It’s the third time he’s won the award in a season and change in Atlanta.
You keep hearing the phrase “worth every penny” with Jessie Bates, and for good reason. The man has been worth every penny.
The latest game-winning absurdity from the wizard in a No. 3 Atlanta Falcons jersey came on Monday Night Football against the Eagles, when he prevented a surefire touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith and then got the game-sealing interception to ensure Atlanta’s hard-earned one point lead would stand. It was the kind of stellar individual effort we’ve been spoiled by since Bates arrived in Atlanta, and the fact that he did so under the bright lights has helped him earn yet another NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.
As ESPN’s Marc Raimondi noted, it’s the third such win for Bates, tying him for the all-time team lead with Deion Sanders, Deion Jones, and Chuck Smith. The difference between those guys? They all had multiple seasons in Atlanta to earn them; Bates has been here for 19 games.
#Falcons safety Jessie Bates III was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week courtesy of his performance against the Eagles. Bates has won the award now three times since coming to Atlanta in 2023. He’s tied with Deion Sanders, Deion Jones and Chuck Smith for the most such awards…
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) September 18, 2024
I don’t think you can say enough about how game-changing Bates has been as an addition, but suffice to say he has been one of the most impactful free agent signings in Falcons history and is perhaps the single most vital defender Atlanta has. I look forward to him winning more games for the Falcons this season, and hopefully taking home more of these awards in the process.