Tag: Nate Landman

5 Falcons players to watch in Week 13 vs. Chargers

The Falcons have several dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball that could present problems for the Chargers in Week 13.

The Falcons made some big splash moves last offseason, and for the most part, it has paid off. Atlanta leads the lowly NFC South by two games with a 6-5 record.

The Falcons host the Chargers for a huge Week 13 matchup this weekend. Both teams are in the thick of the playoff races in each conference, with Los Angeles likely destined for a Wild Card spot.

Here are five Falcons players that the Chargers must keep an eye on for:

RB Bijan Robinson

Defensive coordinators don’t get the best sleep when they realize they face Bijan Robinson on Sunday. The Texas product is already one of the most dynamic players in the league in just his second NFL season. He has averaged 103.8 scrimmage yards per game this season and seven total touchdowns. He’s also a dynamic threat out of the backfield, as he’s caught 45 passes, fourth-most amongst running backs.

TE Kyle Pitts

Now that Atlanta finally has a competent quarterback, Pitts has been better in 2024. Through 11 games, he has 35 catches for 494 yards and three touchdowns. He’s had just one catch in two of his last three contests, so the Falcons may make it a point of emphasis to get him involved early. Pitts presents a matchup issue due to his unique speed/size combination, and the Chargers will likely use Derwin James to try and slow him down.

OG Chris Lindstrom

Lindstrom has evolved into one of, if not the best, guard in the league. He dominates the line of scrimmage for the Falcons offense, which opens up big lanes for Robinson in the run game. The Chargers defensive line has been stellar recently, so this is another key matchup to watch in Week 13.

LB Nate Landman

Landman has appeared in just seven games, all starts, for the Falcons this season. He’s made quite an impact, though, with three forced fumbles and 52 total tackles in those starts. The undrafted linebacker has made 21 starts over the last two years and has become a legitimate contributor for Atlanta. The Chargers must protect the ball, particularly around Landman.

S Jessie Bates

The Falcons signed Bates to a four-year, $64 million contract in 2023, and he’s been worth every penny. The seventh-veteran has become arguably the best safety in all of football. In 2024, Bates has 70 tackles, two interceptions, six pass deflections, and a career-high four forced fumbles. He’s well on his way to earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, and the Chargers must make sure Bates does not take over the game on Sunday.

Two Falcons defenders earn elite PFF grades in NFL Week 6 win

Falcons LB Nate Landman and CB Clark Phillips earned ELITE Pro Football Focus grades in Week 6 win over Panthers..

Despite Sunday’s NFC South matchup against the Carolina Panthers having “trap game” written all over it, the Atlanta Falcons came out on top with a 38-20 win to improve to 4-2 on the season.

It was a hard-fought division matchup and the Falcons showed their ground attack could carry the offense the way the passing game did in Week 5. Defensively, the Falcons continued to bend but not break in key moments, forcing two interceptions in the fourth quarter.

Cornerback Clark Phillips had the best game of his short career while linebacker Nate Landman was dominant in his return from the injured reserve list. Pro Football Focus released its NFL Week 6 player grades and the two Falcons defenders earned elite marks.

Landman led the way with a PFF grade of 94.3 and Phillips was right behind him with a defensive rating of 93.0.  Check out Atlanta’s five highest-graded players from Sunday’s win over Carolina below:

  1. LB Nate Landman: 94.3
  2. CB Clark Phillips: 93.0
  3. RG Chris Lindstrom: 89.0
  4. LG Matthew Bergeron: 82.9
  5. RB Tyler Allgeier: 82.2

This week’s grades also highlight just how good the Falcons’ rushing attack was against Carolina. The next three highest grades were right tackle Kaleb McGary (80.6), running back Bijan Robinson (78.8) and center Ryan Neuzil (78.7).

Raheem Morris gave the game ball to the offensive line following Sunday’s victory. “When you win football games and you run for 200 yards, you gotta give the game ball to the whole O-line,” Morris told a rowdy locker room.

The Falcons will get a short break from NFC South play in Week 7 when they host the Seattle Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After that, it’s another division matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8.

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Falcons activate linebacker in time for Week 6 matchup vs. Panthers

The Falcons have activated linebacker Nate Landman from the injured reserve list in time for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers…

The Atlanta Falcons are getting a key player back from the injured reserve list just in time for Sunday’s NFC South matchup against the Carolina Panthers. According to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the team activated linebacker Nate Landman on Saturday.

The Falcons opened up Landman’s 21-day practice window on Monday but it was unclear if he would return after being limited all three days in practice. With Troy Andersen ruled out for Week 6, Landman’s return couldn’t come at a better time.

To free up a roster spot for Landman, the team released veteran cornerback Kevin King on Friday afternoon.

Landman last played in Week 1, finishing the game with the team’s highest defensive Pro Football Focus grade. Rookie linebacker JD Bertrand is likely breathing a sigh of relief as he was forced into the starting lineup in Week 5.

Check out the Falcons’ 53-man roster, injury report and depth chart entering their Week 6 matchup against the Panthers.

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Falcons designate linebacker Nate Landman to return from IR

Falcons designate LB Nate Landman to return from injured reserve list…

The Atlanta Falcons could be getting a key player back on defense as linebacker Nate Landman has been designated to return from the injured reserve list, the team announced on Monday. Landman was placed on IR in Week 2 due to calf and quad injuries.

Now that the Falcons have opened Landman’s 21-day practice window, he can return any time over the next three weeks. However, if Landman is still not healthy in 21 days, he must return to the injured reserve list.

The former undrafted free agent out of Colorado fought his way onto the roster in 2022 and started 14 games for Atlanta in 2023. Troy Andersen eventually replaced Landman in the starting lineup but both players were heavily involved during Week 1.

The Falcons signed tight end Armani Rogers to their 16-man practice squad after the Cincinnati Bengals poached offensive lineman Andrew Stueber on Monday.

Make sure to check out the team’s updated 53-man roster and practice squad entering Sunday’s NFC South matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

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Falcons place LB Nate Landman on IR, sign cornerback to roster

Falcons place linebacker Nate Landman on IR, sign cornerback off practice squad

The Atlanta Falcons ruled out linebacker Nate Landman for Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles on their Week 2 injury report and now, the former undrafted free agent has been placed on the injured reserve list.

Landman has been dealing with quadriceps and calf injuries but still finished Week 1 as the team’s highest-graded player, according to Pro Football Focus. With Landman out, the Falcons signed cornerback Kevin King off the practice squad to fill the last spot on the roster.

King, the former Packers defensive back, was one of Atlanta’s surprise cuts after a solid preseason. The Falcons elevated King for their Week 1 matchup against the Steelers and now he officially joins the active roster for Week 2.

https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1835772794434363498

Additionally, the Falcons elevated safety Dane Cruikshank from the practice squad for Monday night’s road matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s somewhat surprising that the team didn’t sign another linebacker to replace Landman.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the team worked out three inside linebackers, including former Falcon Rashaan Evans earlier this week. Perhaps another move could be coming, but it looks like fifth-round pick JD Bertrand is in line for an expanded role in Week 2.

Monday night’s game starts at 8:15 p.m. ET inside Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia is favored by 5.5 points over Atlanta with three hours until kickoff. Make sure to check out our Falcons Wire staff picks for Week 2 and four bold predictions for tonight’s NFC showdown.

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Falcons LB Nate Landman earned $750K in performance-based pay

Falcons LB Nate Landman earned $750K in performance-based pay for 2023

When Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen went down with an injury during Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season, it opened the door for former undrafted free agent Nate Landman to showcase his talents.

Landman started the final 14 games and became a consistent force on Atlanta’s front seven. He finished the season with 110 combined tackles, three forced fumbles, two sacks and an interception.

The 25-year-old earned himself some extra cash based on his 2023 performance. Landman received an extra $753,273 in performance-based pay, ESPN’s Michael Rothstein reported.

Landman ranked 21st in the NFL in performance-based last season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The exclusive-rights free agent was wisely re-signed by the Falcons early in the offseason.

Check out the full list of performance-based bonuses from 2023, as shared by Schefter below:

Atlanta Falcons re-sign former Buff Nate Landman

Nate Landman is locked in with the Atlanta Falcons for another season

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Falcons announced they’ve re-signed former Colorado Buffaloes football star Nate Landman to another one-year deal through the 2024 season.

The linebacker out of CU went undrafted in 2022 before being picked up by the Falcons. He appeared in seven games as a rookie in 2022 — mostly on special teams — before signing a one-year deal with Atlanta for the 2023 season.

In his second NFL season last fall, Landman stepped up in place of injury, starting 14 games at linebacker while racking up 110 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two pass deflections, two sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. He was third on the team in total tackles, fourth in TFLs and was tied for first in forced fumbles.

Landman became the first CU player to earn all-conference honors four times (two first-team, two second-team) and his 409 career tackles are tied for fifth-most in program history. Additionally, he led the Buffs in tackles in three different seasons.

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Atlanta Falcons re-sign ERFA linebacker Nate Landman

The Falcons have re-signed exclusive rights free agent linebacker Nate Landman, the team announced on Wednesday

Falcons linebacker Nate Landman has been a pleasant surprise since signing with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL draft. The former Colorado standout had a breakout season in 2023, starting 14 games in relief of Troy Andersen.

Landman, who finished the year with 110 tackles (66 solo), three forced fumbles, two sacks and one interception, was re-signed by the Falcons on Wednesday.

Since he has less than three years of playing experience, Landman was technically an exclusive rights free agent. This means that because the Falcons offered him a contract, no other team was allowed to sign him.

Atlanta has now re-signed three free agents. First, the team re-signed long snapper Liam McCullough, then added reserve lineman Ryan Neuzil on Monday.

Nate Landman enjoying huge second season in Atlanta

All-time great Colorado linebacker Nate Landman is putting up huge numbers in his second NFL season

The list of former Colorado football players in the NFL isn’t a big one, but Mason Crosby is making some headlines this month after joining the New York Giants.

But, one of the newest NFL Buffs is linebacker Nate Landman, who went undrafted out of CU before signing a free-agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

With his second season in the NFL approaching its end, Langman has appeared in 14 games so far and done incredibly well. Entering Week 17, Landman has 94 total tackles (56 solo) and a pair of sacks to go with an interception. He also has a pair of forced fumbles on top of that.

His interception came last month against Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

Landman earned plenty of Pro Bowl buzz and has a decent chance of finding his way onto the roster, which would be a massive accomplishment for the undrafted linebacker.

On Dec. 20, the Falcons posted that Landman had received the second-most Pro Bowl votes at inside linebacker for the NFC.

The Falcons finish their season with road games against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

Falcons LT Jake Matthews, LB Nate Landman return to practice

Falcons LT Jake Matthews and LB Nate Landman returned to practice on Thursday

The Atlanta Falcons listed 10 players on their Wednesday injury report, but the team appears to be trending in the right direction as we get closer to Sunday’s NFC South matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

According to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein, left tackle Jake Matthews, right guard Chris Lindstrom, linebacker Nate Landman and defensive lineman Calais Campbell returned to practice on Thursday. Right tackle Kaleb McGary and defensive lineman David Onyemata were both held out.

Defensive lineman Kentavius Street was out once again, but that was expected as head coach Arthur Smith already ruled him out for Sunday’s game. Check back this afternoon for the team’s full Thursday injury report.

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