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After struggling in back-to-back games, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota redeemed himself against the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday.
He finished the day 13 of 14 for 129 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 50 yards and another score on the ground.
And led the Falcons to a 28-14 victory.
His outstanding performance didn’t go unnoticed by the league as he was named Offensive NFC Player of the Week for his efforts.
However, the former Heisman winner is no stranger to the award as he won it four other times while he was with the Tennessee Titans.
Why Winning The Award This Time Is Extra Special for Mariota
Being named Play of the Week a fifth time might not be too sentimental to some players but it certainly is for Mariota.
Sunday against the 49ers marked three years since Mariota was benched in Tennessee and lost his starting job to Ryan Tannehill.
But the Falcons gave him a second chance, which he knows not many veteran quarterbacks get in the league.
“I’m forever grateful for this organization to allow me to have that chance,” Mariota told reports after Sunday’s win. “Look across the league – a lot of guys in my situation don’t really get a second chance. For them to call me in and give me this opportunity to be a part of a young team means the world to me.”
Mariota’s first few starts have been far from perfect, which is no surprise to head coach Arthur Smith. However, he’s noticed how more comfortable Mariota has gotten each week while back in a starting role.
“He didn’t play for two and a half years,” Smith said. “So, it took a couple of games, and there are some things where you’re kind of rusty here and there, but I feel like every game he’s getting more comfortable.”
Mariota Joins Corderrelle Patterson as Offensive Player of the Week
Mariota became the second Falcons’ player to earn the prestigious award this season after Cordarrelle Patterson did it in Week 3.
It was that week that Patterson had himself a career day as he notched 141 rushing yards on 17 carries and a score in Atlanta’s 27-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
“Even at 31, he’s continued to evolve. He works to improve. It’s fun to coach him,” Smith said of CP hitting a new career-high after the game.
Patterson returned in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns, but a knee injury kept him limited to just 38 yards on nine carries.
Smith figured out how to use Patterson o the best of his abilities last season as he racked up 1,166 yards of total offense. However, he’s on tap to log even more than that this year once he returns form injured reserve.
Mariota still has at least two more weeks until Patterson returns. Until then, rookie running back Tyler Allgeier and second-year back Caleb Huntley have been carrying the load. So far, Allgeier has logged 28 carries for 96 yards, while Huntley has recorded 25 carries for 93 yards. Mariota has also been a solid help in the backfield.
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