FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are 6-3, overall, and 4-0 in divisional play as preparations begin for a road contest against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. The Saints, meanwhile, have lost their last seven games.
We'll talk more about the NFC South in a moment when I get to your questions. But first, remember to submit said questions here to be featured in an upcoming Mailbox installment.
Let's dive into those questions, shall we?
John J. from X (or the artist formerly known as Twitter)
Hey @tori_mcelhaney — now that the Bucs lost on Monday night, what does that mean for the Falcons?
Tori: In case you were living under a rock the last 24 to 48 hours, things have shifted dramatically in the NFC South. After losing in historical fashion to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints parted ways with head coach Dennis Allen on Monday morning. By Monday night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in an overtime fight with the Kansas City Chiefs, taking it down to the wire before ultimately losing to the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Here's how the NFC South standings look as Week 10 officially begins.
| Team | Overall | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 6-3 | 4-0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4-5 | 1-2 |
| Carolina Panthers | 2-7 | 1-2 |
| New Orleans Saints | 2-7 | 1-3 |
Right now, the Falcons are sitting firmly in the top spot. But what does "firmly" mean? Well, because the Falcons have already played so many divisional opponents so far in 2024, it gives them at least a little cushion to get to the end of the season on top. We know the Falcons already own the tiebreaker against Tampa Bay, which they secured in their second win against the Bucs in Week 8.
So, in theory, if the Falcons were to finish out the remaining eight games with a .500 record, the Bucs would have to go 7-1 to take the lead in the division. The Panthers would have to go undefeated, thus earning the tiebreaker against the Falcons to pass them in this scenario. After losing seven straight games, the Saints really don't have a shot, mathematically speaking.
In the last few years, the Falcons have been in contention for the top spot in the NFC South (yes, I know it doesn't feel like that in hindsight, but they were). The difference between this year and previous years is the Falcons have an opportunity to control their own destiny down the stretch of the back half of the season. In previous years, the Falcons lost some key early games to NFC opponents that made the final month of the season a toss up. That narrative can change in 2024, but only if the Falcons deem it so in the coming weeks.
David H. from Marshalltown, Iowa
While Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson and our stellar pack of WRs get a lot of press for their playmaking abilities, I have to give credit to some unsung players who need to get some love: Charlie Woerner for the key blocks and "dirty work" he does for the offense. Also, Bradley Pinion who averaged nearly 50 yards per punt against Dallas. Anyone else you see who deserves a shout-out?
Tori: I am so glad you asked, David. Mike Hughes is someone who I think deserves a bit more credit than he has gotten so far.
I think I would be the first to say I was wrong in my initial evaluation of Hughes. When we entered the 2024 offseason and Raheem Morris took over as head coach, one of the top needs I had for this team was finding a running mate for A.J. Terrell at cornerback. Morris said time and time again, though, that he really liked what the Falcons had on the roster already with Hughes and Clark Phillips III. So, free agency came and went with no movement to pick up a corner. The draft did, too. The Falcons entered training camp with Hughes and Phillips battling it out, but it was Hughes who was always slotted in with the first team.
Now that we are nine games into the season, I can fully see why. Despite the fact that he doesn't have an interception on the year, if you're not enjoying watching Hughes play, you're not watching the right guy. Because Hughes has made his presence known. He's played solid coverage time and time again; he's made some important open field tackles; he's been consistent, even as the Falcons have seen fit to give Phillips some live game reps here and there.
According to Next Gen Stats, Hughes has only allowed one touchdown across 34 pass attempts thrown into his coverage, and that score came this past week against the Dallas Cowboys. Meaning Hughes had gone eight games without giving up a touchdown. Opposing quarterbacks have an average passer rating of 90.3 against Hughes. He also has 45 tackles with 18 stops (a successful play for the defense). Again, Hughes has been someone who has flown under the radar in a position that tends to put people on an island.
Robert D. from Calhoun, Georgia
What exactly are the Falcons doing with Zach Harrison? We drafted him to be an edge rusher, but he is now slotted behind Grady Jarrett on the depth chart as a DL. Did they slide him inside to make room for Matthew Judon, and does he even have a real shot at the edge this year? I know the "edge" rushers are technically the OLBs in this defensive scheme, and they can shuffle guys around (we've even seen Grady on the edge a time or two), but I had high hopes for him this year after finishing last season with three sacks on limited playing time.
Tori: So, first off, the Falcons did not slide Harrison inside to account for the presence of Judon.
The defensive staff was already months down the road with Harrison in the interior by the time Judon was even on the roster. Moving Harrison inside stemmed from the base formation of which defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake wanted to operate out of; a 3-4 instead of the 4-3 of Ryan Neilsen. When they shifted the base, Harrison became a bit of an anomaly, body-type wise. He was too big to come off the edge in this scheme, but too small to be in the interior. So, in January, defensive line coach Jay Rodgers set a goal for Harrison to move inside. For Harrison's part, he packed on anywhere from 15-20 pounds from that point to the start of training camp.
As assistant general manager Kyle Smith said in one of his two yearly press conferences, Harrison was some that the Falcons liked enough to draft because of the fact they felt he had the frame to put on more weight and move inside if the need arose, saying "he's one of those guys who can go either way." And the coaching staff saw fit to move him inside this year, but Lake said during training camp, too, that the Falcons still believe him to be someone they can slot in inside or outside, depending on the look and call itself. So, it's not a rigid situation with Harrison. It's not like he doesn't have a "real shot" at playing edge. That's just not fundamentally his role in this scheme. For the time being, he's an inside guy who has the ability to line up outside. Think about Calais Campbell's journey through the league. He had to play inside from time to time based on the scheme and alignment. That didn't mean that he would never go back to the edge from year to year, or even play to play. Defenses are more multiple than they are stagnant. And Harrison is a good example of why that is.
Immerse yourself in the subtle drama of the Falcons-Cowboys meetup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with our monochrome snapshots from Week 9, shot on Sony.
Overall view before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 arrives before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes during the Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Kaleigh Bish/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes during the Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Kaleigh Bish/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans #43 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 and Billy Horschel before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks #35 walks out to warm ups before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 walks through the tunnel to warm ups before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Big Boi on the sideline before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 walk out from the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 prepares in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 walks out from the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 warms up before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 and Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 prepare in the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 warms up before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during warm ups before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 walks back into the locker room before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 runs out of the tunnel before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
The Marines during the national anthem before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during the National Anthem before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Train Horn Puller Big Boi before the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Bee Trofort-Wilson/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #26 carries the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 celebrates a sack during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 makes a sack during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans cheer during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 runs with the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 carries the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 runs the ball into the end zone during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Sha'Caria Richardson during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Matthew Bish/Atlanta Falcons)
Sha'Caria Richardson during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Matthew Bish/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders perform during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Bee Trofort-Wilson/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons players during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs with the ball during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
The Dirty Birds Nest during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 and defense reacts to fourth down stop during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 in the locker room after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 and Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris in the locker room after the Week 9 Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 3, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
