ATL Standard

Jessie Bates III, a safety for the Atlanta Falcons, acknowledged his subpar performance against the Minnesota Vikings last week. The Falcons' secondary allowed five touchdowns and 318 passing yards in that game. Reflecting on the match, Bates admitted there were several plays he could have prevented and accepted responsibility.

"Sometimes this game can humble you very fast," Bates stated. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and not becoming complacent despite setbacks.

The Vikings boast a strong passing offense, ranked seventh in the league with an average of 238.2 yards per game. Assistant head coach Jerry Gray compared the secondary's struggles to Space Jam, suggesting they lost their ability to make plays despite being in position.

Looking ahead, Atlanta faces another challenge in Week 15 against rookie tight end Brock Bowers of the Raiders. Bowers leads all rookies with 933 receiving yards and 87 receptions and ranks fifth overall among NFL receivers.

"He's one of a kind," Bates remarked about Bowers. "You always got to know where he's at, and I'm excited to go against him for sure."

Despite a nine-game losing streak, Bowers has been a standout player for the Raiders. He has recorded four touchdowns during this period and surpassed 100 receiving yards twice, including a career-high 140 yards in Week 13.

Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake described Bowers as "a matchup nightmare," highlighting his size and agility as advantages over most defenders.

Meanwhile, Atlanta's pass rush has improved significantly, recording nine sacks in the past two games after only ten prior to Week 13. Bates expressed urgency for the secondary to match this level of play by generating turnovers.

"We should be excited...we need more turnovers on defense," Bates said. He stressed the importance of communication and attention to detail within the defensive unit.

Gray advised Bates to concentrate on his role without overextending himself on the field: "They don't give you two checks, just do one job."

As they prepare for their upcoming game against Bowers and the Raiders, maintaining focus remains crucial for both Bates and his teammates.