hodge. The Falcons wide receiver has made three major impact plays on both offense and special teams. His praises were sung after each game, rightly so, but now he's earning the overall nod from yours truly as a season-long unsung hero.
Hodge's first major moment came in Week 5, when the Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints. In the first quarter, Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed fumbled a punt after trying to return the ball deep in his own team's territory. Hodge recovered it in the end zone, ultimately scoring for the Falcons. Though Atlanta won, its offense didn't contribute to the score, so Hodge's touchdown definitely helped.
Hodge's second major moment came in Week 5, when the Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime. He actually scored the game-winning touchdown – on a play where he was only on the field because wide receiver Drake London had to come off due to a potential injury. Hodge made it to the end zone on a 45-yard reception, dodging multiple Buccaneers defenders in the process.
Hodge's third major moment came in Week 8, oddly enough again in a win versus the Buccaneers. In the third quarter, Tampa Bay tried to pull off a fake punt, snapping the ball directly to cornerback Tavierre Thomas in an attempt to run for the first down. Hodge immediately caught on to what was happening and tackled Thomas for a loss of 2 yards. The Falcons then took over at the Buccaneers' 36-yard line and scored a touchdown six plays later.
These three major impact plays are in addition to Hodge's normal responsibilities, which may be looked over since he's not always in the action. He has played all nine games but mainly on special teams, taking 59% of those snaps and just 17% of the offensive snaps. What matters most, though: Hodge is clearly someone who makes the most of his limited opportunities.
SUBHAN: Ray-Ray McCloud.
There's been a lot of love for wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, and for very good reason. London (552 yards) and Mooney (588 yards) are the only two receivers with at least 500 yards and five touchdowns on the same team, and they're both on pace for career-best seasons. So, too, is McCloud.
There was an expectation that London and Mooney would take a step forward this season with Kirk Cousins. There wasn't the same level of expectation for McCloud. Through nine games, though, the seventh-year receiver has already recorded a career-high 305 receiving yards. Against the Cowboys, McCloud scored his first touchdown as a Falcon and just the second of his career. He recorded his first in 2022.
McCloud has been known as an ace returner on special teams, and that's the role the Falcons mainly envisioned when they signed him in free agency this offseason. McCloud has delivered on that front as well with 273 returning yards on 11 kickoffs. That's already more than he recorded last season, and he is on track to have the best returning season since his career-year effort of 776 yards in 2021.
While those numbers are impressive, it's not the only reason why I feel he's unsung. He's an unsung hero because he's done all of this in the absence of Rondale Moore. Moore was one of the receivers the Falcons signed in March after securing quarterback Kirk Cousins, and he was likely meant to fill that third receiver role. Those plans ended when Moore sustained a season-ending injury during joint practices with the Miami Dolphins.
McCloud stepped in and stepped up in Moore's place, and he's been a significant contributor to this offense ranked No. 4 in passing yards.
