Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. made their presences felt in Week 9.
The Atlanta Falcons lost their third consecutive game in Week 9, falling to 3-5 on the season after their 24-23 loss to the New England Patriots. There were some bright spots in Sunday’s game, though. Falcons rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. teamed up to turn the momentum late in the first half.
Walker broke through the line of scrimmage for a strip-sack of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Pearce was there to scoop up the fumble and take it all the way to the opposing six-yard line. Michael Penix Jr. connected with Drake London for a touchdown a few seconds later and the Falcons went to halftime trailing by seven.
Atlanta ultimately missed a potential game-tying extra point in the fourth quarter, but the team at least showed fight in coming back from a 21-7 deficit. So how did the Falcons’ two first-round picks grade out this week? Pro Football Focus broke down both rookie performances in Sunday’s loss.
Jalon Walker Week 9 PFF grade: 72.1
Walker recorded two sacks of Drake Maye this week that partially fueled his season-high 79.1 PFF pass-rush grade. Those plays accounted for two of his four pressures against the Patriots. He also batted down a key pass late in the fourth quarter to create a desperately needed third-down stop. Aside from a coverage rep where he was unfairly matched up with wide receiver Demario Douglas, Walker had one of his better days of the season. — Dalton Wasserman
Walker had the kind of game that Falcons fans imagined when he fell into the team’s lap at pick No. 15. Despite his injuries this season, Walker has looked like a potential game-changer when healthy. As for Pearce, he recorded a lower PFF grade but still had an impact in Week 9.
James Pearce Jr. Week 9 PFF grade: 52.7
Pearce recorded three hurries in the Falcons’ loss to the Patriots, one of which forced Drake Maye into an inaccurate throw downfield. None of his wins were particularly dominant, which helps explain his middling 64.3 PFF pass-rush grade. The highlight of his day was a fumble recovery toward the end of the first half that he nearly returned for a touchdown. –– Dalton Wasserman
Safety Xavier Woods finished with the team’s third-highest defensive PFF grade (68.9) in Week 10. He also earned a coverage grade of 70.1, which was the highest by any member of Atlanta’s defense. Watts has been one of the team’s most consistent defenders from week to week.
Falcons fourth-round pick Billy Bowman Jr. did not play against the Patriots, but head coach Raheem Morris said he expects to have the rookie back in time for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.
