Our photographers have combed through thousands of their photos and selected the very best images from the Associated Press from Sunday's win over the Buccaneers to feature in this Best of Gameday gallery.
WR Julio Jones battles through the Buccaneers' defense
DE Osi Umenyiora sacks Buccaneers' QB Josh McCown
WR Roddy White comes down with the ball
LB Paul Worrilow makes a flying grab onto Buccaneers RB Bobby Rainey
WR Julio Jones is too quick for Bucs LB Lavonte David
LB Paul Worrilow and DE Kroy Biermann combine on a tackle
QB Matt Ryan
WR Julio Jones leaps over Buccaneers S Major Wright
RB Antone Smith throws the stiff-arm
RB Steven Jackson leaves the Bucs behind him
S Kemal Ishmael grabs an interception to seal the win for the Falcons
QB Matt Ryan
WR Roddy White celebrates with T Ryan Schraeder and TE Levine Toilolo
DE Kroy Biermann takes down Bucs QB Josh McCown
WR Harry Douglas completes the two-point conversion
K Matt Bryant and P Matt Bosher
WR Roddy White
RB Steven Jackson finds a whole through the Buccaneers defense
S Kemal Ishmael and CB Robert Alford tackle Buccaneers WR Mike Evans
WR Roddy White celebrates his touchdown with T Ryan Schraeder
LB Joplo Bartu takes down Bucs QB Josh McCown
RB Steven Jackson
CB Robert Alford defends against a pass in the end zone
Falcons head coach, Mike Smith, shakes hands with Buccaneers head coach, Lovie Smith
If the NFL was taking a poll for strongest last names in the National Football League, James Stone would have to be a rock-solid nominee. The rookie center's play has been put to the test against dominant defensive lines in the last couple of outings and he consistently withstood each challenge.
Stone's starting debut in Week 8 against Detroit was overshadowed by a late holding penalty called against him in the fourth quarter of the 22-21 loss. Unshaken, the former Tennessee star took full responsibility for the mistake and utilized the support of his teammates, including quarterback Matt Ryan, who has expressed confidence in Stone's ability from Day 1.
"That meant a lot," Stone said of Ryan. "He's the leader of this offense and the leader of this team. I feel like I owe it to him, because I see how much work he puts in and how much he puts into his craft, so I try to give him and the entire team my best game possible."
Following the loss in London, Stone continued working on his game in the team's Week 9 bye, mentally preparing and staying active. He showcased his efforts against a Bucs defensive front, keeping Ryan clean and playing penalty-free football for all four quarters of the 27-17 win.
Falcons head coach Mike Smith says the center position is "probably the most cerebral position on the offensive line," adding that Stone's play has improved with each game. The more reps he gets, the more progress fans can expect to see from the strong-named center who is embracing the huge responsibility of mastering such a vital spot on the line.
