FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Five weeks into the season, the Atlanta Falcons have the top defense in the league. They rank No. 1 in total yards allowed per game (244), passing yards allowed per game (135) and first downs allowed per game (15). They've only given up eight touchdowns. They're getting off the field, too: With a third-down stop rate of 34.1%, which ranked sixth-best in the league.

The Falcons defense also leads the NFL in limiting explosive plays. According to TruMedia, Atlanta has allowed just 32 plays of 10-or-more yards this season, compared to the NFL average of 58.

What's more, through four games played this defense has recorded 10 sacks. That is the most sacks a Falcons team has totaled through its first four games since 2017.

Those accomplishments have resulted in the Falco

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