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Bates recorded 10 tackles (five solo) and a pass breakup in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Broncos. The free safety also played on 97 percent of the defensive snaps. Bates has 70 tackles (42 solo), six passes defensed, including two interceptions, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 2024.
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Bates recorded five total tackles (three solo) and one interception in Sunday's 31-26 win over the Buccaneers. The veteran safety picked off Baker Mayfield on the Buccaneers' first drive coming out of halftime, bringing his season total up to two interceptions. Bates has also accumulated 50 total tackles, four passes defended and three forced fumbles through Atlanta's first eight games. He's expected to continue starting alongside Justin Simmons as part of one of the the best safety duos in the NFL ahead of Week 9, when the Falcons host the Cowboys.
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Bates finished Thursday's 36-30 overtime win over the Buccaneers with eight tackles (three solo) and two forced fumbles. Bates was the leading tackler for the Falcons on Thursday. His first forced fumble didn't lead to a turnover, but Bates managed to punch the ball out of Bucky Irving's hands late in the fourth quarter, which was recovered by Kaden Elliss. Bates has played every single defensive snap through the first five games of the regular season, and over that span he has recorded 37 tackles (23 solo), three passes defended, one interception and two forced fumbles.
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Bates recorded 12 tackles (seven solo), two pass defenses and one interception during Monday's 22-21 win over the Eagles. After a quiet Week 1, Bates stole the defensive show during Monday Night Football. He posted a game-high 12 tackles and secured the Falcons' win after intercepting Jalen Hurts with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Bates had a career-high six interceptions during his first season in Atlanta last year.
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Bates is listed as a starting safety on the Falcons' official depth chart, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports. This isn't a surprise. However, the Falcons signing fellow safety Justin Simmons and trading for outside linebacker Matthew Judon late in training camp was a major surprise. The newcomers are listed as backups on the official depth chart, but that's expected to change as they get acclimated to head coach Raheem Morris' scheme. Bates starred during his first season in Atlanta last year, finishing with 133 tackles (89 solo), 11 pass defenses, six interceptions, three forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown across 17 appearances.
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| WK | DATE | OPP | OPP RANK | OPP FPTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | BYE | - | - | |
| 13 | 12/01 | Los Angeles | 17 | |
| 14 | 12/08 | @Minnesota | 14 | |
| 15 | 12/16 | @Las Vegas | 16 | |
| 16 | 12/22 | New York | 22 | |
| 17 | 12/29 | @Washington | 21 | |
| 18 | 01/05 | Carolina | 9 |