Spielvorschau: Kampf um den Divisionstitel gegen angeschlagene Buccaneers

Oct 24, 2024 at 01:33 PM

Fabienne Lampe

Sports Journalist and Podcaster (NFL)

Die Partie: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kickoff: 27. Oktober 2024, 18:00 Uhr (CET)

Austragungsort: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa (Florida)

Bisheriger All-Time-Record: 31-31-0

Wo ihr das Spiel gucken könnt: DAZN, NFL Game Pass International (via DAZN)

Die Ausgangslage: Die vergangene Woche stand für alle Teams der NFC South im Zeichen der Niederlagen. Durch die Niederlage der Tampa Bay Buccaneers gegen die Baltimore Ravens im Monday-Night-Game konnten die Falcons ihre Spitzenposition in der Division vorerst verteidigen. Damit das auch so bleibt, gilt es in dieser Woche in dem Divisionsduell zwischen den Falcons und den Buccaneers einen weiteren Sieg aus dem Raymond James Stadium mit nach Hause zu nehmen. Jedenfalls Head Coach Raheem Morris ist guter Dinge: "Die Jungs sind hungrig", sagte er und bekundete zudem, die Spieler der Falcons hätten in dieser Woche die Verantwortung für das übernommen, was am vergangenen Sonntag auf dem Feld passiert sei. In einem punktereichen Hinspiel zwischen den Falcons und den Buccaneers konnte Atlanta einen Sieg in der Overtime durch Wide Receiver KhaDarel Hodge sichern. Ganz nebenbei stellte Quarterback Kirk Cousins zudem mit 509 Passing Yards einen neuen Franchise-Rekord auf. Läuft das Rückspiel zumindest im Ergebnis identisch, liegen die Falcons mit vier Siegen innerhalb ihrer Division und insgesamt einer Bilanz von 5-3 weiter an der Spitze und könnten sich gegenüber Tampa Bay sogar einen kleinen Vorsprung erarbeiten.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) pulls in a 19-yard touchdown pass in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Isaiah Johnson (39) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mike Pritchard #35 during the game in Tampa Bay against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 13, 1992. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Roberto Garza #63 during the preseason game in Atlanta against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 31, 2001. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Danny Kanell #13 during the game in Atlanta against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 5, 2000.

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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Oliver Barnett #72 during the game in Tampa Bay against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 13, 1992. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Elijah Williams #25 during the preseason game in Atlanta against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 31st, 2001. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ruffin Hamilton #54 during the preseason game in Atlanta against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 9, 1997. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ken Tippins #52 during the game in Atlanta against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Craig Heyward #34 during the game in Atlanta against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 9, 1994. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Bert Emanuel #87 during the game in Tampa Bay against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 22, 1995. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Eric Metcalf #21 during the game in Tampa Bay against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 22, 1995. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates after sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

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Phelan M. Ebenhack

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) rushes for yardage past Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016. The Falcons won 43-28. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

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Phelan M. Ebenhack

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) celebrates his touchdown catch with team members against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Falcons player during the game in Atlanta against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 31, 1993. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Jerious Norwood (32) scores a touchdown in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Sabby Piscitelli (21) while offensive tackle Justin Blalock (63) celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta.Sunday Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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John Amis/AP2009

* CORRECTS NAME TO THOMAS JOHNSON INSTEAD OF CHAUNCEY DAVIS * Atlanta Falcons' Thomas Johnson celebrates after Atlanta defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 in an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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John Bazemore/2009 AP

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown #81 during the game on December 20, 2020.

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Andre Rison #80 during the game in Tampa Bay against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 13, 1992. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) stays in-bounds as he runs in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

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Brian Blanco/AP2009

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Atlanta Falcons running back Jerious Norwood (32) reacts with teammate Eric Weems (14) after scoring in the first half of their NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. Norwood scored on the play. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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Dave Martin

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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Scott Case #25 during the game in Atlanta against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 31, 1993. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (83) leaps over Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Justin Evans (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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John Amis

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Der Gegner: Die Buccaneers stehen nach sieben Wochen ebenso wie die Falcons bei vier Siegen und drei Niederlagen. Aufgrund ihres Spiels am vergangenen Montag kommen die Buccaneers aus keiner kurzen Woche mit wenig Erholung. Daneben muss das Team um Signal Caller Baker Mayfield zwei erhebliche Ausfälle kompensieren: Wide Receiver Chris Godwin erlitt im letzten Spiel einen ausgerenkten Knöchel und wird sich einer Operation unterziehen müssen, die das Saison-Aus bedeutet. Daneben wird auch Wide Receiver Mike Evans das Spiel aufgrund einer Oberschenkelverletzung einige Wochen von der Seitenlinie aus beobachten müssen. "Diese Jungs sind schwer zu ersetzen", sagte Morris über den Verlust von Evans und Godwin bei den Buccaneers. Daneben sagte er, die Falcons könnten trotz der Abwesenheit der beiden nicht lockerlassen, denn jemand anderes werde an ihrer Stelle stehen und einspringen und Baker Mayfield werde einen freien Mann finden. Mit 3 Touchdowns und 370 Passing Yards im Spiel gegen die Ravens hat Mayfield trotz Niederlage gerade wieder gezeigt, dass er seinen zweiten Football-Frühling zu erleben scheint. Daneben sind die Buccaneers aktuell in den Top-5, was erzielte Punkte pro Spiel anbelangt. Players-to-Watch werden in dem Spiel in jedem Fall Tight End Cade Otton, Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan und die beiden Running Backs Rachaad White und Bucky Irving sein, die es durch Atlantas Defensive zu stoppen gilt.

Die Falcons: Hungrig ist das Team in die Vorbereitung auf das bevorstehende Spiel gegangen. "Nächste Woche kann nicht schnell genug kommen", sagte Safety Justin Simmons nach dem verlorenen Spiel gegen die Seattle Seahawks. Doch neben dem Training haben die Falcons in dieser Woche auch die jährliche "Hometown Huddle"-Gemeinschaftsveranstaltung begleitet und dabei rund 1000 Boxen für die Hurrikan-Hilfe gepackt. Eine gute Möglichkeit zu helfen und gleichzeitig auch neben dem Platz als Team wieder zu einer Einheit zusammenzufinden. Denn mit dem Divisionsrivalen kommt kein leichter Gegner auf Atlanta zu, sondern ein Team, das gerne und vor allem viele Punkte in einem Spiel erzielt. Dagegen liegt die Defensive der Falcons aktuell auf Platz 22 im Hinblick auf erlaubte Punkte pro Spiel. An dieser Stellschraube müssen Morris und Defensive Coordinator Jimmy Lake nebst Staff zwingend drehen. Vor allem müssen sie Atlantas Pass Rush endlich in Gang bringen, der derzeit zu harmlos wirkt, konnte Seahawks-Quarterback Geno Smith am vergangenen Wochenende im gesamten Spiel nur einmal gesackt werden. Aber auch die Offensive muss zwingend mehr Punkte erzielen und die Schwachstelle der Buccaneers – nämlich deren Defensivleistung aus dem vergangenen Spiel – ausnutzen. Fünf zugelassene Touchdowns durch Tampas Defense im Spiel gegen die Ravens – das sollte auch das Ziel von Cousins und seiner Offense sein. Angry-Runs durch Running Back Tyler Allgeier und eine saubere Pocket-Arbeit des Signals Callers Cousins, um insbesondere go-to Guy Drake London zu bedienen und in die Endzone gelangen zu lassen: so lautet der Schlüssel zum Erfolg gegen Tampa Bay.

Gut zu wissen: Seit 1990 haben es 64,1 Prozent der Teams, die nach acht Wochen 5-3 standen in die Playoffs geschafft, 4-4-Teams nur zu 32 Prozent. Die Statistik zeigt: Ein Sieg in Tampa ist unabdingbar. Doch auch die US-Experten sind guter Dinge. Die Game-Preview-Picks setzen zu 100 Prozent auf Atlanta. Und wir auch! Rise Up, Falcons Fans und nicht vergessen: Aufgrund der Zeitumstellung beginnt das Spiel der Falcons an diesem Sonntag ausnahmsweise bereits um 18:00 Uhr!

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 and Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 and Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes #21 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Eddie Goldman #99 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)

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