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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 21: Kei’Trel Clark #13 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass in front of Jessie Bates III #3 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Star safety for the Atlanta Falcons, Jessie Bates III, is being punished by the NFL for an unsafe play during the Arizona Cardinals game in Week 16.
The league announced Saturday that Bates was fined $17,389 for unnecessary roughness/hit on a defenseless player during the fourth quarter with 4:50 remaining.
No other players from either team were fined after the game. The Falcons (6-9) defeated the Cardinals (3-12), 26-19, last Sunday.
Falcons Play the Rams in Week 17
Despite competing in the NFC South, the Falcons have been out of the playoff picture for weeks. A combination of injuries, coaching questions and inconsistent play has left the franchise facing an uncertain and uncomfortable offseason. Ownership has no shortage of tough decisions looming.
Before turning the page, however, Atlanta is hoping to finish the season on a positive note. A Week 17 win over a Rams team still fighting for postseason positioning would provide at least a small lift for Falcons fans heading into 2026. With Davante Adams potentially sidelined for the rest of the regular season, Atlanta may have a legitimate chance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night.
Bates pointed to clear differences in how Los Angeles functioned without Adams compared to its showing against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday.
“They’re playing well,” the two-time second-team All-Pro said, according to Falcons beat writer Terrin Waack. “With Davante Adams out last week, they showed a little more want to run the ball. That’s always what they want to do. But you see a lot of big people last week with them trying to run the ball.”
Rams running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum logged a combined 37 carries in a heartbreaking 38-37 overtime loss to Seattle. While Puka Nacua delivered a historic performance — 12 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns — head coach Sean McVay will likely look to reestablish the run game to set the tone.
That could be a problem for Atlanta, which has struggled to stop the run all season. The Falcons are surrendering 128.2 rushing yards per game, the eighth-worst mark in the NFL. No matter how Los Angeles chooses to attack in Week 17, Atlanta figures to have its hands full. Discipline and awareness will be essential against a depleted but still dangerous Rams team.
Head Coach Raheem Morris Reportedly on Hot Seat
GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Raheem Morris of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Owner Arthur Blank is still weighing the futures of head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. A decision is expected after the season, with some form of change to football operations on the table as the outside consulting firm Sportology conducts a “health check” of the organization.
Beyond Morris frequently speaking as if he’ll return next year, clarity has been scarce — and a recent report from insider James Palmer suggests league sources expect the Falcons to move on.
Morris owns a career head-coaching record of 35-56 and has posted just one winning season, coming in 2010 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Still, his deep ties to the Falcons organization could work in his favor, leaving open the possibility that ownership opts to retain him.
Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering football, basketball, legal affairs and entertainment. Drake has covered sports, including the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories, since 2019. He also reports for his hometown newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More about Drake Bentley
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