After winning their first two games of the season, the Falcons suffered a 20-6 loss to the Lions in Week 3. Atlanta was thoroughly outplayed by Detroit on Sunday, and the game offered a bit of a reality check.
The Falcons are still in good shape at 2-1, but they struggled on offense and had trouble slowing Lions QB Jared Goff on defense. Even in an ugly loss, there were a few players that stood out for different reasons. Here are your studs and duds from Week 3.
Stud: Kaden Elliss
Kaden Elliss has been a force as a downhill tackler. The former Saints linebacker blew up Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, and later provided a critical third-down stop in a short-yardage situation. Elliss finished second on the team with 10 tackles in Week 3 and continues to play well for Atlanta.
Kaden Elliss 👀
📺 FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/aQWiR359k0
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 24, 2023
Dud: Entire Falcons offensive line
You can pound the table all you want on Desmond Ridder, but the Falcons’ pass protection has been poor across the board all season, and even more so against the Lions. There’s truly not much you can do when your quarterback isn’t getting enough time to distribute the football. Is this a personnel issue, or is it on the coaches? Allowing seven sacks is embarrassing for all involved. Ridder has to get rid of it on a few of those, but the pass blocking was atrocious on Sunday.
Stud: Jessie Bates
Jessie Bates is too talented to be a part of this Falcons defense, Without his interceptions in Week 1, it’s doubtful Atlanta would have won that game. His interception of Jared Goff could’ve had the same effect, but the offense couldn’t take advantage of the situation. Bates accounted for six tackles and an additional pass breakup.
Dud: Richie Grant
Richie Grant getting burned by Lions tight end Sam LaPorta gave Detroit the advantage early, and one they would never relinquish. Grant just completely whiffed on the coverage and failed to make up for it at any point of the game thereafter.
Tough dots for Richie Grant (No. 27) on Sam LaPorta's touchdown.@NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/twVf87V1Cq
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 24, 2023
WATCH: Desmond Ridder on loss to Lions
WATCH: Arthur Smith on loss to Lions
WATCH: Full Week 3 game recap
Falcons Twitter reacts to Week 3 loss
#Falcons fans furious over poor offensive showing in Sunday’s 20-6 loss to the Lions https://t.co/rNziL2pEo4
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 24, 2023
Twitter reacts to Falcons’ 1st loss
London says Falcons got punched in face
