What happened: Atlanta Falcons pass rusher Za'Darius Smith dropped the quarterback on fourth down at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday to force a turnover on downs and regain possession. Smith continues to generate high-leverage stops on a compact snap count since joining the rotation prior to the regular season.

Why it matters: Consistent edge pressure gives the Falcons a vital defensive anchor as the club works to overcome a lengthy injury report. Smith has maintained his disruptive pace after the Falcons ruled him out with a concussion in early October before clearing him to return to active duty on Oct. 18.

What to watch: Atlanta will continue to manage Smith's third-down and late-game pass-rush workload as the defense navigates the middle stretch of the 2026 schedule.