Coach Kevin Stefanski's Atlanta Falcons are scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs at home in Week 10 with Drake London rising to star status. London had 68 yards in a Week 9 loss to the Bengals but is expected to improve against the Chiefs.
Tom Pelissero of The Ringer and Netflix broke news recently that London was hit with a hefty fine after the Bengals game heading into Week 10.
He was fined over $23,000 for his use of the helmet on a play against Cincinnati.
London ranks eighth in the NFL with 44 catches on 58 targets for 692 yards, but only has one touchdown to his name so far on the season. He was selected eighth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of USC and appears to be hovering right on the brink of becoming an elite NFL receiver, next to running back Bijan Robinson, who is in that category as a running back.
The Falcons need a win in the worst way to stamp Stefanski's tenure as one for fans to get behind headed down the stretch of what has been an up-and-down, but ultimately unsuccessful, first season for the former Browns head man.
London's costly mistake against the Bengals hit him right in the pocketbook. It's emblematic of a season that hasn't quite gone the Falcons' way, and doesn't appear to be turning around anytime soon.
The Falcons will face a Chiefs team without Kenneth Walker III, who has been ruled out. Now is the time for London and his teammates to ratchet things up to the next level in hopes of salvaging their pride, and a faint hope to compete for a Super Bowl run, before the end of the season.