Gameday Goods – Page 3 – FalconAlley Football

Falcons Lose As Time Expires

Detroit Lions 23 at Atlanta Falcons 22

October 25, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons rolled out their third and final new jersey of the season. The red gradient jerseys. After the rain passed, the roof was opened. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s daughter Dr. Bernice King pulled the train horn to kick off the game while overlooking the field, painted with “Rise Up and Vote.”

The only item of note on the Inactive list this week is that with Takk McKinley back on the active roster, Deadrin Senat is back to the inactives. Jaylinn Hawkins is still inactive with an injury.

The Falcons receive the opening kickoff and begin on their own 18. Matt Ryan hands to Todd Gurley who finds no room running parallel to the line of scrimmage. On 2^nd and 9, Ryan is under pressure and throws a quick shot to Hayden Hurst, but he cannot haul the pass in. On 3^rd and 9, Ryan finds Hurst short of the marker, but he stumbles forward for the first down. From the 31, Julio Jones is in motion with Gurley in the backfield, he gets the call and rushes for 3 yards. Another Gurley run for short gain. Alex Mack is collapsed on the field under Gurley. Rookie Matt Hennessy comes on for Mack. On 3^rd and 5, Ryan cannot connect with Russell Gage for the first down and the Falcons punt.

Matt Stafford leads the Lions onto the field. On first down, Adrian Peterson finds a hole for a 7-yard gain and is stopped by Deion Jones. From the 31, Peterson gains no yards, as he is met by the whole line. On 3^rd and 4, Keanu Neal ensures the tight end cannot gain the 3 yards. The Lions punt to Brandon Powell as the ball rolls into the end zone.

Gurley is in the backfield, Ryan making adjustments at the line. Gurley gets a couple of yards. On 2^nd and 8, Ryan drops back, but quickly throws near laterally to Gage who loses two yards and is down, looking not good on the field. Gage is helped off the field. Powell comes in for Gage and Brian Hill is in at running back and gets the call for a 7-yard gain. Hofrichter back on to punt.

Stafford begins at the 29 and finds a wide-open TJ Hockenson for a 16-yard pick up. Stafford goes deep for former Falcon Marvin Hall, who is blanketed by rookie AJ Terrell and the ball is complete. On 2^nd and 10, Stafford gives to Peterson who quickly meets Foye Oluokun for a 1-yard gain. On 3^rd and 9 at the 46, Stafford from the shotgun, finds a wide-open Marvin Jones at the 31 of Atlanta. Zone defense is opening the offense up. A 23-yard pick up. D’Andre Swift rushes for 8 yards. Swift with the first down, breaking tackles and gaining 13 yards, where he is stopped by Ricardo Allen. Grady Jarrett stops Swift from scoring. On 2^nd and goal from the 7, Oluokun stops Jones from making the reception. On 3^rd and goal, Stafford scrambles and while looking for a receiver, doesn’t even see Terrell who lays him out. Terrell is called for roughing the passer. Swift scores a touchdown on the next play.

With 4:11, the Lions lead 7/0.

The Falcons begin at their own 18. A Gurley rush of 2 yards, then an incomplete to Julio Jones forces a third down. On 3^rd and 8, Ryan is under pressure and cannot connect with Powell and another punt.

The Lions begin on their on 37. Stafford passes to Peterson at the line of scrimmage where McKinley takes him out of bounds. On 2^nd and 9, Stafford changes the play, then hands to Peterson who gained no yards, stopped by Neal who got off the WR block. On 3^rd and 9, Stafford throws to Amendola at the first down marker, but he cannot haul the ball in. Another Lions punt.

Grady Jarrett and Keanu Neal stop Adrian Peterson – Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons/Kyle Hess

The Falcons begin on their own 11 with less than 2 minutes to go in the first quarter. Hurst makes the reception at the first down marker, makes a few yards and leaps over another defender. Jones gets the next pass for 8 yards. Near the 40, the pass is to Calvin Ridley on a slant route, but the ball was too far back on his shoulder and cannot haul in the pass. Raheem Morris throws the challenge flag that Hurst caught the ball on a deflection. The ball bounced off of Ridley’s shoulder, off the defender twice and while still in the air, Hurst hauled it in. The call was reverse and the Falcons have a first down at their own 42. A fake to Gurley and a too high pass to Ridley near the sideline. Ryan dumps off to Hill who gains 9 yards as the quarter ends.

End of first quarter, the Lions lead 7/0 over the Falcons, who are driving near midfield.

At the Detroit 49, the Falcons are 2^nd and 1, Olamide Zaccheaus takes the snap and pushes up the middle for no gain. On 4^th and 1, Hurst is in motion and gains the first down and 9 yards. Ryan is flushed out of pocket and from the line of scrimmage finds Ridley on the sideline, while dragging toes to ensure he is in bounds. From the Lions 22, Ryan fakes to Gurley and lobs it to the end zone to Hurst who nearly makes a one-handed catch. There is a hold on the defense providing 5 yards and a first down at the 17. Ryan hands off to Gurley who gains no yards before heading out of bounds. On 2^nd and 10 Ryan finds Powell for the touchdown, but is negated by a Ridley PI. On 2^nd and 20, Ryan from the shotgun, finds Gurley over the middle for 11 yards. On 3^rd and 9, Ryan throws out of the end zone over Ridley, who gets up a little gimpy. PI called on the defense, a fresh set of downs and the all on the 1. Ryan fakes to Gurley and Luke Stocker cannot make the reception. On 2^nd and goal, Gurley runs into a wall and is stopped at the 2. Third down, Gurley goes around the right side and gets the touchdown.

With 10:54 to go to the half, the game is tied at 7.

After the kickoff, the Lions begin on their own 21. Stafford fakes to Peterson and connects with Kenny Golladay under coverage of Kendall Sheffield and Deion Jones. After a 13-yard pick up, Peterson gets the call for a 7-yard gain. At the 41, Peterson gains no yards and Swift returns to the game. On 3^rd and 3, Stafford finds Amendola wide open on the sideline for an 18-yard gain. Jarrett is called for a roughing the passer for shoving Stafford after the release of the ball. Swift is run out of bounds by Jones. On 3^rd and 11 from the Falcons 12, Hockenson is open and makes the 10-yard reception. On 4^th and 1, Peterson gets the ball and Dante Fowler makes the stop behind the line of scrimmage. A flag comes onto the field AFTER the end of the play. Fowler’s helmet was knocked off by another player, but the Falcons were charged with a penalty.

The Falcons begin on their own 2. Ryan and Hurst cannot connect on first down. Gurley steps over a player for another yard. On 3^rd and 8 from the end zone, Ryan finds Ridley at the 31 for a 27-yard first down reception. Hill gets the call for a yard. On 2^nd and 9 Ryan drops back, under a delayed blitz, Ryan scrambles and runs, then sees Hill for a short gain, who goes for the first down on his own. From the 43, Ryan hands to Hill who shoves his way for 2 yards. on 2^nd and 8, Ryan finds Hurst across midfield for a 17-yard reception. Hurst was settled in behind the smaller linebackers and just waited on the ball.

Two Minute Warning.

From the 38, Gurley gains 3 yards. Jones returns to the field, plays decoy and Powell hauls in the reception for 4 yards. on 3^rd and 3, Ryan find Jones for a 13-yard gain to the 18. Jones is standing at the 5 where he catches the next pass, before gimping off the field again. The Falcons call Time out. First and goal from the 5, Gurley gets the call and gains a few yards. Jones is being stretched out on the sideline, then comes back onto the field. The Lions take a time out with 42 seconds remaining. Second down, Ryan drops back and finds Ridley in the back of the end zone, one foot in, second foot out. On third down, Ryan finds Ridley in the middle of the end zone for the touchdown. Ridley had escaped his defender and was wide open at the point of reception.

29 seconds to go to half and the Falcons take the 14/7 lead.

Stafford finds Hockenson for a 10-yard reception where he is knocked out of bounds by Neal. Detroit takes a time out. Golladay makes the 18-yard reception under Sheffield zone coverage. From the Falcons 47, the Lions are called for false start and moved back 5 yards to their 47. On 1^st and 15, Stafford finds Jones at the 33. They quickly snap and down the ball and with 3 seconds to go, the Lions kick a 50-yard field goal.

At half time – Falcons 14, Lions 10.

The Lions start on their own 14, a handoff to Swift goes for 2 yards. On 2^nd down, Jones is standing between Oluokun and Neal for the 16-yard reception. As Stafford is still dropping back, Neal sacks him for a 9-yard loss. He was untouched. On 2^nd and 19, Jones almost gets to Stafford, but Swift has the ball and jetting up for 8 yards. on 3^rd and 11, the offensive line is holding up well, Stafford finds Golladay for 29 yards and is taken down by Neal. A Swift handoff along the right side, gains 24 yards, but is called back due to offensive holding. From midfield, a first and 20, pass to Swift gains back 13 yards. Peterson gets the call up the middle easily for a first down and few more yards. From the Falcons 29, Peterson goes for a few yards and stopped by Sherrod Neasman. On 2^nd and 7, Peterson gains no yards, mainly stopped by Oluokun. Stafford drops back, and UNBLOCKED, Jones come flying at him, Stafford ducks down some and Jones sacks him as he glides over him. The Lions are forced to kick another field goal.

With 7:34 to go in the 3^rd quarter, Falcons lead is cut to 1, leading 14/13.

The Falcons start on their own 15, with a Ryan pass to Gage for a 9-yard gain. Gurley gets the first down, but only 2 yards. A fake to Gurley and then passes toward Gurley, just out of reach. Ryan find Jones for a 5-yard gain over the middle. Jones is in the slot, while Ryan is scrambling, he is sacked for a 4-yard loss. Ryan was expecting zone and is on the sideline yelling at people.

After the punt, the Lions will begin at their own 31. An incompletion begins the Lions drive. Stafford finds Amendola for a 3-yard gain, stopped by Isaiah Oliver. The Falcons take a time out. On 3^rd and 7, Stafford passes into an empty spot on the field and lets out some bad words too. Two of the Lion receivers were in the same spot, literally running into each other. The Lions punt, Powell calls for a fair catch at the 15, but the ball bounces and stops at the 6.

Gurley runs up the middle for 5 yards. Gurley finds an opening, shoves his way literally through defenders and picks up 13 yards. Ryan drops back and finds Jones just past the first down marker, then Jones pushes for 7 more yards. At the 41, Gurley pushes into a crowd for 2 yards. On 2^nd and 8, Ryan drops back and finds Hurst near the first down marker, Hurst stretches it out for the first down. Across midfield, a fake to Gurley and Ryan bounce passes toward Hurst. On 2^nd and 10, Ryan zings in a ball to Jones, which looked like an interception, but went just past the hands of the defender into Jones for an 8-yard gain. Another pass to Jones for a first down.

End of the 3^rd quarter, Falcons driving with the 14/13 lead.

From the Lions 36, Gurley takes the ball for a few yards, but negated and moved back by a Jaeden Graham holding penalty. First and 10 from the 46, Ryan find a wide-open Jones inside the 20. Stocker is called for a false start and the Falcons move back to the 23. Gurley goes for 9 yards, then is stopped for a loss of 6 yards. On 3^rd and 12, Ryan, on the run, finds Ridley headed out of bounds for a gain of 7 yards. At the 13, on 4^th and 5, Ryan’s pass to Ito Smith is knocked down before it reaches Smith.

The Lions take over at their own 13. Swift rushes for 3 yards. Stafford drops back and finds Golladay who rips the ball out of Terrell’s hands…both had their hands on the ball. Morris challenges that Golladay made the catch in bounds. The call was not overturned and the Falcons lose their 2^nd time out. Stafford is nearly sacked by Neal but makes the completion to Jones at the 49, where he is hard met by Allen. Jones makes the next reception and is tackled by Jarrett at the 45. On 2^nd and 4, Peterson goes for 3 yards. On the 3^rd and 1, Peterson is shoved back for a loss by rookie Mykal Walker. On 4^th and 2, the Lions fake the punt, then he steps up under center to try and pull the Falcons off. The Lions challenge the previous play, that Deion Jones didn’t get off the field in time and the Falcons had 12 men “technically” on the field as Stafford quick snapped. Jones had one foot still on the field, but the officials gave 5 yards to the Lions. On their free first down, the Lions gain a yard. On 2^nd and 9, Stafford slings it incomplete to Swift with Fowler in his face. Golladay makes the reception near the first down marker, but is a fourth down as he is stopped short by Sheffield. Matt Prater’s field goal is wide right and the Falcons maintain the lead.

Ryan finds an open Ridley for a first down at the 48. From the 48, Gurley is hit in the backfield for a 3-yard loss. Back at the 45, Ryan delays the handoff to Gurley, who still cannot find an opening, gains back the lost 3 yards. On 3^rd down, Ryan fumbles the ball and it is recovered by the Lions. Jake Matthews didn’t hold his block.

Fowler comes off the side and stops Swift for a 6-yard loss. The Swift reception at the line of scrimmage is stopped and Steven Means forces him back 2 more yards. On 3^rd and 17, Stafford steps up and then has to pull the ball down and run himself as Oluokun makes the hit. Prater makes the 49-yard field goal and the Lions take back the lead.

With 3:16 to go in the game, the Lions lead 16/14.

Powell brings the kickoff from the 1 to the 24, where a small scruff ensues. Ryan finds Gage for a 6-yard gain, then a first down. Ryan finds Gurley underneath for an 8-yard gain.

Two Minute Warning.

The Falcons have one timeout and the ball at their own 47, needing 2 yards for the first down. Ryan scrambles under pressure, then finds Gage, double covered at the Lions 36. Gage leaped and made a one-handed catch. On first down, Ryan finds Gage near the sideline for another first down at the 21. Gage and Ridley are on the sideline and Ryan hands to Gurley who literally refuses to be stopped, partially hopping on one foot, but moving for an 8-yard gain. Lions call a timeout. With 1:25 to go in the game on 2^nd and 2 at the 13, Gurley goes to the left side and gains 1 yard. The Lions call another timeout.

On 3^rd and 1 with 1:18 to go in the game, Gurley stutter steps and waits, then busts through a hole and gets the first down. The ball is on the ground, but Gurley rips it quickly back in. Keith Smith and Chris Lindstrom providing the big blocks. Next play, Gurley goes up the middle, flying through defenders and tries to stop himself before going into the end zone, but falls into the end zone. A side-arm throw under pressure to Ridley gives the successful 2-point conversion.

With 1:04 left in the game, the Falcons lead 22 to 16 over the Lions.

From the 25, Stafford lobs the ball up past the first down marker, but the ball and receiver are out of bounds. Second and 10, under pressure, Stafford finds Hockenson near the sideline, he cannot get out of bounds as Terrell is blocking it and Oliver and Oluokon are pulling him down inside. This takes many precious ticks off the clock. Stafford rushes them back to the line to snap and down the ball. With 34 seconds remaining, from the Lions 33, Stafford drops back then sidearm throws up to the Falcons 40. Another snap and downing of the ball. 19 seconds from the Falcons 40, Stafford throws down to the 8-yard line to Golladay. There is a flag on the play. 3 seconds to go. The Lions snap the ball before the Falcons are even set. The catch is under review from the booth. The ruling of the catch stands. Still 3 seconds on the clock. Everyone is lined up and ready as the clock starts. Stafford spikes the ball with 2 seconds remaining. The ball is at the 11. Stafford drops back and finds Hockenson in the end zone escaping coverage of Jones and Oluokon. As time expires, there is a flag on the play. Unsportsmanlike conduct by Amendola moves the Lions back 15 yards. The extra point is attempted from the 30, so a 48-yard extra point attempt. It is good and the Falcons lose again.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

New Coach, New Result for Atlanta Falcons

October 18, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons 40 at Minnesota Vikings 23

The Atlanta Falcons are in their all white uniforms today in Minnesota. Julio Jones is back from his hamstring injury. Inactives include Takk McKinley and Jaylinn Hawkins due to injury, and Jordan Miller, Qadree Ollison, and John Wetzel. Note that John Cominsky and Marlon Davidson are on the COVID reserve list.

“Interim” Head Coach Raheem Morris makes his debut today leading the Atlanta Falcons into Minnesota. Morris made a few staffing changes after being named the HC of the Falcons and will not continue his Defensive Coordinator role.

Younghoe Koo kicks off to start the game with a return to the 24.

Kirk Cousins fakes the handoff and throws to…..DEION JONES. After a 17-yard return, the Falcons offense will take the field at the Minnesota 29.

A handoff to Todd Gurley for 9 yards to start, then Gurley gets the first down on the next play. From the 19, Matt Ryan tosses back to Gurley, who is stopped by Cam Dantzler for a 4-yard loss. On 2^nd down, Ryan looks down the field but tosses to Gurley for a 3-yard gain, still 11 yards to go for the first down. Ryan finds an open Julio Jones in the end zone for a quick score.

With 12:02 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 7/0.

Koo to kickoff again, a big return across the 25.

Cousins is under center, fakes the handoff, is nearly sacked, but dumps it to Justin Jefferson who is stopped, hard, behind the line by AJ Terrell. On 2^nd and 12, it is a handoff by Alexander Mattison who is stopped after 7 yards. Terrell makes the stop again forcing the 4^th down.

The Falcons begin on their own 14, with another handoff to Gurley for a 6-yard gain. On 2^nd and 4, Ryan from the shotgun, confuses Gurley who is called for a false start. He leaves the field and on 2^nd and 9, Ryan is pressured, finds Jones short, who turns the gain into a 23-yard gain. Russell Gage and Jake Matthews opening up a hole for Jones on the left side. Next, Calvin Ridley gains 8 yards as a running back along the left side. Near midfield, on 2^nd and 2, Ryan hands to Gurley who is stuffed in the backfield again. On 3^rd and 3, Ryan drops back and finds Hayden Hurst across midfield for an 8-yard gain and first down. A play fake yields an incomplete pass by Ryan. Ryan changes the play at the line, then scrambles and runs for 5 yards along the right sideline. On 3^rd and 5, Gurley forces through for 4 yards. The offense stays on the field for a 4^th and 1 at the 33. Gurley goes straight ahead for several yards and another first down. A short pass to a sliding Ridley for 5 yards. Under center, Ryan changes the play several times, then tosses back to Brian Hill for no gain. On 3^rd and 7, Hill gains a single yard and the Falcons are forced to kick a 50-yard field goal.

With 3:12 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 10/0.

Mattison gets the first call of this series where he meets Keanu Neal for a massive hit and 3-yard loss. Cousins passes to Mattison near the line of scrimmage and the Vikings have a 3^rd and 9. Cousin drops back, under pressure throws short of the receiver with D Jones in coverage and the ball falls incomplete. Terrell’s tight coverage down the field closes off that option. The Vikings punt to Brandon Powell.

From the 45, Ryan rolls right and finds Russell Gage for a 19-yard reception. Another play action pass to Keith Smith for a 3-yard gain. On 2^nd and 7, Ryan, from the shotgun, hands to Hill who has a good run, but the ball comes flying out and is recovered by the Vikings.

The Vikings take over at their own 24. Cousins fakes and throws long to wide open Irv Smith with Neal in coverage. A 36-yard reception to end the quarter.

The end of the first quarter has Minnesota driving, but still down 10/0.

Mattison gains a single yard to start quarter. Cousins hits Kyle Rudolph for a 19-yard gain, to the Falcons 20. Cousins finds Jefferson near the end zone for a first down. From the 3 1/2, Mattison gets the ball and meets Foye Oluokun quickly at the line. On 2^nd down, back to Mattison up the middle where he is stopped by the defense at the 1. Cousin fakes to Mike Boone, a pass to Smith and Jones knocks the ball out at the goal line. On 4^th down, a quick snap goes to Boone and Dante Fowler sniffs it out and slows him down, while Neal and Grady Jarrett make the stop.

You Shall Not Pass….Keanu Neal and Grady Jarrett stop Mike Boone at the goal line on 4th down. Photo Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Starting on their own 2, Gurley moves the Falcons out to the 5. Gurley gets a first down on the next run, along the right side. Gurley gets the toss play and steps out of bounds for a 3-yard loss. On 2^nd and 13, Ryan throws the ball short to Gurley. The flag on the play is for a personal foul for a player lowering his head, so a freebie first down and move out to the 30. On first down, Ryan fakes to Ito Smith and finds Ridley who spins his way near midfield. Ridley makes a cut and change of direction before the catch to completely get open from the defender. Ryan scrambles around after a fake to Smith, then falls down to end the play. On 2^nd and 14, Ryan is sacked. Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary are blown through for the sack. Third and 17, Ryan is under great pressure and throws into the dirt.

Sterling Hofrichter punts to the 15-yard line.

Rookie AJ Terrell Makes Remarkable and His First Interception of the Season – Photo Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Cousins hands to Mattison who finds room along the left side for a 16-yard gain. Cousins cannot find anyone downfield, he runs toward the sideline, getting knocked by Neal as he lets go of the ball. Next is another handoff to Mattison for a short gain. On 3^rd and 9, Cousins finds AJ TERRELL, for his first INT of his rookie season. A low ball, Terrell left his guy, caught the ball between his legs, rolled up to maintain possession. Falcons ball at the 40.

With 5:46 to go to the half, Ryan hands to Gurley for a couple of yards. Ridley makes the short reception, makes a man miss, twirls and makes another first down as he heads out of bounds. Seeing something he didn’t like, Ryan calls a time out. From the 24, Ryan finds Ridley at the first down marker, but had to come back to escape a tackle and ended with a 9-yard gain. From the Vikings 15, Ryan hands to Gurley who is dropped in the backfield for a loss. Keith Smith let the defender by. From the shotgun, Ryan finds Jones who gets the first down, right at the marker. Ryan finds Jones on the sideline for a quick 5 yards.

After the 2-minute warning, Ryan finds Ridley at the 7, who then zooms in for the touchdown!

Koo’s successful extra point extends the Falcons lead just under 2 minutes til half time to 17/0.

Cousins scrambles and finally finds Adam Thielen for a first down. Rudolph makes the next reception for 9-yard gain. Then a quick rush for a first down to the left, stopped by Oluokun at midfield. From the shotgun, Cousins reception is complete, but the play is negated by an offsides penalty. 1^st and 5, Cousins finds….FOYE OLUOKUN this time. With Jarrett inches away from the sack, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner tips the ball that falls into Oluokun’s hands.

At midfield, Ryan finds Hill along the sideline for a 3-yard gain. Ryan’s ball is deflected by the defender draping Jones, but the ball falls incomplete. On 3^rd and 7, Ryan finds Gage, who leaps over defenders to gain another few yards. Gage makes the next reception and runs out of bounds after another 4-yard gain. Hill gains 3 yards before the Falcons call a time out. On 3^rd and 3, Ryan finds Ito Smith 2-yards away, who then turns it into a 17-yard gain and almost a touchdown. Ryan throws out of the end zone, then a run by Hill up the middle. The Falcons take their final time out with 4 seconds to go and Koo adds another 3 on a 21-yard field goal.

With 1 second to go, the Vikings run a play, stopped by Terrell….and the whole Falcons line.

Halftime: Falcons 20 Vikings 0.

Powell takes the ball out of the end zone, loses the ball, but rookie Mykal Walker recovers the fumble. Ryan starts at the 16 with a change of play and move into the shotgun. He finds Olamide Zaccheaus upfield, who cannot hold on due to a hard hit by the defender. Ryan fakes to Ito Smith, then finds Ridley near the sideline for 7 yards. On 3^rd and 3, Ryan finds Gage at midfield for a big 27-yard gain. At the 50, Ryan drops back and throws across the field toward Ridley, but too short. On 2^nd down, Ryan finds Jones for a 5-yard reception, Jones forces 2 more. On 3^rd and 3, Ryan throws over the middle to Hurst, who makes the first down, but then takes a seat on the field after being flipped over. Fake the toss and Ryan throws across the field to Powell for no gain….but there is a flag on the defense, moving the Falcons up and another first down. From the 32, Gurley runs for 4 yards to the right. Changing the play at the line again, Ryan is pressured and throws way out of bounds over Ridley. A third and six is thrown out of bounds, out of the reach of Christian Blake. Koo kicks a 47-yard field goal.

With 10:45 to go in the 3^rd, Falcons lead 23/0.

The Vikings throw to Jefferson for a 35-yard gain with Kendall Sheffield in coverage, just a couple steps too far away. Cousins finds wide open Rudolph for a 9-yard gain, with an illegal hands to face by Atlanta, which is accepted for a 1^st and 5. Mattison tries to go up the middle, but Jones is there to stop for an 11 yard loss. The reception is made for a short gain, but Walker is there for a big tackle immediately. The offense is called for holding, which back them up farther. On 2^nd and 24, the Vikings at midfield, Cousins hits Jefferson for 19 yards. On 3^rd and 5, Cousins finds Jefferson along the sideline with tight coverage by Sheffield. From the 22, Cousins bootlegs out, is rocked by Jones as he releases the ball that goes out of the back of the end zone. On 2^nd down, Cousins drops back, throws up to Boone who is dropped at the 16 by Isaiah Oliver. On 3^rd and 4, Cousins throws out of the end zone again. The Vikings offense lines up on 4^th down. Cousins finds Smith over the middle, at the first down marker. Tackled by Jones. From the Falcons 11, Cousins rifles one to Jefferson that Terrell takes down, but in the end zone for their first score of the game.

With 6:25 to go in the 3^rd quarter, Falcons still up, 23/7.

Powell brings the kickoff out again, this time maintaining possession and up to the 30-yard line. Ryan hands to Hill for a 5-yard gain. Hill again, up the middle for a first down. Ito Smith goes up the middle for 4 yards. On 2^nd and 6, Ryan fakes to Ito Smith and finds Jones along the sideline for 7 yards. Gurley in for the play fake, but nothing is open so Ryan throws it at his feet. On 2^nd and 10, Ryan pumps then runs for an 8-yard run. Gurley gets the call, but is stopped behind the line.

Julio Jones – You Can’t Touch This, Photo Courtesy of Cato Cataldo/Atlanta Falcons

On 4^th and 3 at the 40, Ryan takes the high snap, scrambles ands starts to run, then comes back behind the line of scrimmage, finds Jones at the 29. Jones stiff arms the defender, then runs along the sideline for the touchdown. In the end zone, for the 2^nd time today, salutes the Atlanta Braves with the “Mix it up” sign.

With 2:01 to go in the 3^rd, the Falcons extend their lead 30/7.

From their 20, Cousins drops back, but is met by Allen Bailey for a 10-yard loss and sack with Jarrett right behind him. On 2^nd and 20, Cousins can’t find Mattison as he was tightly covered by Oluokun. On 3^rd and 20 from the 15, Cousins finds Jefferson at the 25, but stopping him there are Oluokun and Oliver. Another punt and no return.

Ryan hands off to Gurley for a 2-yard game before the quarter ends.

Fourth quarter begins with the Falcons driving and leading 30/7.

On 2^nd and 8 from their own 30, Ryan hands to Gurley for another 4 yards. Ryan finds Gurley short of the first down marker, but Gurley turns it into a 14-yard gain and first down. Near midfield, Ryan hands to Gurley again for a couple yard gain. Another 6 yards for Gurley, forcing a 3^rd and 1. From the backfield, Gurley gets the handoff but stopped way behind the line for a loss of 2 yards. On 4^th and 3, Hofrichter comes on to punt, but there is a false start by Tuioti-Mariner, moving the Falcons back to 4^th and 8. The punt goes to the 25.

Cousins is hit by Bailey as he throws out of bounds. Fowler was coming behind him as well. Mattison is knocked down by Bailey as he goes up the middle. On 3^rd and 6, Cousins has his pass batted down by Oliver, out of the hands of the receiver. Another Vikings punt taken by Powell at the 21 and returned to the 33.

Ryan opens it up and finds Jones for a 31-yard gain. One on one Dantzler and Jones – Jones always winning that one. Hill gets the handoff, but cannot gain any yards behind the left side. Ryan drops back and finds Hurst for 8 yards along the sideline. On 3^rd and 2, Ryan is in the shotgun and hands to Gurley who finds the first down up the middle of the line. Zaccheaus is headed downfield while Ryan is throwing short for an incompletion. Blake is in motion and makes the reception for 5 yards. On 3^rd and 5, after some scrambling, Ryan is sacked. The Falcons kick another field goal of 43 yards.

With 7:16 to go in the game, the Falcons extend their lead 33/7.

After the kickoff, the Vikings start at their own 25. Cousins finds Jefferson who is in the arms of the Oliver, but gains the 17-yard first down. Cousins finds Johnson, but a flag on the play by Sheffield moves the ball up and a first down. Amir Abdullah makes the reception, but falls just past the line of scrimmage. On 2^nd and 9, Cousins hits Smith for a 2 yard gain, stopped by Neal. Then, Thielen makes a 35-yard reception as he was blanketed by Terrell. From the 15, Cousins finds Beebe who is WWE slammed down by Jones. From the 6, Cousins throws to Rudolph just inside the end zone, but the ball hits the ground first. Abdullah gets the first down up the middle. From the 2, Cousins finds Thielen in the middle of the end zone for the touchdown, escaping the coverage of Jones. In for the 2-point conversion, Smith easily runs through the left side.

With 3:58 to go in the game, the Falcons lead 33/15. The onsides kick goes directly to Deion Jones and the Falcons take over the ball as the Minnesota 44. Ryan gives to Hill, who is stopped near the line, but then drags tacklers for a 9-yard gain. Hill gets no yards on the next attempt. On the 3^rd and 1, Hill gets the call again along the left side and doesn’t gain the first down. Minnesota takes a time out. On 4^th down, a fake to Hill, Hurst is wide open on the left sideline at the 30, with Zaccheaus taking on 3 defenders to keep him open. Hurst in for the touchdown.

Uncovered Hayden Hurst in for the 30-Yard Touchdown – Photo Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Beginning on their own 22, Cousins connects with Rudolph for a 19-yard gain, in the arms of Neal.

2:00 Warning: Falcons 33 Vikings 15 at their own 39. On first down, Cousins drops back, up to Smith across the 50 for a 13-yard gain. Jefferson escapes Sheffield for the 49-yard touchdown. They add the 2-point conversion.

With 1:26 to go in the game, the Falcons lead 40/23.

Another onsides kick, this time, similar to the INT’s to the Falcons, 2^nd onsides kick goes to AJ Terrell.

From the 49, Ito Smith goes 4 yards. Ryan takes a knee and the clock runs out…..with a Falcons WIN.

#RISEUP

Falcon Alley OWT

Another Decent Three Quarters of Falcons Ball

September 28, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Unfortunately, there are at least 4 quarters to play. The Falcons had NO penalties in the first 3 quarters, then 7, costly, penalties in the final quarter of the game for 75 yards. Similar to the Super Bowl year, similar to last week, and similar to many other games we have suffered through over the years, the Falcons can’t play a full 4 quarters of ball. In the Dan Quinn era, the Falcons have blown leads of 25, 20, 17 twice, and 16. For a forever Falcon fan, it is long suffering, but 5 of the 13 biggest leads have been blown in last 5 years. As you know, the 20 and 16 leads are back to back the last two weeks.

Everyone is accountable for their own performance. Whether prep work, education, coaching, play calling, or player execution.

With a 16 point lead late in the fourth quarter, the Falcons ran through three possessions, all of which were 3 and Outs, taking a TOTAL of 2 ½ minutes off the clock. The final possession was 3 ill-fated passes that took 22 seconds, with 2 of their best 3 receivers unavailable. Who didn’t know the ball was only going to Calvin Ridley? Chicago didn’t even have to take a time out at any time to save time for their comeback. Someone needs to have the responsibility to look at clock and the score and make opposing team use their time outs. As a coaching staff, you cannot run a much depleted defense back out on the field after a minute or less off the field. Instead of running time off the clock with the much touted run game, you put the defense back on the field. They have not proven able to stop in clutch situations, they started the game with a depleted staff due to injuries and just lost two more. The running backs were averaging 5.8 yards. Use what is working and eat up the clock. If the Falcons didn’t learn that in 2016, I guess they never will.

As bad as the defense had been in completing a full game especially in clutch situations, what has the offense done with turnovers or short fields?

Against the Bears, Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepts Mitch Trubisky at the Bears’ 19, Falcons get a field goal. Bears are intercepted in the end zone, 5 plays later the Falcons punt. Bears, 4^th and 17, Falcons get the ball and 3 plays later punt.

The Falcons cannot stop a team or score WHEN THEY NEED TO. In both 2-minute drives before halftime, the Falcons failed to get any points. Very conservative play calling to have the offensive weapons that the Falcons have. Everybody knows, the Falcons run on first down, get a few yards, then pass it the rest of the time. EVERYBODY knows that. That was seen in many of the 3 and outs on the day, and certainly near the end of the game.

The defense did seem to communicate and tackle better overall Sunday. On 3^rd downs, the defense got off the field more or forced 4^th downs that were unsuccessful. But with Ricardo Allen missing, you could see some assignment confusion and lack of leadership on the field. Rookie Mykal Walker stepped in and up to lead the team with 8 tackles, 1 for loss and a QB hit. Keanu Neal also had 8 tackles with 1.5 for loss, Isaiah Oliver and Deion Jones had 7 tackles a piece. Darqueze Dennard had 6 tackles, 2 passes defended and a crucial interception. This week, many defenders were rookie starters and others just off of the practice squad.

The defense gave up a 45-yard run by Trubisky. Oliver got turned around on the easiest wide receiver coverages in the NFL. On a 2^nd and 6, the Bears scored a 35-yard touchdown because Oliver cannot make the tackle. He dropped or missed two interceptions. On a 3^rd and 8, another explosive play, a 29-yard touchdown to Anthony Miller. The defense nearly gave up a touchdown on the 2^nd of the exact same play back to back in the end zone. Jimmy Graham and Miller ran the same route, the first time Oliver was in position and tips the ball, then Neal is in coverage and Miller caught the touchdown, but after review it was determined he didn’t have possession as he hit the ground. Good luck.

Does the defense have the right guys on the team? From the first 3 games it doesn’t look like it. The Falcons have the worst red zone defense in the NFL. In their 12 defenses of/in the red zone, 11 turned into touchdowns and one a field goal.

The offense looked good early as well, Ridley was targeted 13 times and caught 5 for 110 yards, most of those misses were on Ryan, not Ridley. Olamide Zaccheaus had 4 receptions for 41 yards, and returner Brandon Powell stepped in and had 3 catches on 4 targets for 27 yards. Russell Gage went out early after his 2^nd reception, totally 26 yards. Brian Hill had a single reception for 22 yards and 9 rushes for 58 yards and that long 35-yard touchdown run. Todd Gurley had 14 carries of 80 yards.

If Gurley cannot go more, then the Falcons need another solution (there are 3 other RBs on the roster), if he can, then use him. The run game started very positive with 144 rushing yards, Gurley was finally making people miss – broke out for 16-yard run and made 2 defenders miss on his touchdown run. Hill definitely made some defenders miss on a couple of nice runs, including his touchdown. If Gurley is supposed to be a weapon as a rushing receiver, Ryan needs to throw to him more than once a game.

It is the little details and focus. On a 3^rd and 5, Hill cannot hold onto the football, likely if he caught it, Hill was making a big gain, if not a touchdown. Certainly, it keeps the drive alive. On both 2-minute drives near the end of the half, no points scored and Ryan missed Ridley. Of course, the costly, possibly game winning interception near the end of the game. On a 3^rd and goal from the 4, with the Bears in man to man coverage, they brought cover zero and Ryan gets sacked, moving them so far back, they settled for a field goal. This was a nice 12 play drive for 53 yards before half. Ryan may have put up big numbers, but he did not have an overly good game. The 4^th quarter begins and Ryan has his pass batted down at the line. The Falcons sideline called a timeout. Back to the 3^rd and 7 and Ryan is sacked at the 30. It is 4^th and 11. Koo’s 48-yard field goal is wide left. How do you have a time out and still get sacked? Then the Koo miss.

Now declining is the 3^rd down offense. The Falcons were 4 for 13 on 3^rd down conversions. Anything that did go well last week, was bad again this week. Too many times the Bears were in man coverage and the Falcons made no adjustments. That is on the coaching.

Special Teams didn’t have a complete melt down, but Koo missed and early extra point and a manageable field goal. The Falcons lost by 4 points.

Guys cannot make plays when their number is called, is the defense even staffed correctly? You have to make the play when the play present themselves. Win your one on one match up. Wreh-Wilson, Dennard, Ridley did. Not many others did Sunday.

If the final falls on Quinn…..and the players love him so much…..they should be performing better. Maybe THIS loss is the one that makes the change. They have to be coaching and playing for jobs very soon. The Falcons have not started 0-3 since 2007, the Bobby Petrino era. We all know how that ended.

Overall, to me, the lack of concern by Dan Quinn and Matt Ryan is even more frustrating. “Being close” and just not finishing, that isn’t enough. “Not getting blown out” is not a good response. Your team is allowing huge and disastrous collapses. Until there is a * noting close games or injury riddled teams and you get partial credit for good play. The Falcons are not finishing on either side of the ball.

Good teams find ways to win. I have been a fan since the 1980s and know bad teams and bad direction. There is no reason with the talent that is on this team, that the performance is so bad.

This does not bode well for a primetime trip to Green Bay. Even a non-snowy, quiet Green Bay.

Golden Talon:

Calvin Ridley – The up and coming Julio Jones. Even with no touchdowns this week, opened the game with a 63-yard touchdown. Finished the game with 5 receptions for 110 yards.
Brian Hill – Running and catching and breaking tackles. 58 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, and a touchdown in limited playing time.
Darqueze Dennard – After a rough first couple of games, Dennard was moved to his natural CB position and was aggressive and aware for most of the game. 6 tackles and 2 passes defended.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley Owt

Falcons Have Deja Vu of Week 2

September 27, 2020

Chicago Bears 30 at Atlanta Falcons 26

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons

The Mercedes Benz Stadium roof is open and 500 family, close friends, and staff members are in attendance. Inactives include Julio Jones, Takk McKinley, Ricardo Allen, Kendall Sheffield, Foye Oluokun, Kaleb McGary, Deadrin Senat, and on COVID protocol, AJ Terrell.

The Falcons won the toss and decided to kick off to Cordarrelle Patterson, who returned the ball to the 25 where Mitch Trubisky begins. The first play is a handoff to David Montgomery, for a gain of 6 where he is taken down by Grady Jarrett. On 2^nd and 4, Trubisky connects with Demetrius Harris for a big first down. Rookie Mykal Walker, in for AJ Terrell on the stop. First down at the 39 and another pass, to Jimmy Graham this time for 11 quick yards, pushed out of bounds by Darqueze Dennard. At midfield, Trubisky drops back, is being pressured and chased by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner as Damontae Kazee nearly makes the pick downfield. On 2^nd and 10, Trubisky hands to Tarik Cohen who spins off would be tacklers down the field for 17 yards. First and 10 from the Falcons 33, Patterson goes for no gain, stopped immediately by Keanu Neal. Second and 10, Trubisky throws to the right to Allen Robinson who slides out of bounds after a 5-yard gain. On 3^rd and 5, Trubisky tries to hit Robinson, but Dennard is on him and knocks the ball out. The 46-yard field goal is wide left and the Falcons will take over on their own 27.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offense begins at their own 36. A fake to Todd Gurley and Ryan hits Calvin Ridley with a 63-yard completion and it is first and goal at the 5. Gurley gets the next play for minimal gain. Another fake to Gurley and Hayden Hurst with the touchdown reception. Younghoe Koo misses the extra point again this week.

With 9:43 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 6/0.

From their own 25, Trubisky hands off to Montgomery who is stopped by Tyeler Davison – activated this week. On 2^nd and 5, Trubisky connects with Robinson over the top for another first down, brought down by Deion Jones and Neal. From the 37, Trubisky has time, ball is caught by Demetrius Harris and is brought down after a 5-yard gain by Jones. Across midfield, Anthony Miller zooms for another first down, finally forced out by a closing Isaiah Oliver. After a fake handoff, Robinson makes another reception in the middle of the field for another first down and 19- yard reception. Patterson is in the backfield and takes the handoff for a good gain, but the left tackle is holding and the gain is negated. First and 20 from the 40, an empty backfield, Trubisky finds Miller for 13 yards, tackled by Dennard. Patterson goes up the middle for 6 yards, stopped just short of the line by Jones and Neal. On 3^rd and short, Patterson easily pushed through the middle of the line for the first down. From the 18, Trubisky is sacked by no other that GRADY JARRETT for a 5-yard loss. Jarrett recognized the play and disrespect of being blocked by a tight end. Second and 15, a handoff to Montgomery for a short gain. Blidi Wreh-Wilson breaks up the next pass, forcing a 4^th and 9 and another field goal attempt.

With 2:47 to go in the quarter, the Falcons lead 6/3

The Falcons begin on their own 25 where Ryan drops back and fires to the 41 where Ridley is waiting on the ball. From the shotgun, Ryan finds Gurley short to the left side. On 2^nd and 8, Gurley goes up the middle for a few yards. On 3^rd and 5, Ryan throws to a crossing Russell Gage, but the ball is incomplete.

Sterling Hofrichter punts it out of bounds near the awaiting Cohen.

The Bears begin on their own 19. Trubisky drops back and airs it out, but Ted Ginn Jr. is out of bounds, with Dennard in good coverage. On 2^nd and 10, Trubisky hands off to Montgomery, Davison grabs his foot stopping any progress as the line swarms. On 3^rd and 7, Trubisky, under pressure, lobs it out of bounds past Cohen.

End of the first quarter, Falcons lead 6/3.

Brandon Powell returns the punt for a few yards and the Falcons begin on their own 36. Brian Hill goes to the left side for a yard. On 2^nd and 9, an empty backfield, Ryan finds Olamide Zaccheaus for a first down. Near midfield, Ryan connects with Gage for another first down and gain of 15 yards. From the Bears 39, Hill gets the call again and finds a 5-yard hole on the right side. On 2^nd and 5, Ryan hands off to Ridley on the end around, for a 5-yard gain and another first down. From the 27, Ryan is back, fakes, then scrambling, finds Luke Stocker for a 6-yard gain. On 2^nd and 4, Hill goes up the middle right for a yard. In the red zone, a 3^rd and 3, Ryan from the shotgun, stands in and nearing the line of scrimmage finds Gage at the 8. First and goal, a handoff to Gurley who makes it to the 3. Ryan cannot connect with a heavily covered Ridley in the end zone. With Gurley, 3 wide receivers and a single tight end in the game, Ryan is clobbered for a sack. Koo makes the 29-yard field goal.

With 8:31 to go in the half, the Falcons extend their lead 9/3.

Trubisky hands to Montgomery who is immediately met by LeRoy Reynolds, as he spins off, Dennard and others. On 2^nd and 17, Trubisky fires to Darnell Mooney, where he slides out of bounds at the 30. On 3^rd and 5, Trubisky is pressured and taken down by Jarrett for a 6 yard loss. The secondary had tight coverage allowing the 4-man front to get to Trubisky. On the punt, there is a false start, on 4^th and 16, the Bears punt from inside his 10. Powell goes a few yards on the return.

Ryan and the offense begin on their own 38. Play action, Ryan looking for Ridley, who is covered near the sideline. On 2^nd and 10, Ryan hands to Gurley who goes around the right side for 7 yards. On 3^rd and 3, Ryan is hit and the ball is loose. Khalil Mack knocks the ball out, Balil Nichols recovers and tries to advance it with center Alex Mack in coverage. Nichols laterals to Buster Skrine, who fumbles the ball out of bounds. However, all of that is negated by a penalty on Mario Edwards for roughing Ryan.

First and 10 from the Bears 40, the pass is tipped near the line and falls incomplete. On 2^nd and 10, Ryan’s bad pass is tipped and nearly intercepted right at Ridley who is double covered. The ball was too high. On 3^rd and 10, there is a flag before the ball is snapped. Mack jumped offsides and the Falcons move up 5 yards for a 3^rd and 5. Ryan hands off to Hill, who finds the crease, makes a cut, turns on the speed, and takes the ball 35 yards for the touchdown.

With 4:37 to go until the half, the Falcons extend their lead 16/3.

From their 25, the Bears allow another sack. Charles Harris gets to the scrambling Trubisky. On 2^nd and 13, Trubisky finds Robinson for an easy first down against Dennard. An inbreaking route in front of Dennard where he can’t catch up. First and 10, a pass to Cohen that is knocked out by Steven Means. On 2^nd and 10, Trubisky connects with Cohen for a first down. Then, Trubisky runs for 45 yards to the 5-yard line. There was no Falcon in sight until he closed in on the 5.

2 Minute Warning.

First and goal from the 5, Montgomery takes the handoff to the 2. Trubisky finds the wide-open Graham along the right side who steps in for the touchdown.

With 1:50 before the half the Falcons lead 16/10.

Powell takes the ball out of the endzone to just short of the 15-yard line. Ryan finds Ridley on the slant for a 5-yard gain. Ryan is nearly pulled down by his jersey and throws a quick incompletion. On 3^rd and 3 from the 19, Ryan finds Ridley for a 1-yard gain.

The punt is angled away from Cohen and the Bears will begin on their own 35. Trubisky overthrows Mooney with Oliver in good coverage. On 2^nd and 10, Trubisky rolling right dumps it off to Cohen for an 8-yard gain. On 3^rd and 2, Trubisky over throws Miller near the 10-yard line. The Bears punt the ball with under a minute to play.

The Falcons have the ball on their own 13. Gurley runs to the left side for a first down. Ryan finds Zaccheaus for another 1^st down at the 37. The Falcons use a time out. Ryan airs it out for Ridley, but was too far over his head. With 17 seconds to go in the half, 2^nd and 10, Ryan runs just past the line of scrimmage. The Falcons had a hold on the play, so with 10 seconds to go, it is 2^nd and 20 from the 28. Ryan hands to Gurley who goes for a few yards, then another flag on the play. A holding call on the defense, which is a first down with 3 seconds on the clock. The Falcons down the ball and go in at half time.

Halftime: Falcons lead 16/10

The Falcons begin the second half on their own 25. Ryan hands to Hill, who goes up the middle for 6 yards. Hill gets the ball again on the left side for 2 yards. On 3^rd and 2, Ryan throws to Powell behind the line, but Ryan was under great distress. There was a flag on the play for roughing the passer, which provides 15 yards and a first down. From the 50, Ryan drops back and tries to throw to Gurley on the left side, but is nearly picked. On 2^nd down, Ryan hands to Gurley who finds a big hole up the middle and gets to the 35-yard line. On play action, Ryan throws 24 yards to Ridley at the 10-yard line. A first down hand off to Gurley who finds the end zone, rather easily. He makes a cut at the line, Keith Smith makes the block on the edge, and Gurley is in.

With 12:34 to go in the 3^rd, the Falcons extend their lead 23/10.

The Bears begin on their own 38 after a huge kickoff return, that was finally stopped by Hofrichter’s ankle grab. Robinson makes the first catch for a 5-yard gain. Robinson is stopped by Means in the back field immediately after the handoff, but he escapes, back to the line where the rest of the defense is waiting. On 3^rd and 8, Wreh-Wilson makes the PICK. The Defense was lined up at man to man, then went to zone on the snap. Trubisky was leading Graham when Wreh-Wilson stepped in, grabbed the ball, and returned it to the 19.

Gurley gains one yard. On 2^nd and 9, Ryan fakes to Gurley and fires out of the corner of the end zone over Ridley who is well covered. On 3^rd and 9, Ryan goes to the same corner but overthrows Powell. Koo makes the 36-yard field goal.

With 9:58 to go in the 3^rd, the Falcons extend their lead 26/10.

The Bears catch the ball with one foot in and one foot out, so they start at the 40. Nick Foles comes in at quarterback. He hands to Robinson for a 4-yard gain. Foles finds Graham over the middle for a first down on the Falcons’ 45. Foles goes far right, then looks far left to Cohen near the sideline, but the ball goes incomplete. On 2^nd and 10, Foles dumps off to Cohen who gains 20 yards, tripped up by Oliver. From the 25, a handoff to Cohen, who makes a cut for 4 yards. On 2^nd and 6, Foles hands to Montgomery who is immediately stopped by Tuioti-Mariner. On 3^rd and 6, Foles has a 3 receiver set and he goes long for Robinson in the end zone, but Dennard rolls up with the ball. After extensive review, the Falcons are awarded the ball.

The Falcons start their next drive on their own 20. Ryan fakes the handoff then hits Zaccheaus across the middle for a 13-yard gain. First and 10, a dump off to Hill on the right side gains 25 yards. Across midfield, Ryan fakes the handoff again and hits Keith Smith for a 3-yard gain. Hill goes for another 2 yards. From the 40, Ryan drops back and finds Hill for the first down, but Hill drops the ball as he runs. The ball just went through his hands.

After the punt, the Bears begin on their 9. Foles hands off to Montgomery, one-yard loss. After the fake, Montgomery makes the reception, at the line of scrimmage, where Oliver immediately meets him and knocks him out of bounds. John Cominisky gets in on the sack game and zooms through the line to lay out Foles. On 4^th and 8, the Bears punt.

The Falcons begin on their own 48. Ryan hands off to Gurley for a 4-yard gain. Across midfield, Gurley takes the ball again for another 2 yards. On 3^rd and 3, another handoff to Gurley from the shotgun, Gurley goes for 16 yards on the outside.

At the end of the 3^rd quarter, the Falcons still lead 26/10.

Gurley gains 3 yards as the 4^th quarter begins. Ryan, from the shotgun, has his pass batted down at the line as he reaches over Mack. On 3^rd and 7, the play is called dead before the snap. The Falcons sideline has called a timeout. Back to 3^rd and 7 and Ryan is sacked at the 30. It is 4^th and 11. Koo’s 48-yard field goal is wide left.

Foles and the Bears take over on their own 38 and have a failed pass attempt. On 2^nd down, Foles finds Robinson who is taken out of bounds by Reynolds, but is called for handling the helmet. First down on the Falcons 40. Foles finds Mooney for a 7-yard gain. On the 2^nd down, Reynolds tackles the receiver, knocking the ball out for another incompletion. On 3^rd and 3, Foles finds Mooney near the goal line, as he comes down Dennard knocks the ball out. After an extremely late call, the Offense had an illegal shift and provided another third down opportunity. On 3^rd and 8, Foles rolls out and finds Graham at the 16. Walker knocks the ball out, but it is recovered by the offense. Oliver nearly had the INT, literally went through his hands. First and goal from the 9, Foles fires through the end of the end zone under great pressure. Jarett comes out of the game gimping and Kazee is down in the end zone with an untied shoe. On 2^nd and goal, Foles flips it out to Cohen where he is met by Neal. On 3^rd and goal from the 17, Foles fires one to Graham in the end zone, but Oliver gets a finger on the ball, enough to knock if off trajectory for Graham. On 4^th and goal from the 17, Foles finds an open Miller in the end zone. He ran the same route as Graham, but different coverage and was able to haul in the ball. The catch was reviewed and determined an incompletion.

With 10:45 to go in the game, the Falcons begin at their 17. Hill runs for 4 yards, then a single yard gain. On 3^rd and 5, Ryan overthrows Zaccheaus at the 45. On 4^th and 5, the Falcons are forced to punt.

Cohen makes the catch, with a flag on the play, and hops off the field with help from staff. The flag was picked up as the defender was pushed into Cohen.

Foles continues to fling the ball, but Dennard on the receivers is not working, pinning receivers to the sidelines for incompletions. A quick pass to Robinson gains 4 yards. On 3^rd and 6, Foles tries to go over Oliver for #12, but the ball is knocked out. Another 4^th down, Foles finds a wide open Ginn for 29 yards. Dennard and Jalen Hawkins were in zone coverage. From the Atlanta 29, Foles throws short for Javon Wims who cannot come back for the ball. Montgomery gains the first down with the Falcons blitzing off the edge, so the back side was open for Montgomery’s run up the middle. After an incompletion, rookie Jaylinn Hawkins is called for leading with the head – as the receiver was falling down and gives the Bears a first and goal at the 9. Foles hits Montgomery who shakes off several tackles and goes to the 3. On 2^nd and goal, Graham in motion, Foles throws to far to the left of Graham. On 3^rd and goal, Foles finds Graham, who turns away from Dennard to make the reception. The Bears have their 2-point conversion attempt intercepted by Walker.

With 6:20 on the clock, the Falcons lead 26/16.

Powell takes the ball up to the 15. Ryan hands to Gurley who gains 2 along the right side. On 2^nd and 8, Ryan drops back and airs it out to midfield for Ridley, but the ball is short. Third and 8, Ryan steps up and tries to dump it off to Hurst, but the ball is incomplete. The Falcons are called for an illegal shift, the penalty is declined and it’s a fourth down punt.

The Bears have a first down on their own 45. The snap count gets Means to jump. It’s a first and 5 at the 50. Foles hands the ball to Montgomery for an easy first down. On 1^st and 10, Foles hits Graham for a 4-yard gain. Foles drops back, finds Robinson who escapes an Oliver tackle for a touchdown.

With 4:21 remaining in the game, the Falcons lead is only 26/23.

From the 25, Ryan drops back and under pressure, throws short to Hill over the middle. On 2^nd and 10, Ryan’s pass sails off the tips of Ito Smith’s finger tips to out of bounds. False start by Ridley, now on 3^rd and 15, Ryan, under great pressure, throws way down field over Zaccheaus.

The Bears take the punt to the 35, but due to a late hit by Keith Smith, the Bears get the balled moved up 15 yards. On first and 10 from the Falcons 44, the Bears hit Robinson for a 6-yard gain. Montgomery shoves through the line for another first down. Foles has time at the line, but throws out of the end zone over Montgomery. On 2^nd and 10 from the 30, Foles finds Harris for a short gain near the sideline. Dennard is hurt on the play.

After the 2-minute warning, on 3^rd and 8, Foles finds Miller in the end zone.

With 1:53 to go in the game, the Bears lead 30/26. Note, there is a missed field goal and extra point earlier in the game for the Falcons.

Ryan finds Powell who gains the first down at midfield. Ryan hits Zaccheaus for a 6-yard gain. The next pass intended for Ridley in triple coverage is intercepted by Tashaun Gipson.

Montgomery goes for a first down rushing along the right side. Kazee is hobbling across the field. Despite the Falcons taking timeouts, the Bears kneel and run out the clock.

Players that left and did not return, but no updates, Russell Gage, Grady Jarrett, Damontae Kazee.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

Strong Start Ends in Falcons Defeat

Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys

September 20, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons won the toss and decided to receive and take the ball first. After the touchback, the Falcons start on their own 25. On first down, Todd Gurley goes wide right for a 3-yard pick up. On 2^nd and 7, the give goes to Gurley again, up the middle for an additional 4 yards. Third and 3, under a four-man rush, Matt Ryan finds Russell Gage who cannot hold on to the ball which falls incomplete. Sterling Hofrichter has a good high punt to the Dallas 22, where a fair catch is called.

Tony Pollard takes the first Dallas handoff, quickly stopped by Takk McKinley. Pollard runs along the left side and suddenly the ball is out and Foye Oluokun is running with the ball. Unfortunately, Pollard was ruled down at the time and Dallas retained possession. It is 3^rd and 4 from the 29, Dak Prescott is hit as he throws, by Deion Jones, and the ball is high in the air where the receiver knocks it down to avoid an interception.

Brandon Powell fair catches the ball at the Falcons’ 26. Gurley takes the ball to the left for 5 yards. On 2^nd and 5, after the fake handoff, Ryan goes long to Hayden Hurst, who, under pressure with a high ball cannot haul it in. On 3^rddown, a pass intended for Gage, the ball is nearly intercepted, but the defender can’t bring it in.

Ezekiel Elliott gets the ball for the first time on the day for a 3-yard gain, stopped by Jones. Prescott airs it on to a receiver, tightly covered by Darqueze Denard. McKinley was draping Prescott as he threw, with the blitz quickly getting to Prescott from the right side. Jones tackles Prescott as Dante Fowler knocks the ball out and John Cominksy recovers the ball.

The offense comes out to the Dallas 22. Matt Gono is on the field with 5 other offensive linemen. Ryan drops back, still under pressure and hits Calvin Ridley on the corner and hits the end zone marker with the ball, as he falls out of bounds. Ridley started inside, did his patented stop and change direction and headed to the outside, while Ryan is holding the ball forever and making the perfect pass.

With 10:58 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 7/0.

Dallas brings the ball out of the end zone where they are quickly met by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and begin this drive on their own 13. A quick pass to the tight end goes for a first down along the left side, Dalton Schultz is shoved out by Keanu Neal. At the 18, Elliott gets the ball, stutter steps for a few yards, where he is hit for a fumble. Oluokun gets the ball out. The call is Falcons ball, but the Dallas offense remains on the field. The referees apparently pointed the wrong way. On the next play, McKinley is called for roughing the passer and moves the Cowboys into Falcons territory. Elliott with the next run, AGAIN Oluokun knocks it out and Grady Jarrett snatches the ball and advances it a few yards. THIS is a fumble recovered by the Falcons.

From their own 48, another hand off to Gurley for a 3-yard gain. Ryan is under center, fakes to Gurley, back to the nearside, Hurst hauls in the 2-yard reception. On 3^rd and 5, Ryan, from the shotgun, runs up and sees the first down marker. Behind the Gurley block, Ryan makes the first down. Next, Ryan rolls out to the right and finds a wide-open Hurst for a 42-yard touchdown.

With 7:37 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons are up 14/0.

The Cowboys have a penalty on the kickoff and will begin on their own 13. A four-man rush and a Prescott quick pass to Schultz, who is stopped by Oluokun. On 1^st and 10, a handoff way in the backfield to Elliott, Jarrett is immediately in the backfield for the tackle, with McKinley inches away to assist. Prescott from the gun, good protection with a rushing defense and he finds CeeDee Lamb to gain some yards back. On 3rd and 3, showing blitz, but then pull back and with a 4-man rush, the Falcons get to Prescott who cannot get the pass off and is incomplete. A fake punt is tried, but the punter cannot get the ball to the sliding receiver and the Falcons take over on the Dallas 29.

Brian Hill is in the game at running back, and gets the call for a single yard gain on the left side. On 2^nd and 9, Ryan drops back and goes deep for Ridley, who is covered perfectly by the defender who knocks the ball out. On 3^rd and 9, Ryan dumps it over the middle to Hill, who is swarmed and stopped after minimal gain. On 4^th and 6, Younghoe Koo kicks the 46-yard field goal.

With 4:30 left in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 17/0.

Dallas comes out of the end zone again, this time, LeRoy Reynolds stops the returner at the 17. Olamide Zaccheaus had a penalty moving them out to the 32. Schultz catches the ball, makes a move and Oluokun makes the tackle and punches the ball out. Deadrin Senat fights the pile for the ball and comes up with the recovery.

Zaccheaus blocks the right-side giving Hill enough room for a first down. Another Hill run up the middle for 3 yards. On 2^nd and 7, Ryan drops back and looking for Julio Jones, but chooses Hurst with a low uncatchable ball. From the 26, Ryan in the shotgun, throws near the end zone for Jones, but the ball is over his head. A Pass Interference call is finally made and the Falcons get the first down on the 14. Gurley goes up the middle for no gain as Kaleb McGary has to be helped off the field. And does not return to the game.

Gono is in for McGary on the 2^nd and 9. Gurley goes up the middle for another yard. On 3^rd and 8 from the Dallas 12, Ryan sees the pocket collapsing and runs for a few yards. Koo makes a 26-yard field goal.

With a minute still remaining in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 20/0.

Finally, the Cowboys let the ball go out of the end zone on the kickoff and will start on the 25. Prescott, from the shotgun, finds Amari Cooper on the right side for a first down. Elliott finds some room and rushes up to the 44-yard line. The flag is for holding on Jarrett and moves the ball 5 more yards. Elliott gest another good cutback and finds a hole to move up 5 yards. On 2^nd and 5, Prescott finds Lamb for another first down as the quarter comes to a close. Rookie Mykal Walker in coverage.

End of Q1 – 20/0 Falcons.

Lamb gets another speeding first down. From the Falcons 26, Elliott runs down to the 15 for another first down. Rookie AJ Terrell immediately tackles Elliott when he receives the pass behind the line. On 2^nd and 13, Elliot finds Blake Bell over the middle for 10 yards, where he is stopped by Denard. On 3^rd and 3, Elliott gets the handoff and another first down. Tripped up by Tuioti-Mariner and Allen. Allen is walked off the field with an elbow injury, he does not return to the game.

First and goal from the 2, Prescott hands to Elliott who is stopped at the line by Tyler Davison and Jarrett. On the next play, Elliott makes it into the endzone, plowing over Damontee Kazee, who went too low on the attempted stop.

With 12:09 left in the half, the Falcons lead 20/7.

From the 25, Ryan fakes to Gurley and finds Ridley for a 26-yard reception at midfield. Ryan has to settle for a short pass to Keith Smith for no gain. On 2^nd and 10, Ryan hands to Gurley for 8 yards up the middle. Gage is in at quarterback for the wild cat, he hands it off to Gurley for no gain. Now on 4^th and 1 at the 41, Smith easily gets the first down. Under pressure and scrambling, Ryan finds Jones at the 35. Jalen Smith with a hit to the head of Jones garners a flag for personal foul and an extra 15 yards and first down. From the Dallas 19, Ryan hands to Gurley who gains 3 yards up the middle. Ito Smith is in at running back, Ryan decides to run up the middle himself. On 3^rd and 2, Hill at running back, Ryan under center and throws to Gage just past the first down marker.

It is first and goal at the 7. Ryan pitches back to Ito Smith who zooms behind a good Jake Matthews block on the left side and makes it to the 1. Smith gets the ball behind the line and Jalen Smith stops him behind the line. Lining up, Dallas calls a time out – clearly in mass confusion. Gurley is back in for 3^rd and goal, Ryan passes to wide open Ridley in the end zone. Ridley spun and lost his defender at the 2^nd O and caught the ball near the helmet of the end zone. After missing the 2-point conversion, to a heavily covered Ridley in the middle of the end zone, the Falcons still lead 26-7.

With almost 6 minutes until halftime, Falcons lead 26/7.

On first and 10, Elliott breaks a tackle to get back to the line of scrimmage, but the leg grab by Jarrett slowed him enough to not make it past the line of scrimmage. On the next play, Elliot makes a first down up the middle. Again, Elliott up the middle, but carrying Senat, so was stopped for only a 4-yard gain. With a 4-man rush, Pollard gets the short pass on the right for a few yards, forcing a 3^rd and 3. Prescott from the shotgun, under pressure finds Schultz again, who is stopped by Walker as Prescott was being pressured, then hit by Jarrett.

After a fake handoff, Prescott finds Cooper who forces a missed tackle by Denard. Terrell brings him down. Michael Gallup has his first catch of the day after getting way away from Isaiah Oliver, but Kazee makes the stop. After a holding call on an offensive lineman with his hand on Jarrett’s facemask and jersey, Dallas has a 1st and 20 from the 27. The pass is incomplete, Oliver knocking it out. On 2^nd and 20, there is a false start moving the offense back to a 2^nd and 25. Prescott finds Elliott for a 6-yard reception.

After the 2-minute warning, on 3^rd and 19, from the shotgun, Prescott takes the ball himself and is met by Jarrett down the field forcing a 4^th down and field goal.

With 1:41 until half, it is Atlanta 26/Dallas 10

Powell brings the short kick out to the 21. Gurley finds 7 yards up the middle. A false start by Matthews pushes the Falcons back to a 2^nd and 8, but Ryan finds Gage for a big reception to the 38. Ryan flings another first down pass up to Ridley near midfield. A false start moves the ball up 5 yards. Ryan finds an open Ridley again for 24 yards with Jones, the best distracter, on the other side of the field. Next, Ryan sees Jones in the end zone, but throws too high out of the corner of the end zone, where Jones is double covered. On 2^nd and 10, Ryan throws out of bounds over Gage. Koo has a successful 41-yard field goal.

At the half, the Falcons lead the Cowboys 29/10.

Dallas begins on their own 24. Elliott finds a seam for 11 yards and is stopped by Neal and Oliver. On 1^st down, Prescott drops back, under pressure, cannot connect with Cooper, as Oliver is covering well, with his hand knocking the ball out. Cooper makes the next reception, but Terrell is on top of him immediately. ON 3^rd and 6, Atlanta was moving, Prescott takes advantage and finds Lamb 37 yards down the field. Suddenly the defense is not playing man to man. On the Falcons’ 23, play fake Prescott find Schultz again for another first down. WIDE OPEN. On the 5, Elliott goes to the one. Second and goal, Prescott fakes to Elliott and walks in on the left side for the touchdown.

With 12:23 to go in the 3^rd quarter, the Falcons still lead 29/17.

After the kickoff and return, the Falcons start at their own 26. Ryan fakes to Gurley, then throws to Keith Smith at the line of scrimmage. On 2^nd and 9, Ryan pitches to Gurley who finds a few yards on the left side. Ryan finds Ridley along the sideline for another 10 yards. Another fake to Gurley, another pass to the line of scrimmage, this time to Hurst. On 2^nd and 8, Ryan hands to Gurley who gains a couple of yards up the middle. 3^rd and 6, Ryan in the shotgun, blitz is coming and still gets the ball out to Gage, just short of the first down marker, who then rolls for a first down.

Gurley gains a yard to cross midfield. Blitz coming, Ryan hits Hill on the right side, who gains 7 yards. On 3^rd and 2, Ryan is to the right, a direct snap to Gage, who lobs a 40+ yarder to Jones, but Jones, at the end zone, cannot make the cath. The Falcons plan to go for it on 4^th and 2 until the flag for too many people in the huddle and suddenly an almost touchdown is a punt from midfield.

Dallas takes over at their 17. Prescott hits Elliott on the right side for 8 yards. Prescott goes deep to Cooper who had escaped Neal for a 58-yard gain. Elliott forces his way for 8 yards. A 2^nd and 2 on the Falcons 8, Elliott pushes for the first down. First and goal from the 7, Prescott fakes to Elliott, makes the pass to Schultz who is nailed by Kazee at the 1. A penalty flag for roughing the passer on Jones, moves the ball to the half yard, but knocked Prescott out for the play. Andy Dalton comes out at quarterback and fakes to Elliott. Dante Fowler is not fooled and stays with Dalton who has to throw out of the end zone. Elliott shoves up the middle of the line and is short, then Prescott returns and gets the rushing touchdown.

With 4:14 to go in the 3^rd, the Falcons lead dwindles to 29/24.

Powell takes the kickoff out to the 26, where Ryan runs on first down for 4 yards. Ito Smith gains no yards on the next rush. Ryan finds Hurst for a few yards, which Hurst turns into a 22-yard gain. Across midfield, Ryan hands to Ito Smith for 6 yards. The next play, Ryan airs it out to Ridley in the end zone, but he is perfectly covered by Trevon Diggs who almost intercepts the ball, but Ridley knocks it out. The Falcons take a time out.

Ryan finds Gage who is immediately stopped forcing a fourth down. At the 40, 4^th and 2, Jones makes the reception on the ground, rolls back up for several more yards, for a 19-yard gain. Ito Smith rushes for 9 yards before the end of the quarter.

With Julio Jones’ last reception – 808 – ties Roddy White for all time Atlanta receptions.

Gurley rushes for 4 yards. Ryan throws on the run towards Ridley, but intentionally short. On 2^nd and goal, Ryan finds a double covered Gage in the end zone for the touchdown.

With only seconds gone in the 4^th, the Falcons extend their lead, Atlanta 36/Dallas 24.

Neal stops Pollard on the 24. Prescott hands to Elliott who somehow pushes the entire line up the middle for a first down. At the 35, Prescott drops back and hits Cooper, but he cannot hang onto the ball as he sees Denard closing. Elliott pushes up for 5 yards. On 3^rd and 5, Prescott changes the play at the line, then steps up as he is being pressured around the right side by Fowler, Terrell is blitzing and hits Prescott in the middle forcing an errant pass and a fourth down. Another fake punt, this time up the middle, but Cominsky makes the stop as the rest of the defense converges.

The Falcons take over at the Dallas 43 where Gurley gets the call and loses 2 yards. On 2^nd and 12, Ryan from the shotgun sees the blitz coming and hits Hurst for a short gain. On 3^rd and 8, Ryan dumps it to a wide-open Gage, for a 12-yard first down. From the 29, Ryan hands to Gurley who goes to the right side for 5 yards. Gurley is caught behind the line for a loss. On 3^rd and 7, he stands in tight coverage and hits Ridley for another 12-yard gain. From the 14-yard line, Gurley gains 4 yards. On 2^nd and 6, Ryan throws it out of the end zone over a covered Jones. Third down is an incomplete pass toward Hurst. Koo has a successful 32-yard field goal.

With 8 minutes to go in the game, the Falcons extend their lead to 39/24 over the Cowboys.

Prescott finds Schultz again for 6 yards. From the shotgun, Prescott tries to get the ball to Lamb, but Denard nearly picks it off, both had hands on the ball. On 3^rd and 4, Prescott tries to pull the Falcons offsides, then in trouble, steps up and gets the ball to Bell for a 24-yard gain. Across midfield, Prescott runs, but Steven Means pulls him down from behind. Gallup cannot haul the next pass in, close to the sideline, tightly covered by Oliver. On 3^rd and 7, Prescott finds Lamb for a first down, covered by Oliver, but not in man to man. Oliver gets the stop, but had no play on the ball. Cooper is tackled immediately by Denard after the next reception. Schultz gets the first down, but is dropped at the marker. From the Falcons 18, Prescott finds Noah Brown who is rocked by Neal. Next play, Schultz catches a touchdown pass over Walker, who had decent coverage. The two-point conversion goes wide to Elliott, but slowed by Kazee and stopped by Davison.

With just under 5 to play, Falcons 39/Cowboys 30.

Starting at the 25 again, Ryan hands to Gurley who goes to the right for 6 yards and stays in bounds. Dallas takes their first time out. Another Gurley run for a first down. Dallas challenges the spot of the ball. The loose the challenge and a time out. First and 10 from the 35, Ryan hands to Gurley who is stopped behind the line for a 3-yard loss. On the 2^nd down, the first sack of the game comes by Everson Griffen, forcing a 3^rd and 18. Zaccheaus makes the catch, but only 10 yards, so a punt is forced.

Hofrichter punts 42 yards, Lamb brings it up for 3 hard yards. Cooper gets a first down catch along the sideline. Prescott dumps it off to Elliott who is held in bounds by Terrell. Prescott throws toward Cooper and Denard nearly gets the interception. On 3^rd and 7, Prescott is in the shotgun and over the middle finds Brown for a huge gain, but a blindside block on Neal moves them back 15 yards. Prescott passes to Lamb at the 5-yard line for a 35-yard gain. First and goal at the 5, Dan Quinn throws the challenge flag for the completed catch. Lamb caught the ball as he was falling near the sideline. The call stands and Elliott takes the next handoff for 4 yards to the 1.

After the 2-minute warning, Prescott goes to Gallup in the corner of the end zone, where Oliver is called for PI. The ball is at the one-yard line and a first down. Prescott throws too low for the sliding Lamb in the end zone. Second down, up the middle for Prescott for the touchdown.

With 1:49 to go in the game, this is now a 2-point game. Falcons 39/Cowboys 37.

Everyone lines up for the onsides kick, when the Falcons call their final timeout. Dallas has already used all of theirs. The Cowboys recover the onsides kick. The Falcons didn’t move toward the ball, apparently confused on the rules when coming to you vs. from you.

The first pass toward Gallup is out of bounds. Denard falls down and Lamb is wide open to catch the ball and is already in field goal range. They hand off to Elliott for 2 yards, then no yards. On 3^rd down, Prescott downs the ball to stop the clock.

With 32 seconds left, the field goal team comes on the field for a 46-yard field goal to win the game.

Atlanta Falcons lose to the Dallas Cowboys 39 to 40.

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