Atlanta Falcons Beat New York Jets, Extend Lead in NFC South

The Atlanta Falcons are back at .500 after getting a crucial road win over the New York Jets.

Battling through rain, injuries and tough sledding on the ground, the Atlanta Falcons (6-6) took a 13-8 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday inside MetLife Stadium.

The Falcons overcame a slow start offensively to take a 10-5 halftime lead and their defense did the rest, forcing two second half turnovers while both sides struggled offensively, adding only a field goal apiece over the final 30 minutes.

Falcons safety Jessie Bates III intercepted Jets quarterback Tim Boyle, leading to his benching, and fellow safety Richie Grant recorded a strip-sack on Boyle's replacement, Trevor Siemian.

Atlanta's offense failed to record a first down on its final three drives and picked up just one conversion the entire fourth quarter.

But the Falcons defense stood tall when it mattered most, stopping the Jets one last time on 4th and 17 inside of a minute to play.

Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) is tackled by New York Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson (11) and safety Tony Adams (22) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium / Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The game's lone touchdown came on a 20-yard pass from Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder to tight end MyCole Pruitt in the second quarter, and Younghoe Koo's two field goals gave Atlanta all it needed.

Ridder finished the day 12 of 27 for 121 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers. Atlanta rushed for only 91 yards on 32 carries, averaging 2.8 yards per touch.

The Falcons lost three starters due to injury, as cornerback A.J. Terrell (concussion), right tackle Kaleb McGary (knee) and linebacker Nate Landman all left and didn't return.

Falcons LB Nate Landman Injured, Carried Off vs. Jets

Still, Atlanta persevered - and walked out of MetLife Stadium another step closer to its first playoff appearance in six years.

With the New Orleans Saints suffering a 33-28 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Falcons now lead the NFC South by a game and hold the tiebreaker with five weeks left in the regular season.

Atlanta returns to action next Sunday, Dec. 10, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a 1 p.m. EST kickoff.