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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Urben

Falcons safety Jessie Bates wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Falcons safety Jessie Bates had a monster game in Week 12, leading Atlanta to a 24-15 win over the Saints to take first place in the NFC South. Bates returned a Derek Carr interception 92 yards for a touchdown and later forced a fumble on Taysom Hill.

On Wednesday, the league awarded Bates with the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his outstanding performance against New Orleans.

For the season, Bates has 85 tackles (55 solo), four interceptions, three forced fumbles and six passes defended over 11 games.

The former Bengals safety signed a four-year, $64 million contract in free agency and he’s been worth every penny for this first-place Falcons team thus far.

Check out Atlanta’s updated depth chart heading into the team’s Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets.

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