Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux had the kind of game he’s known for this season in last week’s win over Tennessee. After struggling through injuries for most of this year, it appears he’s finally got health on his side and is starting to show the rest of the league why he’s an impact player at his position once again. 

When you’re a defensive player and you’re in the backfield as much as Jonathan Babineaux was in Sunday’s win over the Titans, you deserve to be talked about.

Babineaux paced Atlanta’s run-stopping efforts with three tackles, two for a loss. His impressive day didn’t just end with stopping the Titans’ Chris Johnson. He made life difficult for Tennessee’s quarterbacks as well, hitting them twice and knocking two passes down.

After battling injuries to begin the season and searching for good health, Babineaux seems to think things started to come together for him in Week 11.

“I felt really good physically today in comparison to the last few weeks,” the defensive tackle said after Sunday’s win. “I am very happy it produced results for the defense. It is no secret that I have been battling injuries all season long, but it was great to get back to making plays and dominating.”

Yes, the player affectionately known as U.S.S. Babineaux referred to his play as dominating. There’s nothing wrong with that when you’ve got the stats to back it up. Babs does and his head coach singled him out in his post-game comments regarding Atlanta’s run defense. He called Babineaux a “tempo setter” in the win and he continued to sing the praises of his seventh-year veteran on Monday.

“This, by far, was his most impressive game with the penetration, the two tackles for losses, the batted balls,” Smith said. “That’s the Jonathan Babineaux that we’ve become accustomed to seeing play and it’s great timing for us right now to have Jonathan as healthy as he’s been all season long.”

Smith said Babineaux was slowed this season with two injuries, not just one. A knee injury and an ankle injury have both hampered the player many believe is one of the most underrated players at the defensive tackle position in the NFL. Smith said he’s seen the progression this season for Babineaux as his health has improved.

Always one to throw out a joke, Babineaux said he had a great bowl of cereal on Sunday morning before the game and to that he attributed his 2011 breakout game. It was probably more the good health, but one other factor may have been involved other than health and cereal.

Babineaux’s brother, Jordan, plays safety for the Titans and the Babineaux family made the trip to Atlanta for the brother-against-brother showdown. Jonathan, the eldest by one year, said the extra eyes on him certainly didn’t hurt his motivation to come out strong on Sunday.

“Well, you know it’s always important to put on a show when you have family in town,” he said. “It was great to have an opportunity to play against my brother on a high level and have the family in the stands watching every second. Suffice to say, I am glad that I am the one who got the win.”

This coming Sunday, he’ll be looking for another win and another big game. Against a running back like Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, a big day by Babineaux will be helpful.

Peterson is fifth in the NFL in rushing yards and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry this season. His ten rushing touchdowns is tied for first in the entire league. Last week Peterson suffered a high ankle sprain and it’s still unknown whether he’ll be ready to go for the Vikings.