Atlanta Falcons: Studs and duds vs. Rams in Week 7

Stud: Deion Jones

Deion Jones was definitely a bright spot within an Atlanta defense that has struggled mightily throughout the course of the entire season leading up to this point. The linebacker finished the contest on Sunday with a total of 11 tackles, including nine solo tackles to record team-best marks in both of those categories. Jones was also able to record three tackles for loss in the game.

In a contest where the Falcons gave up 37 points to a team in the Rams who have struggled on offense coming into the game in Week 7, Jones was one of the players that performed well in the loss.

Dud: Falcons running game

In the loss, Atlanta managed to rush for just 38 yards on the ground on a total of 15 rush attempts. While averaging just 2.5 yards per rush attempt on the ground, the Falcons running back group was also held out of the endzone throughout the course of the matchup.

Devonta Freeman, who was ejected in the game after throwing a punch in an argument, led the way for the Falcons in the rushing attack, managing to rush for a total of 19 yards on seven carries, averaging 2.7 yards per attempt in the defeat.

Generally, when Atlanta’s running game doesn’t perform up to par in any given game, that means the Falcons’ passing game is thriving and Matt Ryan and company are rolling through the air in the contest. But on Sunday, with the passing game not really working all that well against Los Angeles, the running game matched that in struggling against the Rams.