FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — With the clock ticking down in a one-point game, Jessie Bates III knew exactly what Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was trying to do and completely disrupted it.
Bates read Hurts' eyes the whole way and intercepted a pass intended for Eagles receiver Devonta Smith squashing Philadelphia's chance to kick a game-winning field goal on Monday Night Football.
That along with the rest of Bates' performance in the Falcons 22-21 win in Week 2 earned him an NFC Defensive Player of the Week nod.
"It felt great, I didn't care who had it. It didn't matter if it was me or (Justin Simmons) or even if it was a sack fumble, anything, I just want to win," Bates said after the Monday night victory. "I know how much we sacrifice throughout the week, week in and week out. For us to come out with a win is big time."
The safety recorded 12 tackles — one for a loss — two pass breakups and the game-sealing interception on Monday. One of his defended passes prevented an Smith from catching a touchdown pass. Bates was the only player in the NFL to come down with an interception and at least two pass breakups in Week 2, according to NFLGSIS weekly leaders.
This marks the third time Bates has received the honor in a Falcons uniform after he was named defensive player of the week twice last season after a stellar debut over the Carolina Panthers and a standout performance against the New Orleans Saints.
As Bates continues his seventh season in the NFL, he has 21 interceptions and counting. He notched a career-high six interceptions in 2023, his first season in Atlanta. Previously, Bates spent five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals who drafted him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Bates capped off his first year in Atlanta with a Pro Bowl and All-Pro second-team selection. And now, this season is off to a hot start, too.
"Jessie going out there making those type of plays for us is very important," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "It's the reason he's here. It's the reason our ownership went out there and put all the money into it. ... It's really able to put us in position to go out there and win football games — and he's just a big part of it."
