The difference between the Atlanta Falcons' defense in 2024 and 2025 feels like night and day. For years, Atlanta's unit sat among the worst in football, but in just two weeks, the Dirty Birds have seemingly regained their defensive identity due to an infusion of youth brought in by new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
The Falcons are second in the NFL in both total defense and pass defense—and are surrendering just 14.5 points per game. That’s a staggering turnaround for a franchise that hasn’t been recorded a top-10 defensive finish since the heyday of Desmond Trufant and Deion Jones back in 2017.