The Atlanta Falcons unveiled their throwback uniforms on Sunday against the New York Giants, and safety Jessie Bates III made sure it was a debut to remember. With the Falcons trailing 7-3 in the second quarter and the Giants driving, Bates stepped in front of a Drew Lock pass and raced 55 yards the other way for a pick-six touchdown.
The play electrified the Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd and sent Bates’ teammates into a frenzy on the sidelines. The 27-year-old safety, who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023, showed off his speed and vision on the return, weaving through traffic and outrunning Lock’s pursuit for the score. Bates celebrated in the end zone by turning to the camera and striking Deion Sanders’ signature “Primetime” pose, a nod to the Hall of Famer who starred for the Falcons in the 90s when they regularly wore the throwback black uniforms.
Bates Sparks Falcons with Timely Takeaway
The interception was Bates’ fourth of the season and his second in as many games after picking off Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder on a Hail Mary attempt last week. The seventh-year veteran has been a stabilizing presence on an otherwise young Falcons defense, leading the team in interceptions and passes defensed.
Bates’ pick-six swung momentum in a pivotal NFC matchup. Atlanta entered Week 16 just one game out of the final NFC Wild Card spot, while the Giants were trying to strengthen their own postseason positioning. The Falcons’ defense and special teams rose to the occasion to support rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in his first NFL start.
Throwback Uniforms Evoke Memories of Deion
Bates channeled some vintage “Neon Deion” with his primetime play in the Falcons’ throwback threads. Sanders, a two-time Super Bowl champion and eight-time Pro Bowler, was known for his electric playmaking and flashy persona during his five seasons in Atlanta from 1989-1993.
The Falcons wore the black jerseys with white numbers and trim as their primary uniforms in the early 90s, a look that became iconic thanks to Sanders and other stars like Andre Rison. The club announced this year that it would bring back the throwback uniforms for two games, with many players and fans embracing the retro style.
“Those uniforms just bring back so many great memories for this franchise and the city. To be able to wear them and go out there and make a play like that, it’s a blessing.”
Jessie Bates on his pick-six while wearing the Falcons throwback uniforms
Falcons Fighting for Playoff Berth
At 6-8 entering Sunday’s game, the Falcons have no margin for error in the crowded NFC playoff picture. A loss to the Giants would deal a devastating blow to their postseason chances and put them on the verge of elimination.
But if Atlanta can build off the momentum from Bates’ pick-six and pull out a victory, it would move just a half-game out of the final Wild Card position with two games to play. The Falcons face the Commanders and Jets to finish the season and would likely need to win out and get some help to qualify for the playoffs.
With the season on the line, Atlanta needs its defense and special teams to continue delivering game-changing plays like Bates’ electrifying interception return. If the veteran safety and his teammates can conjure up more of that old-school Falcons magic, a return to the postseason in their throwback uniforms isn’t out of the question.
