Snap counts always are cheerier when your team wins. Let’s jump in with glad hearts.
Offense
QB Michael Penix Jr.: 67
LT Jake Matthews: 67
LG Matthew Bergeron: 67
C Ryan Neuzil: 67
RG Chris Lindstrom: 67
RT Jawaan Taylor: 67
RB Bijan Robinson: 54
WR Drake London: 54
TE Charlie Woerner: 48
WR Jahan Dotson: 37
TE Kyle Pitts: 37
TE Austin Hooper: 28
WR Zachariah Branch: 23
TE Nick Muse: 21
WR Chris Blair: 18
RB Khalil Herbert: 11
C Corey Levin: 3
G Kyle Hinton: 1
Without Olamide Zaccheaus, Branch and Blair both got decent-sized
looks. Branch continues to be dynamic with the ball in his hands, even if his opportunities are limited, while Blair is a superb blocking option at wide receiver when called upon.
The story of this game, though, was a story of tight ends. Seeking more blocking against San Francisco’s ferocious front, the Falcons leaned on all four of their tight ends and got all four involved in the passing game, with Muse and Pitts each catching a touchdown, Woerner making a nice grab and getting a sneak for a first down, and Hooper making his presence known as well. The Falcons are at their best when they can utilize their tight ends in a way defenses don’t expect, and Tommy Rees and company certainly did that Sunday.
Beyond the bedrock guys, the Falcons have shown they’re willing to mix things up, and I expect that to continue. Whether Branch has overtaken Zaccheaus as the third receiver is anyone’s guess at the moment, though.
Defense
ILB Kendal Daniels: 66
CB A.J. Terrell: 65
S Jessie Bates: 64
S Xavier Watts: 63
CB C.J. Henderson: 63
ILB Harold Perkins Jr.: 56
DL Gervon Dexter Sr.: 43
OLB Cameron Thomas: 41
DL Brandon Dorlus: 40
DL Maason Smith: 37
S/CB Sydney Brown: 32
DL LaCale London: 29
DL Jared Ivey: 19
OLB Drake Jackson: 18
OLB Charles Snowden: 17
CB Mike Hughes: 17
DL Zach Harrison: 16
OLB Samson Ebukam: 16
ILB Josh Woods: 13
OLB Za’Darius Smith: 11
There it is: Even without Avieon Terrell available for this one, Mike Hughes has been demoted out of the starting lineup. He made a couple of big plays today in his reduced role, which was nice to see, but it looks like Sydney Brown and Avieon Terrell may split nickel reps while A.J. Terrell and C.J. Henderson play outside. The Falcons could mix and match based on matchup, too, but after the first six weeks it’s a justified move that might stick. Hughes being able to rotate in on early downs when the Falcons need a boost against the run either outside or inside makes him a very valuable reserve.
In his first action as a Falcon, Snowden got two pressures, and he and Jackson (recently promoted to the 53 man roster) had larger roles than I would have expected. We’re nearing a return for James Pearce Jr., which will cost one or both their roster spots, but it’s good to have more options to keep everyone in the EDGE group as fresh as possible. Except for Cameron Thomas, of course, because he’s going to play an outlandish number of snaps every single game, apparently.
Daniels leading the team in snaps after being carted off the field last week and playing that well blows my mind. Truly special Sunday for him.
Special teams
Nick Muse: 20
DeMarcco Hellams: 17
Mike Ford: 17
Josh Woods: 17
Charlie Woerner: 13
Nick Folk: 12
Christian Harris: 11
Chris Blair: 11
Brian Asamoah: 11
Zach Harrison: 10
Xavier Watts: 9
Liam McCullough: 9
Jake Bailey: 9
Sydney Brown: 7
Harold Perkins Jr.: 6
Ethan Onianwa: 6
Kendal Daniels: 6
Matthew Bergeron: 6
Ryan Neuzil: 6
Corey Levin: 6
Jake Matthews: 6
Khalil Herbert: 5
Zachariah Branch: 4
Austin Hooper: 4
Maason Smith: 3
Robert Longerbeam: 3
Gervon Dexter Sr.: 3
LaCale London: 3
Jessie Bates: 3
Mike Hughes: 3
Jahan Dotson: 1
I would wager that Herbert did enough for the Falcons to seriously consider making him their full-time third running back and promote him to the roster, if they can free up a spot. He was useful on offense and did solid work on kick returns, a combination that makes him valuable insurance for the Robinsons. Even if he’s just on the practice squad, we likely haven’t seen the last of him in 2026.
Three more missed tackles on special teams this week, with one from DeMarcco Hellams—easy to forgive when he had two good tackles and an assist—and both Chris Blair and Christian Harris. The latter is still young and experienced enough to be a factor down the line, but with Divine Deablo on the team, Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. thriving, and Josh Woods ahead of him and Asamoah lurking, Harris can’t afford any special teams miscues.
