September 17, 2024
Article by Allison Smith
Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons
Never count the Falcons out. Especially in a close game in prime time. For the world to see, after losing the first game of the season, at home, without giving up a touchdown, the Falcons fought to not become the 10th team with an 0-2 start to the 2024 season. And in good timing. The first 6 games are pretty tough, good Pittsburg and Philadelphia teams, the defending Super Bowl champs of Kansas City, then, the Falcons make their first run through the NFC South. Two of the NFC South teams are 2-0. Also of note, 3 of those games, while at home, are in a 12-day window, 2 prime time games, before heading up 85N to Carolina.
All that to say, this was a good time to win and get some momentum started for the season. The defense was lights out in both games, only giving up (long) field goals in game one. In Philadelphia, they made some great stands as well. A stop on 4th down, a touchdown pass deflected forcing a field goal. All in a very hostile and loud environment. The Falcons’ D went toe to toe with a great offense. Their win Monday night really validated the defense and Head Coach Raheem Morris and the plans for 2024. This sets the team up well to host Kansas City this coming week. The fourth and one stop early in the game, set the tone. There was better tackling overall this week. Saquan Barkley and Jalen Hurts definitely were harder to get down, but only gave up a few big plays.
Jessie Bates was the all-star of the win Monday night. Not because of the game winning interception, but he led the team in tackles, is always active and applying pressure, leader on and off the field. But his actual biggest play of the night was knocking that touchdown catch out of the receiver’s hand – stopping a third quarter touchdown that would have put the game out of reach. The Eagles settled for a field goal. Jessie finished with 12 tackles, 7 solo, 1 tackle for loss, 2 passes defended……oh, and an interception. Being so aggressive, Bates did outrun the play a few times, was out of position giving Hurts some extra yards, but he is always the closer in the end.
Justin Simmons is making his presence felt, knocking folks around last night (5 tackles), which will continue and show why he was brought in. Speaking of newly added free agents, Matthew Judon had a sack, 6 tackles, 2 for loss. Grady Jarrett was a beast on the inside as usual, while only having 2 tackles, he had 3 quarterback hits (most on the team) and often chased Hurts out of the pocket and forced errant throws. Speaking of affecting the quarterback, Kaden Elliss was a step away for Hurts as he released his last ball of the night, that found its way into Bates’ hands. Elliss amassed 11 tackles (2nd most) and 1 QB hit. Troy Anderson followed with 9 and AJ Terrell with 7 total, all solo. Elliss and Anderson struggled a little with open field tackles on Barkley and Hurts, but made up for it with the rest or their play. Arnold Ebiketie and David Onyemata stepped up later in the game and had 3 tackles a piece.
We are starting to see some new, good things from the O. Still think we need to use Drake London and Kyle Pitts more, but definitely see the impact of adding Darnell Mooney and Clemson boy Ray Ray McCloud. Kudos to the Falcons for actually using him as a receiver instead of just a returner. Everyone slept on Ray Ray, except for Rah and Terry Fontenot (and me). Similarly, Mooney never was appreciated or used enough in Chicago, but getting him more active in this offense is going to spread it out and allow everyone to get in on the action. Mooney had a touchdown, a 41-yard reception, and lots of motion in the backfield. Seeing Drake fake the post and catch that touchdown shows why he is so special and drafted so high, now that we are using him correctly. Drake’s first visit back in end zone since the London, England game October of 2023.
Kyle and Bijan Robinson were picking up blitzes and chipping guys….so even though Kyle didn’t have huge numbers, he had them when we needed them and blocking, giving Kirk Cousins a few more seconds to make decisions and get completions. Bijan is just a beast, still can’t believe this is his second year in the NFL. Overall, Kirk was composed and calmly led the team down the field for the game winning touchdown.
Bijan’s breaking tackles, and the consistency with the run game between Bijan and Tyler Allgeier, really opened up the offense, credit to OC Zac Robinson. Tyler and Bijan ran well behind the offensive line against a stout Eagles’ defense. Got a broad stroke catalog of what this offense can and will do. Zac Robinson is just now scratching the surface of this new offense, now that we are out of the bland pre-season.
Cousins was 20 of 29 for 241 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions and sack, due to Chris Lindstrom not holding his block long enough. Cousins was more mobile this week and spread the ball around pretty well. Especially on the final drive, going 5 of 6 for 70 yards and the touchdown, note that the 1 incompletion should have been PI for Ray Ray, but here we are. Overall, Mooney was targeted 7 times, caught 3 for 88 yards, 47 on the final drive.
London caught 6 of 7 passes for 54 yards, Ray Ray caught 3 of 5 (again, 1 should have been a PI), making several conversions early. Pitts caught 3 of 4 for 20 yards, 2 of those receptions in the final drive. Bijan caught 4 balls for 25 yards with Tyler catching his only target for 12 yards. In the run game, Bijan carried 14 times for 97 yards, while Tyler had 9 carries for 53 yards. Tyler had more playing time this week, but still not as much as they could do with this two headed monster.
The offensive line was much better this week. The first drive of the 2nd half was a pass to Bijan, then 2 Bijan runs, another pass to Bijan, then 3 Tyler runs before a sack and field goal. This series really gassing the defense. The O line was holding up and really making the strong Philly defense work. Cousins was only pressured 5 of his 25 drop backs. Matthew Bergeron and Drew Dalman were much improved, while Lindstrom did struggle some. But there were no penalties on the line.
Overall, there were only 3 penalties on the whole team, 2 of which were on Drake for celebrating and Ray Ray, for – no one knows. The third was on JD Bertrand covering a punt and blocking above the waist. That is a really clean game.
This game was well worth staying up past midnight to watch the dramatic end, celebrate online with fellow fans, and hear and see all of the interviews and excitement from the team.
Have a feeling this is going to be a good season.
In Rah We Trust
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