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It was only his seventh career start, but Commanders quarterback Sam Howell played like a wily veteran in the road victory against the Falcons in Week 6. While it wasn't a dazzling effort, not every contest in the NFL is going to be super flashy. Howell completed 14 of 23 passes for 151 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His arrow is pointing up.

There was a grand total of six quarterbacks selected in the past two NFL Draft classes who saw considerable playing time in Week 6.

Let's dive deep into the individual efforts of each quarterback and assign a grade on a per-snap basis, taking every individual aspect of their performance into account. More than 10 attempts were needed to qualify for this piece, which publishes weekly on Tuesdays.

Bryce Young

CAR • QB • #9

CMP%63.2

YDs967

TD6

INT4

YD/Att5.31

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High-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Low-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Summary: The game is starting to slow down a bit for Young, and Thielen's route-running savvy is giving Young some open looks. Based on how disastrous the season began for the No. 1 overall pick, this game was encouraging albeit far from spectacular.

Grade: C-Season Grade: D+

Desmond Ridder

ATL • QB • #9

CMP%64.0

YDs1380

TD6

INT6

YD/Att6.8

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High-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Low-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Summary: I liked for the second straight week, Ridder threw confidently with plenty of velocity on his throws. I did not like how careless he was with the football, and some of his misses were ugly. The past two weeks have been much better than what he had shown previously as a professional, but this was a step back against the Commanders.

Grade: C-Season Grade: C-

Sam Howell

WAS • QB • #14

CMP%67.8

YDs1500

TD9

INT6

YD/Att7.01

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High-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Low-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Summary: Different game from Howell than what he's shown entering Week 6. A lot more taking what the defense gave him, and he didn't connect on quite as many ridiculous throws down the field as normal. Altogether, though, not a bad performance for the young passer.

Grade: CSeason Grade: B-

Brock Purdy

SF • QB • #13

CMP%67.5

YDs1396

TD10

INT1

YD/Att8.56

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High-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Low-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Summary: While Purdy did get the 49ers in field goal range to win the game in Cleveland, this was his worst outing of the season. The rain needs to be considered here, as does the quality of the Browns defensive unit. But this was the first instance of San Francisco's offensive line not protecting outstandingly, and even on some clean-pocket throws, Purdy was off.

Grade: C-Season Grade: B-

C.J. Stroud

HOU • QB • #7

CMP%59.6

YDs1660

TD9

INT1

YD/Att7.79

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High-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Low-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Summary: Stroud struggled but wasn't completely overwhelmed against the Saints. The wow throws that've popped on occasion through the first five games of his NFL career were mostly not there, and he made some bad reads with wayward tosses against one of the better defenses in the NFC.

Grade: D+Season Grade: C+

Malik Willis

TEN • QB • #7

CMP%80.0

YDs74

TD0

INT0

YD/Att14.8

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High-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Low-Caliber Throws/Plays:

Summary: Willis was called into a difficult relief appearance after Ryan Tannehill's injury against Baltimore's stingy defense. He was a little tentative throwing the football, but Titans receivers were covered tightly by the Ravens on many of those plays. There were some glimpses of his running capabilities. Hard to take a ton from what we saw late in the fourth quarter when Willis was on the field in London.

Grade: C-Season Grade: C-

Though it has been nearly a week since the Braves 2023 season ended, it is still hard to accept such a good opportunity and amazing season came to such an abrupt end. However, the reality is that it has. And as a result, the focus for the future is to make sure it does not happen again.

Alex Anthopoulos spoke with the Atlanta media this past Friday, and dived into his thoughts on the Braves season. From that, Shawn Coleman looks at a few important quotes from AA in detail on this edition of the Daily Hammer.

Please check out the podcast via Apple Podcasts (where we strongly encourage you to leave a five-star review and rating), Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Google Podcasts, or you can find us at our MegaPhone page for all the latest.

The top spot in the NFC South will be on the line when the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) square off in Week 7.

It was a frustrating day for quarterback Desmond Ridder against the Washington Commanders, as the Falcons starter threw three interceptions in what could've been a major win to separate themselves in the division standings. Now the two-year pro will need a big showing to avoid more questions surrounding the starting quarterback position.

Baker Mayfield and company learned first-hand how good the Detroit Lions are, as they were held to just two field goals in a 20-6 loss despite wearing the creamsicle throwbacks. Tampa Bay will also want its quarterback to recover from a lackluster performance after a strong start to the season.

PROP TALK: These are the best prop bets for NFL games this week

Buccaneers vs. Falcons odds, moneyline, over/under

The Buccaneers are favorites to defeat the Falcons, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.

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PROMO PARTY: These are the best NFL betting promos in 2023

NFL Week 7 odds, predictions and picks

Saints vs. Jaguars | Ravens vs. Lions | Bears vs. Raiders | Colts vs. Browns | Patriots vs. Bills | Giants vs. Commanders | Buccaneers vs. Falcons | Rams vs. Steelers | Seahawks vs. Cardinals | Broncos vs. Packers | Chiefs vs. Chargers | Eagles vs. Dolphins | Vikings vs. 49ers

Lorenzo Reyes: Buccaneers 24, Falcons 18

Baker Mayfield said he and the Bucs “sucked” against the Lions. Holding on to a delicate lead in the NFC South with the second-place Falcons coming into town, I expect Tampa to play much cleaner.

Tyler Dragon: Buccaneers 21, Falcons 20

Tampa Bay’s two losses came to the Eagles and Lions. Todd Bowles has the Bucs playing better than expected to start the year. Tampa Bay has a +6-turnover differential. Falcons QB Desmond Ridder has thrown six interceptions, tied for the third most in the NFL.

Safid Deen: Buccaneers 24, Falcons 14

Baker Mayfield had some issues with Detroit’s pass rush last week, but the Buccaneers should get back on track at home against the Falcons. Desmond Ridder, who had three interceptions last week, has struggled mightily in his first season as Atlanta’s starter, while the Falcons’ run game has struggled, too.

Victoria Hernandez: Buccaneers 23, Falcons 17

The Buccaneers will wipe off last week’s loss and the leftover creamsicle sludge and get redemption at home. Desmond Ridder threw three interceptions last week for the Falcons, including a potential game-tying one in the end zone late in the game. Tampa Bay’s defense has 15 sacks on the season and might add a few more here.

Jordan Mendoza: Buccaneers 20, Falcons 19

This game could go either way and is one of the hardest matchups to predict this week. The game will come down to which quarterback minimizes mistakes, and while both of them have good performances, the Buccaneers weapons prove to be the difference in a close win.

You can view the full list of USA TODAY's NFL expert predictions here.

PIGSKIN PARLAYS: Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week

NFL salaries: These are the highest paid NFL players

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ATLANTA -- Bijan Robinson took a pitch to the right in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Washington Commanders and needed one yard. He started to break outside before turning upfield and saw two defenders waiting.

He couldn't get away.

All day long, Washington's defenders caused problems for Atlanta's run game. The Commanders stacked the box and essentially issued a challenge: Washington was not going to let the Falcons beat them on the ground.

It's been a familiar refrain the last season-plus in Atlanta. Stack the box as much as possible and take your chances with the rest.

"It's a hard look, just putting a body to a body. Obviously combos and all that get to where we need to," running back Tyler Allgeier said. "But just having an extra guy in the box can cause issues.

"But that's just a guy we have to handle."

This season, Atlanta has run 82 plays with defenses playing at least eight men in the box -- an average of 13.67 plays a game -- tied with the Houston Texans for second-most in the NFL.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Atlanta is averaging 3.6 yards a run this year when it faces an eight-man-or-more box, down from 3.8 yards a carry last season. This type of attention to the run game is familiar: Last year the Falcons ran 14.71 plays a game with eight men or more in the box, the most in the NFL.

"It doesn't matter how many guys are in the box," Robinson said. "We got to come up with a plan to get past because that's what we do, we run the ball to pass the ball."

One key difference could be the threat of a mobile quarterback. Marcus Mariota was used as a rusher more last season (career highs of 85 carries for 438 yards) than Desmond Ridder has been this season (20 carries for 75 yards).

Ridder can run, but Falcons coach Arthur Smith noted that they have different skill position players this year -- notable additions are Robinson, tight end Jonnu Smith and receiver Mack Hollins -- and he's also "tried to evolve" the offense to create more balance than last season.

There's also that teams might understand a little more of what the Falcons are attempting to do this year. Every rusher with at least 10 carries last season -- Mariota, Allgeier, Avery Williams, Cordarrelle Patterson and Caleb Huntley -- averaged at least 4.8 yards a carry.

This year, Robinson is the only Falcon averaging over four yards per carry (he's at 5.0 yards per attempt) with Ridder at 3.8 and Allgeier 3.2.

It's possible it comes down to the blocking, too. Last season, Atlanta's run block win rate, according to ESPN Stats & Information, was 70.3% -- better than the league average the last two seasons. This year, it's below that at 67.9%. Every offensive line position is down in its win rate this season versus last, too.

In the last month, according to ESPN Stats & Info, only the center position (Drew Dalman) has had a run block win rate in any game over 70%. Smith, though, said he didn't see much of a difference in how they've been blocking runs this year versus last year.

"We kind of get some of those three, four, I call ugly runs, and then you obviously start hitting bigger ones later in the game," Smith said. "And you tweak some things or the games within the game. But sometimes, last year, too, there were some quarterback runs and things we were doing that opened some things up, too.

"That's kind of the give-and-take."

Dalman said because of how the Falcons played last year, he believes "teams come into games with that in mind," but they haven't changed the core philosophy of what they've tried to accomplish. They recognize, though, that they need to improve on where they are now.

Smith's run schemes use a lot of different movements to create space and opportunity. There's a balance, though, because while Robinson has been great as a rookie, Atlanta has to be careful not to overuse him.

Robinson said he still feels good six games into his NFL career, although three of the past four games have had Robinson under 50 yards rushing: 33 against Detroit, 46 against Houston and 37 on Sunday against Washington.

Those are also the Falcons' three losses.

"I feel good, just sore," Robinson said. "But other than that, I got to get my body right every single week. There's a couple sorenesses I got to get through.

"It's just like college. I got my routine and then we'll be good from there."

Atlanta needs all its runners to get in a routine. If they do, it can change the dynamic of the entire offense.

The Falcons can surprise you in ways both large and small, but most of the time they’re doing that on the field. Cutting Jaylinn Hawkins before the seventh week of the season? That’s that rare off-the-field surprise.

Per NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the team has released Hawkins on Tuesday, with the 26-year-old safety now looking for a new team unless the Falcons can sneak him back on to the practice squad. My guess is that they didn’t make this move intending to do so, and that even if they did, they won’t have much luck.

#Falcons released Jaylinn Hawkins

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 17, 2023

Hawkins didn’t have much of a role this year under new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, with DeMarcco Hellams drawing more snaps in two of the past three weeks on defense, but had been a core piece of the puzzle on special teams until this past week. He was one of the players who had a role in Atlanta’s blown coverage on Jamison Crowder’s huge punt return, but again, it’s hard to see any one thing that might’ve precipitated a cut. At worst, Hawkins was experienced, solid depth and a familiar face for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams, so this can’t really be spun as anything but a shock.

On Wednesday, the team confirmed the move and we learned that Micah Abernathy will be called up to the roster on a more permanent basis after being flexed for last Sunday. Atlanta now has two open practice squad spots.

Arthur Smith on releasing Jaylinn Hawkins: "I have a lot of respect for Hawk. I wish him the best in future." ... "Circumstances change."Added it's an opportunity for someone like Micah Abernathy.

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 18, 2023

Still just 26 years old and less than a full season removed from starting for the Falcons, Hawkins shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new home, assuming there isn’t some major issue that prompted this release that we’re simply not aware of. It’s fair to wonder if this move comes before the Falcons make a roster addition via trade of pickup, but either way, it seems unlikely Hawkins will be back with Atlanta given his experience and potential value for other teams hunting for safety depth.

What this does mean is that DeMarcco Hellams is the third safety and will likely carve out a larger role on defense and special teams going forward. The team’s evident appreciation for Hellams and desire to give him a larger role are essentially confirmed by this move.

We wish Hawkins well wherever he lands, and we’ll see what’s next.

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