Falcons' Defense Sets Record That Even Jeff Ulbrich Must Be Surprised By in Week 12 Win
The Atlanta Falcons' pass rush has drastically improved from last season, and a record-breaking game proved that. During the dominant Week 12 victory over the rival Saints, the Dirty Birdssacked Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough five times in the 24-10 road victory.
This game finished the first four-game stretch in Falcons' history with 22 or more sacks. For context, the mighty Buffalo Bills have four sacks over the last month. And the entire pass-rush renaissance in Atlanta has been spearheaded by Jeff Ulbrich's schematics and a burgeoning young defensive line.
Across the last month, first-round rookies James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker combined for a strong 7.5 sacks during that time frame. Pearce and Walker have greatly improved the pass rush, especially over the previous four weeks, but they're not alone in their contributions.
The Falcons' pass rush has started to shatter some franchise records
With Zach Harrison now on IR, second-year defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus has quietly stepped up, logging 1.5 of his 4.5 sacks against the Saints, while LaCale London has four over the last four games. And Dorlus has managed to make some franchise history of his own as of late.
Last season, head coach Raheem Morris emphasized increasing sack totals with Jimmy Lake as the defensive coordinator. A disappointing season, which totaled 31 sacks and 1.8 per game, Lake was fired, and Ulbrich was appointed his successor.
Currently, the Falcons are third in the league in sacks, with 39, their most since 2023. At this rate, Atlanta is on pace to best the team record of 55 sacks from 1997. Even if they don't go that far, they'll likely be in the top 3 all-time. The drastic improvement happened quite quickly under Ulbrich's leadership, and fans are thrilled.
The Falcons have never been an elite pressure franchise, but they are starting to turn it around. The team hasn't been in the top 10 in sacks in decades, and the last time they had an elite pass rusher was John Abraham's 16.5 in 2008. Hiring Ulbrich was a strong start, but the Falcons also spent rounds 2-5 of the 2024 NFL Draft stocking up on talent that can hunt quarterbacks.
On top of that, the Falcons spent heavy draft capital again, using two first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on elite edge rushers to aid the quest. The Falcons still don't boast a superstar edge rusher, but they garner production from all over the defense as Atlanta has six players with at least three sacks this season.
While the improvement isn't shocking, improvement to this degree certainly is. Fans will certainly take it, as the defense has improved drastically all over since last season. Unfortunately, defense isn't the only requirement to win championships, and the Falcons are not 4-7.
With a few winnable games down the stretch, the defense could make it interesting, but fans may have to settle for just a good defense in 2025 before things turn great in 2026.
Steph Curry Puts ‘Everybody On Alert’ With His Actions in Warriors Win
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry paid homage to Michael Jordan and Sabrina Ionescu during his team’s 134-117 win over the
First, Curry donned Air Jordan XII while arriving at Chase Center, paying tribute to Jordan’s famous “flu game” when the Chicago Bulls legend overcame flu-like symptoms and dropped 38 points against the Jazz in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
Curry then switched to Air Jordan 14 during his pregame warmups.
Curry in the “Last Shot” Air Jordan 14s is something I never thought we’d see 🔥
Steph is now warming up in a pair of Jordan 14s 🔥
Curry would finally switch to WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu’s Nike Sabrina 3 during the game, in which he dropped 31 points to extend his 30-game winning streak to three. According to
Steph Curry Explains His Moves
Curry, who parted ways with Under Armour earlier this month, has been donning sneakers of high-profile athletes, especially during pregame warmups, since becoming a sneaker free agent.
After Monday’s win, he explained why he honored Jordan and Ionescu.
“I brought out the Flu Games and the Final Shots and then played in the Sabrina 3s.
“Everybody should be on alert. I’m calling everybody. Trying to get some good product,” Curry said of his intentional sneaker choices,
“I brought out the (Jordan) Flu Games and the Final Shots and then played in the Sabrina 3s. Everybody should be on alert. I’m calling everybody. Trying to get some good product.”
Steph Curry on his ‘intentional’ sneaker selection 👀
Steph Curry’s Sneaker Tour
Curry started his sneaker free agency by rocking “Mambacita” Nike Kobe 6 during his pregame routine on Nov. 14, paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant and Gigi Bryant.
The four-time champion cited “new beginnings” while explaining his decision, but had a specific reason for honoring the “Black Mamba” at the start of his free agency.
“The idea of what he meant,” Curry said of Bryant. “I talk about Kobe a lot, and that specific pair, I think it speaks for itself for what it means.”
Curry revealed he split with Under Armour as the decision was “in the best interest of both parties,” while leaving the door open for him to start his own brand down the line.
“You know, the sneaker industry is difficult, and like I said, things change over time,” he said, via via Mercury News.
“You give your best effort to create something sustainable, and it’s a little disappointing, knowing how it turned out based on where Curry Brand has been the last five years, and the announcement we had two years ago.
“I think its the right thing for everybody, and for me to be able to take the opportunity with Curry Brand, and what we’ve done in the community, what we’ve done from Standing for something, changing the game for good, and hopefully having something to show for it down the road, I’m excited about that.”
According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Kim Bhasin and Randall Williams, Curry’s decision to leave Under Armour may have been influenced by the sneaker brand’s unwillingness to outbid Nike in their pursuit to land WNBA megastar Caitlin Clark.
“One sore point for Curry was the attempt last year to recruit Caitlin Clark to join his brand,” read the Bloomberg report.
