Jessie Bates didn’t just have a great game against the New Orleans Saints. The Atlanta Falcons safety had the kind of game that, in conjunction with a potent day on the ground, ensured the Saints were sunk and the Falcons would fly high. It was a masterful performance.
On Sunday, Bates had a pick-six on Derek Carr that ended a would-be scoring drive, forced a Taysom Hill fumble, and roamed all over the field creating minor forms of havoc when he wasn’t creating those turnovers all by himself. Inked to a big free agent deal as the centerpiece of a major-money spring, Bates has been everything the Falcons have hoped for and more, as he now has four interceptions and has keyed an improving defense, albeit one that had scuffled before the New Orleans game.