Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons’ Jessie Bates III named NFC defensive player of the week

By
Sept 18, 2024

FLOWERY BRANCH — After a show-stopping performance Monday night against the Eagles, Falcons safety Jessie Bates III was named the NFC defensive player of the week for Week 2 by the NFL on Wednesday.

Bates led the Falcons with 12 total tackles (seven solo), one tackle for loss, two passes defensed and an interception with 19 seconds remaining that sealed the 22-21 victory.

“I’m just super thankful for the award,” Bates said. “It doesn’t happen without my teammates.”

The total of tackles matched the second-highest total of his career. Additionally, Bates’ game-sealing pick was his seventh fourth-quarter interception and 21st overall interception of his career.

Bates has now won the defensive player-of-the-week award three times.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad on Saturday in addition to safety Jammie Robinson. The Falcons also signed defensive lineman Elijah Garcia. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Falcons add defensive help up front

The Falcons signed defensive lineman Elijah Garcia on Saturday in addition to promoting cornerback Cobee Bryant and safety Jammie Robinson to the active roster.

Falcons’ defense gets a boost from the return of linebacker Divine Deablo

The Falcons (3-7) will be seeking to snap a five-game losing streak when they face the Saints (2-8) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday at Caesars Superdome.

SEC lacks first-round NFL talent in 2026 because players have not met expectations, evaluator says

Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks is returning to the field in hopes of impressing NFL scouts

The Latest

Quarterback Easton Stick, formerly of the Chargers, signed with the Falcons on April 21. He guided the team for most of the exhibition season. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Easton Stick is one play away from Falcons’ QB throne

55m ago

Cousins or what? A look at the Falcons’ QB options for 2026.

Dirty Birds Dispatch: Can Kirk Cousins save the season?

Featured

Demonstrators protest ICE raids and deportations on Buford Highway in Atlanta on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Report: Georgia unauthorized immigrant population reaches nearly 500,000

Georgia now has the nation’s sixth largest population of unauthorized immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

Atlanta airport’s troubled Concourse C food court gets new management

OHM Concession Group will take over the Atlanta airport's Concourse C food court, as well as restaurants in Concourses B and F.

What to make of Braves re-signing Raisel Iglesias, trading for Mauricio Dubón

The Braves’ two deals completed on Wednesday clarified at least a section of the team’s offseason plan.