*Austin Hooper – Noteworthy
TE Austin Hooper came back after missing a game with a knee injury to catch two passes for 36 yards. Hooper was chosen as an alternate to the Pro Bowl.
Bruce Irvin – Noteworthy
DE Bruce Irvin is getting more opportunities. He had a sack on Sunday and has 3.5 sacks since joining the Falcons, all in the last three games. Only Khalil Mack has more sacks during the month of December since 2016.
Calvin Ridley – Noteworthy
WR Calvin Ridley caught a 75-yard touchdown pass against Carolina. It was his ninth touchdown and ties him with Junior Miller (1980) for the most receiving touchdowns by a rookie in team history. He finished the day with three receptions for 90 yards.
Deion Jones – Noteworthy
LB Deion Jones led the team with 14 tackles (eight solo) and one forced fumble. Only two other players (Darius Leonard of Indianapolis and Anthony Hitchens of Kansas City) have two games with 14-plus tackles.
Julio Jones – Noteworthy
WR Julio Jones played through a hip injury and caught four passes for 28 yards and one touchdown. Jones was receiving treatment throughout the game for the injury but is expected to play in the season finale.
Matt Ryan – Noteworthy
QB Matt Ryan threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns for a 126.9 rating. He now has 293 touchdown passes and moved past Johnny Unitas and Warren Moon int 13th place on the all-time list. He needs two more to exceed Carson Palmer. Ryan has thrown for 33 touchdowns, his second-most in a single season.