Falcons' Early Surprises Include Dexter and Smith
Atlanta bounced back from an 0-2 start with a Thursday night win over Green Bay and entered Sunday with a chance to rest. The article identifies three early surprises, led by defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., who was acquired from Chicago for Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick. Dexter has helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rush defense at 47.7 yards per game while adding four quarterback pressures and two knockdowns.
Atlanta began 0-2 before beating Green Bay on Thursday night, leaving it as the week’s only winner and able to rest Sunday. The club added many offseason pieces, and three defenders have outperformed expectations. Dexter arrived from Chicago with Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round choice going the other way.
Dexter, listed at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, has seven tackles, half a sack, four pressures and two knockdowns while Atlanta’s run defense allows 47.7 yards per game. Za’Darius Smith, signed after retirement, has 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. Cameron Thomas, a 2022 third-round pick, is now starting.
The Falcons’ early defensive success may energize Atlanta-area fans and increase local game-day interest, while national analysts could spotlight how overlooked veterans and trade acquisitions reshape NFL rosters. For players like Dexter, Smith, and Thomas, strong starts could affect contract talks, reputations, and future opportunities. Broader audiences may see how sports narratives shift quickly, though on-field results remain uncertain.