ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris gave credit to the whole defense after Sunday's 34-7 win against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He didn't praise any one player. He didn't highlight any one moment.
The entire unit performed well, so the overall sentiment was understandable.
However, a pair of pick-sixes scored by safety Jessie Bates III and outside linebacker Matthew Judon loomed large in the win. One would think they or their plays would at least be mentioned. Neither were.
And it wasn't surprising.
Because Bates and Judon each gave credit elsewhere, too.
"A lot of people just see me scoring a touchdown," Bates said. "But there's a lot that goes on throughout the whole process for us to have success. I get the glory for that one, and Judon got one, but it's a good day for our defense."
Seven points allowed set a new season-best for Atlanta.
The Giants totaled 45 yards rushing and 189 yards passing. It was the fewest yards on the ground the Falcons have allowed this season, and the sixth-fewest passing.
New York quarterback Drew Lock completed 22 of his 39 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted twice and sacked three times by Judon, inside linebacker Kaden Elliss and outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie for a loss of 21 yards. The Falcons now have 16 sacks in their last four games. They had 10 in their first 11 games.
"We're working hard," Judon said. "When it pays off, that does feel good."
Now that the defense's general success has been addressed, about those pick-sixes. They do deserve individual attention.
Bates' came first in the second quarter, as the Falcons trailed, 7-3. The Giants' offense was at the Atlanta 48-yard line facing a second-and-7 situation. Lock's pass was intended for wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson but instead found Bates, who returned it 55 yards to the end zone. It was a play that flipped the momentum and the Falcons never looked back.
"We were in Cover 3; it looks like a man," Bates said. "Tight end motioned over. (Cornerback) Dee Alford did a heck of a job being able to communicate and get us in the right call with them being in a tight bunch in that. It made us put vision on the quarterback. I think our D-line got some pressure as well. So, me just being a ball hawk and going to grab the ball out of the air, but I wouldn't be about to do it without Dee making the right call and our defensive line getting at the quarterback."
Judon's came in the third quarter, as the Falcons were up, 17-7. The Giants' offense was at their own 33-yard line, again facing a second-and-7 situation. Lock's pass was intended for wide receiver Malik Nabers but was instead tipped up by Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison. Judon caught it and ran 27 yards into the end zone.
"They ran a screen," Harrison said. "I was like, 'Oh, am I blocked?' I get my hands up, and I can't get there. I tipped it, and I was looking for it. I see Judon with the ball, and he scored. So, It's just a combination of a lot of different things."
Said Judon: "I was on the pass rush and took an inside move instead of an outside move. It was a quick throw. Zach got his hands on the ball, and it just landed on me. So, I'm really grateful. I kept thanking him the whole time until he left."
See, credit goes to the whole defense.
It was never just one player celebrating his moment alone. It was all 11 players celebrating their shared success.
"When you get in the end zone, and you're the cause of it, sometimes, you know what to do," Judon said. "Sometimes, you've been there before. Sometimes, you're a spry chicken. I had baby legs out there. I'm just happy we could get this win."
Get an inside look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during Week 16, presented by Grady.