Coach Kevin Stefanski's Atlanta Falcons welcomed Jesse Minter's Baltimore Ravens to Mercedes-Benz Stadium after a week that saw Bijan Robinson get an NFL's best comment from Derrick Henry. Robinson, hero of the Saints game, took a backseat to the defense in the early going as Jessie Bates stole the show.
Bates scooped up a Mark Andrews fumble and returned it to the house for the first touchdown of the game.
JESSIE BATES II FOR THE LEAD 😤 pic.twitter.com/DtUgxbwJGX
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) October 12, 2026
Bates made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and is a three-time Second Team NFL All-Pro. The Falcons safety is often overshadowed by his team's talented offense led by Robinson, Drake London, and Michael Penix Jr., but he made a play on Sunday Night Football that nobody could ignore, showing his world class instincts, speed and awareness in the defensive backfield for coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's unit.
Article Continues BelowThe Ravens started Tyler Huntley at quarterback after Lamar Jackson was ruled out of the game, causing the Falcons offense to lick its chops against a lesser-known quarterback. Baltimore opened the scoring with a 21-yard field goal from Tyler Loop that appeared to give them momentum, but Andrews' fumble killed it and led to the Falcons seizing the lead.
Baltimore began driving into Falcons territory after the Bates interception return, putting pressure on Ulbrich's group as Stefanski, Robinson and others watched on. The Falcons knew they'd be in for a dogfight after seeing coach Minter's team on their schedule, and that sentiment held true in the early going. Bates' big play gave Atlanta plenty to get excited about as they continued to battle it out on Sunday Night Football.