Despite the emphasis on the run game for both the Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts, much of this week’s intrigue centers on matchups in the passing game. If both teams are successful in getting
Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor going, a deciding factor in Sunday’s outcome could rest on which of these intriguing pass-game matchups goes their way.
However, despite an immense amount of intrigue, rules stipulate that only five Falcons can be named.
Drake London
Coming on the heels of a three-touchdown performance, Falcons wide receiver Drake London will have to square off against one of the NFL’s best young cornerbacks in Sauce Gardner. With the Colts acquiring Gardner via a trade with the New York Jets earlier this week and expectations that he’ll play on Sunday, London could see another difficult challenge.
Despite his hat trick of scores last Sunday, few of London’s successes came against Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Like Gonzalez, Gardner is a long, physical corner that can mix it up against London at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. The last time London and Gardner squared off, London was held to one catch against the Jets in 2023. The Falcons will need a far more productive effort from London this Sunday if they expect to win.
Kyle Hinton
This weekend, Kyle Hinton steps in for an injured Matthew Bergeron at left guard and will need to help carry the burden of reinvigorating a struggling Falcons’ run game. The team’s inability to jump-start its ground attack has been central to its recent three-game losing streak. The team has shown an unusual confidence in Hinton’s abilities as a backup since joining the team in 2023.
What they need from him is similar to what they got from current starting center Ryan Neuzil the past few years when he started games in place of an injured Drew Dalman. Neuzil handled those duties well enough to replace Dalman when the latter departed via free agency in March. Nobody expects Hinton to swipe Bergeron’s job in the future, but getting steady, stable play in the present could do wonders to help the Falcons’ run game get back on track.
Billy Bowman
The Falcons will at least get some injury relief on defense with the healthy return of nickel cornerback Billy Bowman this week. Hopefully, Bowman can provide a shot of adrenaline to the Falcons’ defense, similar to how his fellow 2025 draftee Jalon Walker did in his breakout game last week after a two-game absence.
Bowman will be facing Colts’ slot receiver Josh Downs, who has caught a touchdown in each of the past three weeks.
Ronnie Harrison & JD Bertrand
Hybrid safety/linebacker Ronnie Harrison saw increased snaps last week as the Falcons used their “big nickel” defense instead of base to match up against the Patriots’ heavy personnel groupings. In contrast, linebacker JD Bertrand saw all the snaps in the true nickel subpackage when the Patriots were in “11” personnel with three wide receivers. The Colts use “11” more often, which will force the Falcons to decide whether they want Bertrand out there for more plays this week. Given Bertrand’s recent struggles, especially with coverage, the obvious choice is to limit his opportunities to see the field. This week, the coverage assignments won’t get easier thanks to the presence of rookie tight end Tyler Warren.
However, will that mean more opportunities for Ronnie Harrison, or will the Falcons turn to someone else? If they do, the obvious alternative to Bertrand is veteran linebacker Josh Woods, who Falcons head coach Raheem Morris praised this week as a practice standout. Whether Harrison, Bertrand, or Woods, the Falcons continue to turn over the committee, hoping to fill the void left by injured linebacker Divine Deablo.
Can you name any more Atlanta Falcons?
