FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons safety Jessie Bates III was named the NFC defensive player of the week Wednesday.

Bates had a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown and a big forced fumble in the Falcons’ 24-15 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Bates also had 12 total tackles and one pass defensed. The Falcons scored 14 points off Bates’ two takeaways. Bates is tied for the third most interceptions in the NFL this season. He’s behind Dallas’ Daron Bland (six) and Baltimore’s Geno Stone (five).

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

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Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

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