Falcons kicker Matt Bryant, who made 14 of 14 field goals and was 6 of 6 beyond 40 yards over Games 9 through 12, was named to Pro Football Focus’ all-third quarter team.
Cornerback Desmond Trufant, who had a strong third quarter, was selected as an honorable mention pick by the respected film reveiw-based analytics website.
New England cornerback Darrelle Revis and Minnesota’s Xavier Rhodes were the two cornerbacks named to the team. Denver’s Chris Harris Jr. was named honorable mention with Trufant.
After the collapse in London against Detroit, the Falcons were 2-6 at the halfway point of the season. They went 3-1 over the third quarter to keep their division title and playoff hopes alive.
It was their first winning quarter since the third quarter of the 2012 season when they went 3-1.
The finished the 2012 season 2-2. Last season, they were 1-3 in each quarter of the season on their way to a 4-12 record.
This season, they opened 2-2 before going 0-4 in the second quarter of the season.
Over the final quarter of the season, the Falcons play at Green Bay (9-3) on Monday, host Pittsburgh (7-5) on Dec. 14, at New Orleans (5-7) on Dec. 21 and host Carolina (3-8-1) on Dec. 28.
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