The Falcons intercepted Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston twice in the first half of Sunday’s game, but they weren’t able to capitalize, eventually losing by double-digits.
Cornerback Desmond Trufant picked off Winston on his first pass attempt, and the QB smartly started looking elsewhere. While Winston would throw for 313 yards and three touchdowns, Trufant wasn’t the issue, as he mostly held WR Mike Evans in check.
Pro Football Focus gave Atlanta’s top corner the highest coverage grade of anyone in the league for Week 12. Trufant received a 91.2 grade, the second-best coverage rating of his career:
Desmond Trufant's elite coverage grade yesterday of 91.2 was the highest among all defensive players thus far in week 12.
This was also Trufant's highest coverage grade since Week 12 of 2013 (his rookie season) when he recorded a 91.6 grade against New Orleans. #Falcons pic.twitter.com/sqkumAXQ8d
— PFF ATL Falcons (@PFF_Falcons) November 26, 2019
The Falcons have a quick turnaround this week, taking on the Saints this Thursday in the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day prime-time game. Atlanta opened Week 13 as a 6.5-point underdog to New Orleans.
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