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Falcons Stock Report: Risers, Fallers After Win vs. Cowboys

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Falcons Stock Report: Risers, Fallers After Win vs. Cowboys


The Atlanta Falcons are rolling, as their 27-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium marking their fifth win in the last six games.

After a 1-2 start, the Falcons are 6-3 — along with 4-0 in the NFC South — and in control of their own playoff destiny.

Here’s a look at the Falcons’ stock report, with who’s rising and falling after a crucial home win …

The Coaching Staff

Give flowers to Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake.

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The Falcons have won seven games each of the past three seasons and five of the last six years. Morris, from his culture-aiding charisma to his player-drawing reputation, has helped flipped the script in 10 months.

His fourth down aggression netted the Falcons a touchdown, as quarterback Kirk Cousins hit receiver Darnell Mooney for a 36-yard score that ultimately proved crucial in a 6-point victory. Cousins attributed Atlanta’s different culture and, at least partially, its fourth down success to Morris.

Robinson, meanwhile, drew praise from Morris for calling another strong game. The Falcons punted five times, but they averaged 5.5 yards per play and scored four touchdowns in a seven-drive stretch during the middle of Sunday’s game that helped make Atlanta’s lead insurmountable.

And Lake, after much criticism surrounding a softer approach and lack of pass rush, had his best performance of the season. The Cowboys totaled 378 net yards and rushed for a season-high 137 yards, but the Falcons forced three punts and four turnovers on downs.

Dallas went just 3-of-13 on third down and 1-of-5 on fourth down.

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Pass Rush — and a variety of contributors

The Falcons had a league-low six sacks entering Sunday. They had three alone against the Cowboys to go along with eight quarterback hits.

Morris pointed to new life on Atlanta’s pass rush, as outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone played his first defensive action of the season Sunday and defensive tackle Kentavius Street was active for the first time since Week 4.

Neither Malone nor Street recorded any sacks or tackles for loss, though Malone had a pair of tackles. However, outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie came to life, registering three quarterback hits and one sack. Linebacker Kaden Elliss had the same numbers.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett added one sack, while fellow defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham secured a quarterback hit.

The Cowboys trailed for the entire second half and were forced into obvious passing situations, making Atlanta’s life easier — but unlike weeks past, the Falcons capitalized, delivering their best pass rushing performance this season.

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RB Bijan Robinson

Atlanta’s playmaking young runner had his fourth consecutive day with over 100 yards from scrimmage, rushing 19 times for 86 yards while catching a team-high seven passes for 59 yards.

Robinson accounted for 145 scrimmage yards, 46.8% of Atlanta’s 310-yard output.

Team Health

The Falcons ruled out a pair of stars due to injuries, as receiver Drake London suffered a hip pointer on his nine-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett strained his Achilles during the third quarter.

Jarrett’s exit was ruled a precaution, but Morris had no update on either player’s status postgame.

TE Kyle Pitts

After a strong month of October during which he made 21 receptions for 314 yards and two scores, Pitts saw only one target in Sunday’s game. He caught it for a nine-yard gain, but failed to record any other stats.

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Pitts also lost a pass blocking snap to Cowboys pass rusher Carl Lawson, who strip sacked Cousins and forced Atlanta’s lone turnover.

Special Teams

There were highs and lows for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams’ unit.

Falcons return specialist Avery Williams opted not to catch a punt around his own 10-yard line, instead letting the ball hit the turf and bounce toward the goal line. The Cowboys downed the ball at the 1-yard line, putting Atlanta’s offense behind the 8-ball.

Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin had a pair of long punt returns, including gains of 16 and 18 yards.

Still, the unit had a few positives, as jammer Natrone Brooks knocked down Cowboys punter Bryan Anger’s pass on a fake, and Pitts jumped on kicker Brandon Aubrey’s onside kick try late in the fourth quarter, effectively sealing Atlanta’s victory.

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Atlanta weather: Foggy Monday morning, warming trend ahead

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Atlanta weather: Foggy Monday morning, warming trend ahead


Winter’s roller-coaster temperatures are climbing back up the hill this week, with another drop expected next week.

Patchy fog could affect the start of the workweek across parts of north and central Georgia, followed by a rapid warmup that may push temperatures close to record levels before a sharp cooldown by the weekend, according to the FOX 5 Storm Team. 

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How warm will it get this week?

By the numbers:

Monday is expected to look similar to Sunday, with filtered sunshine and mild temperatures. “Tomorrow looks very similar to today’s, mostly sunny, a bit mild,” FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Greg Majewski said, with highs generally in the low to mid-60s.

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The warming trend strengthens as the week continues. Overnight lows will rise into the 40s and near 50, followed by daytime highs climbing into the upper 60s and low 70s by midweek. “The trend is going to be going upward here for the week,” Majewski said.

Several days in the 70s are possible, bringing temperatures close to record territory. “We’re hitting the 70s here three days in a row,” he said. “This is going to get awfully close to the record high.”

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Rain chances remain limited early in the week, though Majewski said a weak boundary could bring “a couple of isolated showers” late Tuesday. More meaningful rain is expected later in the week as a stronger system approaches.

By Friday night into Saturday, showers and thunderstorms could move through the area, followed by a dramatic cooldown. “Here comes the rain coming in on Friday, kind of late,” Majewski said, adding that colder air will move in behind the system.

How cold will it get this weekend?

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What’s next:

Temperatures are expected to fall sharply by Sunday. “Boom. 51, 37,” Majewski said. “Much colder Sunday.”

That cold snap could bring another return to winterlike mornings early next week. “That means that Monday morning we’ll probably see the twenties back in here yet again,” he said. “So the roller-coaster ride of our winter continues here across Georgia.”

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The Source: This article contains an original forecast by the FOX 5 Storm Team. The National Weather Service contributed to this report.

WeatherNewsGeorgia



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Braves News: NBP pieces falling into place, slow market, more

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Braves News: NBP pieces falling into place, slow market, more


Well the NBP posted players all seem to be settled now, with Imai and Okamoto having signed with an MLB club and Takahashi returning to the NBP. Those players do not seem to have sparked movement in the overall market, either in free agency or in trades, at least so far, as this offseason continues to be glacial. Hopefully things pick up a bit as we get more separation from the holidays. The Braves still seem to be motivated to make a big addition, but this front office has shown that the right deal has to be there for them to pull the trigger.



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Police investigating stabbing on Moreland Avenue in SE Atlanta

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Police investigating stabbing on Moreland Avenue in SE Atlanta


A man was stabbed Saturday in southeast Atlanta, according to police.

What we know:

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According to Atlanta police, officers responded to the 400 block of Moreland Avenue SE to reports of a male who had been stabbed. Investigators believe a female and male were involved in a dispute that resulted in the stabbing.

What we don’t know:

Police did not identify the male or female.

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No word yet on charges.

The Source: Information provided by the Atlanta Police Department.

SE AtlantaCrime and Public Safety
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