Atlanta has totaled 23 sacks in its last four games, and the team's five sacks helped the Falcons beat the Saints Sunday.

Terrin Waack

NEW ORLEANS The Atlanta Falcons' win against the New Orleans Saints accomplished multiple tasks.

It ended the Falcons' losing streak at five games, as theyimproved to 4-7 overall. It reassured the offense it couldoperate with Kirk Cousinsas the Falcons' starting quarterback. It redeemed Falcons kickers inside Caesars Superdome, as Zane Gonzalez went 3-for-3.

Perhaps most importantly, at least in the big picture, Sunday's victory was further confirmation the Falcons accomplished their No. 1 offseason goal ofimproving the defensive pass rush. But it's not just an improved unit, it's one of the best in the NFL.

"Obviously sacks and pressures have been a big focus on our team all the way from the draft," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. " Over the last couple of weeks, we've been able to show that. They kept it up today."

The Falcons sacked Saints quarterback Tyler Shough five times. With that performance, Atlanta has 23 sacks in its last four games the most in the NFL by a five-sack margin. The last time the Falcons surpassed 20 sacks through four games was 1966the year the team was founded.

Let's quickly recap how the Falcons got to 23 between Weeks 9-12.

Of course, there were the five in Week 12 against the Saints. The Falcons then previously had five sacks in their Week 11 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers, seven sacks in their Week 10 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts and six sacks in their Week 9 loss to the New England Patriots.

"That's a great stat," Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. said. "But the wins are what matter. We need to keep stacking those."

Pearce was one of the Falcons' two first-round draft picks specifically brought in to improve the Falcons' pass rush. Atlantaselected him with the No. 26 pickafter trading with the Los Angeles Rams to move back into the first round to take him. That trade required the Falcons to give up their 2026 first-round draft pick.

Well, Pearce has played in every game this season and recorded four sacks, including a sack in the Falcons' last three games. He had a career-high 1.5 in New Orleans.

Edge rusher Jalon Walker, whom the Falconsselected at No. 15with their original 2025 first-round pick, has also lived up to his billing. Walker has played in all but two games this season and accounted for five sacks, which are the most among NFL rookies this season. Four of those sacks have come in the last three games, and he had one in New Orleans.

"It's great seeing them hit their strides," said Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata. "When you first get in the league, you're kind of trying to figure out yourself. But once you start hitting your stride, once you start get going, great things can happen."

Defensive linemen Brandon Dorlus, who had 1.5 sacks, and Ruke Orhorhoro, who had the fifth and final team sack on Sunday, rounded out the rest of the Falcons' total against the Saints. They were drafted in 2024 and are part of the young nucleus the team is building on the defensive line.

Dorlus now has six sacks, which leads the Falcons this season, while Orhorhoro has 2.5.

"I'm glad they're balling," Falcons inside linebacker Divine Deablo said. "They're still young guys. We still have so much room to grow. I'm excited to see what's to come."

The Falcons boast 39 sacks through 11 games. Last year, they had 31 in all 17 games.

Atlanta's primary offseason mission of improving its pass rush something that has long eluded the organization has been undoubtedly accomplished in 2025. Another is still in the works; the Falcons' playoff chances may be low, but they are still alive.

"Winning and doing your job and playing with your brothers is always contagious," Pearce said. "Those are always contagious things. That's what we just bond off of right there."

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