Atlanta’s defense was fantastic in Atlanta’s 28-point win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, allowing 178 net yards to a battered Buffalo offense.

The grades should be good for the corps, which intercepted Bills QB Brian Brohm twice and converted a fumble into a touchdown.

Defensive Line: The unit’s two Johns pressured Brohm in this one, with DT Jonathan Babineaux and DE John Abraham each recording a sack. DE Chauncey Davis forced a fumble and DE Lawrence Sidbury picked it up and scampered 11 yards for a score with half the Buffalo offense on his back. The group also held the Bills to 40 net rushing yards. Bonus points to Kory Biermann for adding kickoff duties to his resume after injuries to Mike Koenen and Matt Bryant. Grade: A+

Jonathan Babineaux and the Falcons' defensive line harassed Bills QB Brian Brohm throughout Sunday's game.

Linebackers: A quiet, unassuming afternoon for the linebacker corps, which recorded just seven tackles. But that number is deceiving. Atlanta’s LBs were strong all afternoon, not allowing Buffalo to gain more than 15 yards on any single play. Grade: A-

Secondary: Once again impressive. CB Brent Grimes had yet another interception and led the team with nine tackles. Rookie CB Chris Owens also had a pick, while SS Eric Coleman notched six tackles and an assist. In all, the group held the Bills to 138 net passing yards. Grade: A

Special Teams: All things considered, things weren’t that bad for the special teams unit, which was decimated by injuries to Koenen and Bryant. Koenen averaged 41.5 yards per punt before leaving with a head injury in the third quarter. He also kicked the ball into the end zone three times before giving way to Biermann. Bryant missed a long field goal at the end of the half but connected on his other attempt and put all four of his extra point attempts through the uprights despite nursing a hamstring injury. Grade: B

Coaching: The coaching staff continues to keep the team motivated despite the fact that it was eliminated from the playoffs a week ago. They devised an ideal game plan against an inferior opponent and executed it perfectly to keep the dream of the franchise’s first back-to-back winning seasons alive. Grade: A

-- PHIL FOLEY