How Falcons' Matthew Judon Flipped Script on Disappointing Season

An embodiment of the Atlanta Falcons' revitalized pass rush, outside linebacker Matthew Judon has four sacks in his last six games.

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon is nearing the end of his first season in Atlanta. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- When Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon spoke publicly in mid-August for the first time since being traded from the New England Patriots, he said he didn't expect a new contract because Atlanta didn't know him yet.

Through the season's first 10 games, the Falcons learned a shell of Judon.

The four-time Pro Bowl selection who arrived in Atlanta with 32 sacks in his previous 39 games before arrival found himself in an unfamiliar spot: incapable of terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.

Judon had 1.5 sacks in his first two games. Over the next eight weeks, he recorded zero sacks, zero tackles for loss and one quarterback hit. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris acknowledged that Judon hadn't given Atlanta what it expected.

Suddenly, it flipped.

Once symbolic of the Falcons' dismal pass rush, which had only 10 sacks in 11 games, Judon has been a steady contributor on a unit that leads the NFL in sacks over the past five weeks with 21.

The reason for the sudden switch? Judon, who has four sacks, five tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and a 27-yard pick-six in his past six games, thinks it's about finishing.

"Just getting (quarterbacks) on the ground," Judon told Atlanta Falcons on SI on Friday. "Kind of getting a little bit more opportunities and kind of getting more schemed up in the game plan."

Judon had only three full weeks of practice between the time he was traded to Atlanta and the start of the regular season. He felt comfortable and confident quickly, which he attributed to outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith, senior defensive assistant Dave Huxtable and his teammates.

As such, Judon said his recent uptick in production isn't due to comfort -- he's long felt fine in Atlanta's defense. He played a season-high 51 snaps in the Falcons' 30-24 overtime loss to the Washington Commanders on Dec. 29, but the week before, he played a season-low 42% of defensive snaps.

His pure snap share hasn't changed. It's possible his role and responsibilities have.

"Just go watch the tape," Judon said. "Y'all get the tape just like us, and y'all can determine that. I think we got to play the game plan. We got to play the play that's called."

That responsibility falls on defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, who's reinvented his stock since the bye week by leading his unit into the top 10 in several metrics, including yards allowed per game, both pass and run defense and, of course, sacks.

At the Week 12 bye, the Falcons did a thorough self-scout. Their coaches identified problems, and their players have helped fix them, Morris said.

Judon is perhaps the best example -- and Morris said his four-tackle, two-tackle-for-loss, one-sack performance last time out against Washington was his best as a Falcon, an assessment that extends beyond his statistics.

"He's done an amazing job the last couple of weeks," Morris said Friday. "He's given us some production, not only in the pass rush game, but also in his run fits and things of that nature, doing some really good football plays.

"Unfortunately for us, (Washington) was a tough loss. But yeah, he really stood up and did some really good things for us and was playing really well."

Lake agreed with Morris that Judon is coming off his best game in Atlanta. It's the culmination of daily hard work that Judon has put in since his first practice with the Falcons, and on a broader scale, proof of one of Lake's personal slogans: work works.

"So proud of him," Lake said Thursday. "You watch him just put in the hard work, put in the hard work. It's just awesome to see the results for him. I'm excited to see what's going to come next on Sunday. I know he's playing with a lot of confidence and he's just continuing to get better.

"His hard work is the reason why he's played at a higher level as of late."

Taken in a capsule, Judon's season has been middle-of-the-road. He's registered 25 total pressures and 16 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, while ranking ninth league-wide with three passes batted at the line of scrimmage -- one of which led to a pick-six for linebacker Troy Andersen in a Week 4 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He also has 20 run stops, which ranks 46th league wide.

But on a smaller scope, the 32-year-old Judon has been much better lately. He's tied for 16th in the NFL with four sacks since the start of Week 11 -- with a bye week mixed in. Among those who have played six or fewer games during that time, he's tied for seventh.

Yet somewhat contrary to Judon's statement, the Falcons haven't necessarily altered his role schematically within the defense. Morris said he's unsure whether Judon meant him specifically being schemed up, or rather the Falcons' scheme being better suited for the pass rushers overall.

Because, as Morris noted, the rest of Atlanta's defensive front has produced well since the bye week, too. Outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie leads the NFL with five sacks since Week 13. Inside linebacker Kaden Elliss is tied for third with four sacks. Rookie linebacker JD Bertrand recorded his first sack on a blitz against Washington.

Morris used Judon's sack against the Commanders as an example. The 6-foot-3-inch, 265-pounder came unblocked off the edge, which happened due to the left side of Washington's offensive line sliding to its right in preparation for additional pressure.

So, as much as Judon's play has improved, the recent gains made in Atlanta's defensive scheme and personnel utilization have also been central to his late-season leap.

"To say you schemed up some things, I think it's more just the coaches doing a really good job of finding holes in people's protection and finding ways for us to get out there and win," Morris said.

Judon has won lots lately. He's also enjoyed himself in the process, eavesdropping on safety Jessie Bates III's postgame press conference after a 34-7 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 22 and embracing something of a big brother-little brother relationship with Ebiketie.

Perhaps now, more than ever, the true Judon has arrived in Atlanta.

"Judon, he's got a lot of criticism," Bates said. "And he's been the same guy since he walked in this building. And just to see him continue to go to work every single day, just excited for him."

So, the contract? Judon's deal expires after the 2024 season. Lake deferred any and all contract discussions to Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, who has stressed in the past he won't negotiate within the media.

Both parties remain focused on finishing this season strong. The Falcons (8-8) are still alive for the postseason, but they'll need to beat the Carolina Panthers (4-12) at 1 p.m. Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium and hope the Saints (5-11) upset the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) at the same time.

The odds currently aren't in Atlanta's favor -- The Athletic's playoff projection model gives the Falcons a 13% chance to make the playoffs.

In essence, Sunday's game may be Judon's last in Atlanta, which could end a brief stint capped by a mission he's still unsure if he fulfilled.

"Shit, a little bit, I feel like," Judon said when asked what he proved about himself to the Falcons. "I just feel like, kind of, the season is the season. I wish we could have been in the playoffs and accomplished more."

There's still, though mathematically improbable, a chance the Falcons do that. It's possible the same can be said for Judon's future in Atlanta.