The Falcons beat the Raiders on Monday night and then benched their starting quarterback on Tuesday, which was a pretty good sign that the main drivers of the team’s victory weren’t on offense.
Special teams played a prominent role and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge was right in the middle of it. Hodge blocked one punt and deflected another one during the 15-9 Atlanta win.
Hodge’s effort in the game resulted in the NFL naming him the NFC’s special teams player of the week.
Hodge also recovered a muffed punt in the end zone to help Atlanta beat the Saints in Week Four, so his special teams work has paid big dividends more than once for Atlanta.
