The message was obviously received, because the difference in the second half was stark.
The Falcons had 257 yards at halftime, when they led 21-10. They had six plays of 15 yards or more, and Drake London had five catches for 108 yards, while Bijan Robinson had 16 carries for 93 yards (5.8 per carry).
In the second half, the entire Falcons team managed just 91 yards and six points, and didn't have a play longer than 12 yards.
Message received.
"We were all eyes, all ears, everything," defensive end LaBryan Ray said. "That's somebody that, you know, just comes in and works, and man, he's just a hell of a leader. And it worked."
"You know it's on when Derrick starts talking," defensive tackle Bobby Brown III said. "We've had a decent season, but that doesn't mean we haven't had our ups and downs, our bumps and bruises. Guys speak up and say things when they feel like it needs to be said."
And clearly, Brown felt like something needed to be said.