THE Atlanta Falcons turned over every stone possible to find some semblance of a pass rush. In 27-21 victory Sunday against the Dallas Cowboysthis included reducing the snaps of the player brought in to resolve these issues: Matthew Judon.

And it worked.

The Falcons recorded three sacks and seven quarterback hits against the Cowboys. They entered the game with six sacks and 31 hits through the first eight games of the season.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris cited a number of factors, including the Cowboys running into obvious passing situations. That was due, Morris said, to Atlanta’s lead and successful running of the ball, which shortened the game and limited possessions.

But most importantly, the Falcons had “more people, different people,” Morris noted. Or, in other words, a new life.

And it wasn’t because the Falcons simply wanted to manage Judon’s workload.

“No, it’s not about work, it’s about production,” Morris said Monday. “We had to find ways to speed up passes, make guys fresher and get people on the field, and we were able to do that by changing that rotation. It actually made us a little bit more productive.”

Judon, who was acquired in August from the New England Patriots in exchange for a third-round pick, joined the Falcons with four Pro Bowl appearances under his belt. He was expected to lead Atlanta’s pass rush.

Instead, the 32-year-old struggled in his first season to recover from a torn biceps that cost him the final 13 games of last season. He recently gave himself a D grade for his performance.

Judon started each of the Falcons’ nine games, but he recorded just 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. He hasn’t recorded a sack or tackle for loss since Sept. 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and his last quarterback hit came in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

During his ninth professional season, Judon made a few other notable actions. He deflected a screen pass that turned into a pick-six against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, and he completed another screen pass in Sunday’s win against the Cowboys, which seemed likely to be a considerable gain.

But the Falcons traded for Judon in hopes he would provide quick help. Over the last six games, he has failed to live up to those aspirations.

So Atlanta made a change. Judon played 40 snaps, which is close to the number he usually plays, but at a season-low rate of 52% of the Falcons’ total defensive snaps.

“It was about finding ways to be more productive,” Morris said. “We would do just about anything to find production in the areas where you are struggling, and you have to try to find some success.

“That was one of our actions and one of the things we had to figure out what to do and that’s coaching, that’s playing, finding ways to do it together and getting everyone to play harder and better and to execute a little better.”

As Judon’s role diminished, two third-year outside linebackers saw an increase in prominence.

Arnold Ebiketie played a record 54 snaps, or 70% of the team’s total. He capitalized, notching his first sack of the campaign and a season-best three quarterback hits.

DeAngelo Malonemeanwhile, played his first defensive snaps of the year. The 2022 third-round pick played just two snaps on defense all last season and spent his professional career largely as a special teams ace, but he saw 23 snaps Sunday, or 30% of the defensive total from Atlanta.

Malone recorded two tackles and a quarterback hurry in his first defensive action since Christmas Eve 2023.

“It gave us great energy,” Morris said of Malone. “He didn’t get the sack production, but like he was missing the stack, if he was rushing the passer, he had some really good bull rushes, able to turn and run and crush some people at some of the lower checks and things of that nature.”

Morris noted that Falcons safeties Jessie Bates III and Justin Simmons maintain a roof on the coverage, which reduces downfield throws and forces the ball to go underneath. When that happens, the defensive line has to turn around and chase — or “run down the pile,” as the Falcons call it.

Malone and Ebiketie did so on Sunday at a high level, contributing to one of Atlanta’s best defensive performances this year while providing hope for better days to come.

But on the other side of the coin is Judon, who now finds himself at a crossroads in a contract year – and still has a lot to prove.