Tag: Calvin Ridley

Falcons Take Defending SuperBowl Champions to the End

Atlanta Falcons 14 at Kansas City Chiefs 17

December 27, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Key inactives on offense are Julio Jones and Alex Mack.  Rookie Matt Hennessey will get his first start today.  Darqueze Dennard, Marlon Davidson, and Deadrin Senat are key defenders out.

Starting at the 25, Matt Ryan is under pressure and finally finds Todd Gurley for a 25-yard reception along the sideline.  The second play is a hand off for 2 yards.  Ryan drops back and hits Russell Gage behind the line of scrimmage.  On 3rd and 10, under pressure, Ryan’s throw is tipped and falls incomplete.  Sterling Hofrichter punts to the 13.

From their own 13, Le’Veon Bell goes along the left side for a first down.  Patrick Mahomes pitches up to Tyreek Hill who taken out by Isaiah Oliver who crossed the field to knock him out.  Bell gets the next call, Grady Jarrett makes the stop for a 3-yard loss.  A flag on the next play, Jarrett jumps and pops Mahomes, giving the Chiefs 5 yards.  On 2nd and 8, Hill makes a short reception for a 6-yard gain.  On 3rd down, Travis Kelce makes the reception and behind a Sammy Watkins’ block moves up for the first down, taking Kendall Sheffield and Keanu Neal with them. Mahomes throws incomplete into the end zone, Hill was still at the 10.  Blitz is coming, Mahomes throws incomplete over the hands of his receiver with Foye Oluokun in tight coverage.  Still at midfield, the blitz coming again, Mahomes steps up and is tripped up by Deion Jones while releasing the ball, Sheffield knocks the ball down before it can reach Kelce. 

Ito Smith Finding Holes and Yards Today-Photo Courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons

From the 13, Ito Smith gets the pitch for an 8-yard run.  Smith gets another 13 yards on a run by finding a huge hole created by Luke Stocker and makes a defender miss. Smith goes up the middle for another 4 yards.  Smith comes out and Gurley returns.  Gage in motion and makes the reception at the first down marker.  Ryan finds Hayden Hurst for another first down along the sideline.  There is a flag on Calvin Ridley for an illegal shift.  First and 15 from the 40, Ryan finds Hurst over the middle, taking a big hit, right at the first down marker.  From the Chiefs’ 45, Ryan hands to Smith who pauses a second, then goes for 4 yards.  Ridley gets the ball around the left side and loses yards, now a 3rd and 13.  Then Kaleb McGary has a false start and backs them up even more.  On 3rd and 18, under a 4-man rush, Ryan scrambles, then is sacked.  He lost the ball, but got it back.

After the punt, Tyler Hall immediately hits the punt returner and KC will begin on their own 10.  Hill makes the reception, then goes for 31 yards, causing AJ Terrell and Oluokun to miss, finally stopped at the 41 by Ricardo Allen.  Hill gets the ball again for no gain.  Bell gains 3 yards up the middle.  Mahomes drops back, misses Kelce and Sheffield almost comes up with the interception.  After a punt, the Falcons will begin on their own 4.

With the jumbo formation, Gurley gets the call up the middle for a gain of 6 yards to the 10. 

End of Q1 – No score.

From their own 9, it’s 2nd and 5, Ryan finds Keith Smith for a first down along the sideline.  A fresh set of downs at the 16, Hill in at tailback, get the ball back to the line of scrimmage.  On 2nd down, Ryan throws too long and out of bounds over Ridley.  Hill had a great block to give Ryan the time to get the throw away.  On 3rd and 10, Ryan is sacked by an unblocked defender.  Hofrichter kicks from his end zone.  Hill hits the punt returner immediately and the Chiefs begin at the 45. 

Mahomes fakes then throws to Darryl Williams for a 5-yard gain.  On 2nd down, Mahomes fakes to Williams then throws incomplete to Mecole Hardman, covered by Terrell.  On 3rd and 5 at the 50, Mahomes completes to Harman who is rolled up by Jarrett crossing the field and stops the Chiefs 1 yard short.  Williams gets the call on the 4th and 1 and goes up the middle for 11 yards, dragging Jones part of the way.  Kelce has a false start and is 1st and 15 from the Falcons’ 40, Oluokun chasing Mahomes into an errant throw.  On 2nd down, a short pass to Williams goes for 13 yards, stopped by Jones and Sheffield.  3rd and 2, Williams goes up the middle for a yard, Jarrett on the stop to force the 4th down.  Mahomes passes back to Watkins, Watkins tries to throw to Mahomes and Neal gets the interception.  Neal stayed with Mahomes as soon as he left the line of scrimmage.

From their own 2, Gurley gets the ball and provides some breathing space for the Falcons, out to the 8.  Ryan finds Keith Smith at the first down marker, then Smith goes for several more yards out to the 15.  On first down, Ryan finds Ito Smith for a 5-yard gain.  On 2nd down, Hill gets the call for 3 yards.  on 3rd and 2 at the 23, Ran fakes to Gurley, as he is being tackled, Ryan throws the ball up and Gurley catches it and gets the first down.  At the 31, Hill goes for 4 yards up the middle. 

Calvin Ridley Goes for 54 Yards – Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

In the shotgun, Ryan fakes to Hill, then finds Ridley who goes 54 yards down to the 11.  Ridley was cutting and speeding up trying to get into the end zone.  A first down at the 11, Ryan gives to Hill for a few yards.  Ryan hits Hurst with a shovel pass and he shoves his way through the line for a touchdown. 

With 3:55 to go in the half, the Falcons lead 7/0.

Mahomes begins at the 22 with a pass to Bell who gains 8 yards.  Watkins makes the first down reception.  From the 40, Mahomes finds Watkins who is immediately stopped by Oliver at the 44.  Kelce makes the reception for another first down.  Under a 4-man rush, Mahomes escapes John Cominsky around the sideline and gains 14 yards and a first down.  From the Falcons’ 31, Mahomes throws behind Hardman.  Mahomes has to scramble again, up the middle for a 9-yard gain.  The coverage downfield was tight and a 3-man rush flushed Mahomes out of the pocket for his run.  Jones was able to finally bring him down.  On 3rd and 1, Mahomes finds Kelce right at the first down line and his dropped by Jones and Neal.  Jarrett nearly tipped the pass at the line.  The Chiefs take a time out.  Mahomes under pressure by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner throws the ball away.  Mahomes then finds Williams for a 9-yard gain, shoved out short of the first down by Neal.  Williams easily gets the first down up the middle, but the entire Falcons’ defense converges to stop the touchdown at the 4.  Oluokun was the first man in to slow Williams up.  Mahomes pass to Kelce is just inside the endzone for a touchdown. 

With 30 seconds remaining in the half, the game is tied at 7. 

The Chiefs begin the second half at their own 25.  Bell gains 3 yards up the middle.  A penalty on Oluokun for a neutral zone infraction gives the Chiefs a 2nd and 2.  From the 33, Mahomes hands to Bell again for a first down.  From the 39, Mahomes scrambles, no one open, pressure coming and Mahomes throws out of bounds.  Terrell, Oliver, and Jones had tight coverage on the receivers and tight end.  On 2nd down, Mahomes finds Hardman for a first down, shoved out by Sheffield, a quick timing route with lose coverage.  Deion Yelder makes the reception for another first down.  From the Falcons 38, Mahomes to Hardman on the jet sweep for a 20-yard gain.  Bell takes the offense and defense up the middle for 10 yards.  Bell literally refused to go down, kept his legs moving and spinning with almost 20 people in a moving pile.  Mahomes throws out of bounds over Kelce.  On 2nd down from the 7, Mahomes is pressured back 10 yards, has to throw across the field toward Bell, but the ball falls incomplete.  On 3rd and goal, Mahomes throws directly to Oluokun at the goal line.  Oluokun returns the ball 52 yards, finally having the ball knocked out by Hill, but goes out of bounds. 

Foye Oluokun Returning his Interception – Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons begin on the 45, Ryan is sacked on first down.  On 2nd and 19, under pressure, Ryan is sacked again.  On 3rd and 22, Ryan gets to Hurst for a short gain and punt.

Mahomes finds Hill for a quick first down.  From the 34, 4-man rush, Mahomes out of the pocket and throws an incompletion.  On 2nd down, blitz coming, Mahomes trying to escape Jarrett, throws the ball incomplete.  Downfield coverage is tight again, Mahomes is flushed deep in the pocked with Tuoiti-Mariner and Jarrett coming again, forcing another incompletion and punt.

The Falcons begin on their own 8 with an Ito Smith run of 5 yards.  A 4-yard pass to Smith.  On 3rd and 1, Gurley gets the call and the first down and a couple more, behind the lead block of Keith Smith.  Ito Smith is back in for a short gain.  After a snap infraction by the center, the Falcons have a 2nd and 12 at the 17, Smith gains no yards.  Now, a 3rd and 11, Ryan drops back and throws toward Hurst who is already tackled and on the ground.  A first down fake, then successful pass to Hurst for 3 yards.  Smith up the left side for 3 yards, with another flag on Hennessy for holding.  On 2nd and 17 from the 22, Ryan is pressured and throws the ball into the ground.  Chris Lindstrom gives up the near sack. On 3rd and 17, under pressure, Ryan throws another short errant pass that Gurley hauls in for a loss and another forced punt.

From their own 37, Williams goes for 4 yards.  On 2nd down, Mahomes is under pressure from Cominsky and throws incomplete.  Before the snap of the ball on 3rd down, false start on the offense and it is 3rd and 6.  A 3-man rush, flag on the play, Mahomes cannot find anyone open, goes toward the sideline, then finds Kelce coming back for a big first down to the Falcons’ 38, 25-yard reception.  Williams goes up the middle for 3 yards.

End of Q3, tied at 7.

From the 35, Mahomes drops back and is nearly intercepted by Tuoiti-Mariner in front of Watkins.  On 3rd and 7, Mahomes drops back, up to Williams who is stopped behind the line of scrimmage.  The Chiefs kick a 53-yard field goal and take the lead.

14:08 to go in the game, Chiefs 10/Falcons 7.

From their own 25, the Falcons begin with a pass to Ridley for 15 yards.  Hurst is open in the middle of the field for a 17-yard gain.  Hill goes up the middle for 2 yards.  From the Chiefs’ 41, Ryan throws to Laquon Treadwell for 6 yards.  Gurley is on the field, Ryan rolls out, finds an open Stocker for 9 yards and the first down.  Stocker escaped coverage and came back to Ryan.  Ryan throws to Hill for 6 yards.  Ryan finds Powell near the first down marker, but the ball is knocked out and called a fumble, Kansas City recovered. 

Williams goes 11 yards for a first down.  Oluokun is injured on the play, Mykal Walker comes in to replace him.  Williams with another short run as Kelce limps off the field.  Another quick pass for a 4-yard gain, stopped by Sheffield.  Kelce returns to the field.  On 3rd and 4, Mahomes pitches to Williams and Neal – from the middle of the field, comes to the sideline to ensure Williams does not gain the first down.  A punt to the 25.

Ito Smith reverses course and gains 9 yards, but is negated by the third penalty on Hennessy.  1st and 20, Ryan fakes to Smith and finds a wide-open Ridley for 31 yards.  Hill goes up the right side behind Matt Gono for 17 yards, then 4 yards and 2 yards.  From the Chiefs’ 31 on a 3rd and 4, Ryan finds Gage for another first down.  From the 22, Ryan sees Hill wide open, he gains the first down and is shoved out of bounds at the 5. First and goal, throws out of bounds over Ridley in the end zone.  On 2nd and goal, Ryan changes the play at the line and finds Treadwell in the front of the endzone for a touchdown. 

With 4:33 to go in the game, the Falcons lead 14/10.

Mahomes rolls out and throws the ball out of bounds.  On 2nd down, Mahomes rolls out under pressure again, Hardman cannot hold onto the ball.  On 3rd down, Mahomes finds Kelce wide open in the middle of the field who goes for a 36-yard gain, but is backed up by a Hill block in the back on Oliver.  A 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul, giving Kelce extra yards.  Steven Means nearly blocked the pass at the line.  From the 45, Williams goes for 3 yards.  On 2nd down, Mahomes finds Kelce again for a 16-yard gain with Sheffield in coverage.  Mahomes quick to Hardman, a yard short of the marker.  On 2nd and 1, Mahomes hands to Williams who easily gets the first down.  With 2:40 to pay, from the Falcons’ 25, Mahomes flings the ball into the end zone….to AJ Terrell, but he loses the ball as he hits the ground.  The Falcons challenge the call that he dropped the ball.  The ruling stands, incomplete pass and Falcons lose a time out.  Mahomes throws a touchdown to Demarcus Robinson over Sheffield. 

2 minute warning.  Chiefs 17/Falcons 14

Ryan rolls away from pressure, finds Hurst, but ruled incomplete and a penalty in the secondary.  Prior to the pass, holding on the defense, 5 yards and a first down. From the 30, 1st and 10 with 1:49 to go in the game, Ryan drops back, finds Gage who literally leaps over a defender to get past the first down marker.  From the 42, Ryan finds Ridley at the 42 along the sideline.  First and 10 from the Chiefs’ 42, Ryan finds Ridley for 9 yards.  On 2nd and 1, Ryan goes to the end zone, Ridley was 5+ yards out.  On 3rd and 1, jumbo formation, Gurley gets 2 yards for the first down.  From the 26, Ryan throws to Ridley, but out of bounds outside the endzone, but there is a penalty on the defense for 12 men on the field and offsides.  First and 5 from the 21 with 27 seconds to go.  Blitz coming, Ryan throws incomplete toward Gage.  With 23 seconds to go, Hurst in motion, Ryan is sacked and ball is fumbled and recovered by Kansas City.  The referees rule it is an incompletion that bounced off a defender and bounced back to look like a fumble.  On 3rd and 5 with 19 seconds, Ryan back peddles and releases an almost interception that Ridley knocks out of the defender’s hands. 

Younghoe Koo comes out to attempt the field goal and misses. 

The game ends Chiefs 17 – Falcons 14

Another Great HALF of Atlanta Falcons Football

Atlanta Falcons 27/Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31

December 20, 2020

Article by Allison Smith, Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

On the first play of the game, Matt Ryan hands to Todd Gurley for a 1-yard loss.  On 2nd and 11, Brandon Powell caught the ball, but was immediately stopped.  On 3rd and 9, Ryan finds Gurley for the first down reception.  From the 36, Ito Smith comes in and finds a seam on the left side for a 5-yard gain.  On 2nd down, Ryan hits Hayden Hurst who stretches for the first down, but the refs mark him 1 yard short. On the 3rd and 1, Ryan finds Calvin Ridley crossing the field at the 40, then Ridley goes for anther 8 yards.  From the Tampa Bay 32, Ryan finds Russell Gage now in the middle of the field and Gage goes to the 5-yard line.  On first and goal, Ryan in the shotgun, easily finds Gage in the left edge of the end zone for a TOUCHDOWN.

With 10:34 to go in the first quarter, Falcons lead 7/0.

Tampa Bay starts on their own 25 and a quick throw to Antonio Brown at the line goes for another 6 yards.  On 2nd down, Tom Brady is under pressure but finds the tight end for a 14-yard gain, taken out of bounds by Foye Oluokun.  From the 45, Brady drops back, looking deep, but throws it short out of bounds.  Brady hands off to Leonard Fournette who is immediately met hard by Keanu Neal, Fournette circles around behind the line and is finally taken down by Sherrod Neasman and Neal.  On 3rd and 18, Brady finds LeShaun McCoy or a 14-yard gain where he is stopped short of the first down by Deion Jones.  Powell fair catches the punt at the 10.

On the first play of their second possession, the Falcons hand off to Brian Hill for a single yard. From the shotgun, Ryan hits Powell for a short gain along the left side for a 3-yard gain.  On 3rd and 6 from the 14, Ryan is pressured, then decides to run, not only for the first down, but up to the 30 for a 16-yard gain along the right sideline.  On play action, Ryan finds a wide-open Luke Stocker on the right side for a big first down of 25 yards.  On the Buccaneers side of the field, Stocker cannot haul the pass in.  On 2nd and 10, Hill gets buried behind the line of scrimmage and a 5-yard loss.  Gurley is back in for the 3rd and 14, on a 4-man rush, Ryan hits Gurley, short of the first down marker.  The punt goes to the 7 and is returned for a couple of yards.

Fournette goes up the middle for a yard where he is met by Allen Bailey.  Brady passes short to Cameron Brate for 8 yards where he is met by Oluokun and Jones.  On 3rd and 1 from the 21, a pitch to Fournette goes for the first down along the far right side, pushed out by Isaiah Oliver.  From the 23, Fournette goes up the middle again, being pulled backwards by Neal.  On 2nd and 9, Brady throws to the line to Scotty Miller, who is immediately stopped by Oliver.  On 3rd and 7, blitz coming, Brady throws toward Brown who is tightly covered by Kendall Sheffield and the ball falls to the ground.  From the 26, Ryan cannot make the completion to Gage.

End of Q1 – Falcons 7/Buccaneers 0.

Ryan has the ball tipped before it can reach Gage.  On 3rd and 10, from the shotgun, Ryan throws downfield just over Ridley along the sideline.  He leaves the field holding his midsection as Sterling Hofrichter punts 48 yards to the 26. 

Brady begins with an incompletion to Rob Gronkowski.  Second down, Mike Evans hauls in the reception and is immediately stopped by Sheffield.  On 3rd and 3, Jones goes behind the line and sacks Brady with Grady Jarrett inches away, an 8-yard loss.  A 3 and out for the Bucs and a punt to the Falcons’ 35.

Deion Jones Sacks Tom Brady – Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Ryan finds Hill at the 40 for a quick reception.  On 2nd down, Ryan hands to Hill who goes up the middle for a couple of yards.  On 3rd and 2, from the shotgun, Ryan hands to Smith who finds a hole and 3 yards for the first down.  Ryan changes the play at the line and has the pass intended for Powell tipped at the line of scrimmage.  Hill gets the call again for no gain on the left side.  On 3rd and 10, Keith Smith gets the reception and gains 8 yards.  On 4th and 2 across midfield, Ryan rolls to the right and finds Gage open for the first down for 7 yards.  On the Tampa 39, Ryan fakes the handoff, looks at two receivers, then hits K. Smith again for 13 yards.  Ryan finds Laquon Treadwell for 14 yards.  From the 12, Ryan fakes to Hill and finds an open Ridley in the front corner of the end zone for another touchdown.  Ridley made a move in the end zone to escape his defender and get open as the ball was released. 

With 7:48 to go in the half, Falcons 14/Buccaneers 0.

Tampa Bay begins on their own 25 and Brady’s pass falls incomplete.  Second down, Brady finds Chris Godwin, Oliver pulls the ball out, but the Bucs recover.  First down from the 41, Ke’shaun Vaughn goes for 3 yards.  Brady finds Gronk, right at the first down marker, shoved out by Neal.  Brady under pressure, drops back, but Godwin cannot make the catch.  On second down, Evans makes the reception along the sideline with AJ Terrell shoving him out of bounds at the marker.  With the blitz coming, lead by Oluokun, Brady releases the ball into the sideline.  Vaughn gets tripped up and gains a couple of yards up the middle.  On 3rd and 9, Neasman zips up the middle and sacks Brady for a 9-yard loss.  On 4th and 18, the Bucs punt to the 11.

Ryan begins with a 2-yard pass to Ridley.  From the shotgun, Ryan hands off to Smith for a 3-yard gain.  On 3rd down, seeing no coverage on the outside on Ridley, Ryan makes the completion for 7 yards.

2 Minute Warning

From the 23, Ryan throws to a wide-open Ridley at the 37.  Ito Smith with the block to give Ryan time.  Another reception by Ridley, for 18 yards into Tampa Bay territory.  Ryan’s next pass is tipped at the line.  Smith gets the reception of 5 yards near the sideline.  The blitz is picked up, Ryan finds Gage crossing the field for 15 yards.  A scrambling Ryan is able to find Hurst for 12 yards down to the 13.  The Falcons take a time out.  Gage is being looked at on the sideline – ribs.  Ryan throws to Blake behind the line of scrimmage.  Falcons take another time out with 33 seconds to go in the half.  On 2nd and 11, Ryan drops back, flushed from the pocket and has to throw it out of the end zone.  On 3rd and 11 from the 13, Ryan’s pass to Gage is knocked away in the end zone.  Younghoe Koo kicks the 32-yard field goal.

On the kickoff, the Buccaneers return the ball to the 18.  Jaedon Graham on the stop and is injured on the play.  Brady takes a knee.

At half, Falcons 17/Buccaneers 0

The Buccaneers begin on their own 20.  Brady starts with a 20-yard pass to Brown, who is stopped by Oliver.  An incompletion to Evans is followed by a 14-yard reception by Brate at midfield and the first down.  Fournette pushes through the middle for 9 yards.  Fournette gets the next run along the left side for 4 yards stopped by Neasman.  Then, Brady lobs it downfield to Evans for 32 yards, he is stopped at the 1 by Neal.  Fournette goes in for the touchdown. 

With 11:28 to go in the 3rd, Falcons 17/Buccaneers 7.

Under pressure, Ryan steps up and able to find an open Ridley for 13 yards. From the 38, Ryan hands to Smith who gains 2 yards up the middle.  Ryan drops back after the fake and throws on a rope to Ridley flying out of bounds, one foot down, one foot drag, a 28 yard reception.  Smith gets a big lead block and zooms for 7 yards along the right side.  Smith runs up the right side, turns, catches the ball and gains 4 yards behind a big Matt Gono block.  Ryan finds an open Gage for another 14 yards.  On first and goal from the 7, Gurley is in and Ryan finds a tightly covered Hurst in the end zone for the touchdown. 

With 7:34 to go in the 3rd, Falcons 24/Buccaneers 7.

From the 25, Brady throws behind Gronkowski.  Brady is successful to Gronkowski for 5 yards, shoved out of bounds by Neal.  On 3rd and 5, Brady drops back and under a 3-man rush, Evans makes the 26-yard reception.  Next, Brady finds Fournette who out moves Terrell and is taken out by Oluokun and Jarrett.  Fournette rushes for no gain, stopped by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner.  On 2nd and 10, Brady is under pressure by Jarrett and Jones, he points for Evans to come back and Evans makes the reception at the 4.  With Jaylinn Hawkins in tight coverage, Brown cannot make the touchdown reception.  On 2nd down, Godwin makes the touchdown reception.

With 3:44 left in the 3rd quarter, Falcons 24/Buccaneers 14

After the fake hand off to Hill, Ryan drops back and throws up to Hill for a 4-yard gain.  With time, Ryan throws incomplete to Ridley crossing the with the inroute.  An incompletion out of bounds on 3rd down forces a quick punt. 

From their own 24, the Buccaneers’ first pass falls incomplete.  Second down, Brady finds Gronkowski who is tightly covered by Oluokun for 17 yards.  Another incompletion, going for Tyler Johnson, but Terrell knocks the ball away.  Blitz coming, Brady finds Miller wide open, who is hit by Jarrett (who was rushing the passer) forcing the fumble that is recovered by Jones.  Jarrett is pressing the offensive lineman, as soon as the ball goes by, he turns toward the ball carrier.  The referees decide his knee was down, the Falcons challenge.  The play is confirmed and the Falcons lose a time out and the challenge.  An incompletion to Evans is negated by a “hands to the face” and a PI by Terrell.  Both penalties are accessed for 28 yards.  First and 10 at the 17, Brady finds Fournette wide open in the flat for 8 yards.  Second and 2 at the 9, Brady’s pass is complete to Brown for the first down, but not the touchdown.  Terrell slows Brown up and Oliver saves the touchdown.  At the 1, Gronkowski can’t haul in the pass, but gets another PI.  On first down from the half yard line, Fournette takes it in for another touchdown.

First and 10 from the 25, Ryan hands to Hill for a 3-yard loss.

End of the 3rd quarter, Falcons 24/Buccaneers 21.

On 2nd and 12, Gage cannot make the reception thrown slightly behind him.  Ryan drops back and passes to Stocker at the line.  There is another penalty for movement and the Falcons punt.  And there is another penalty on the punt.  After Tyler Hall was blocked in the back, he hit the returner with his helmet.  Offsetting.  Still 4th and 16, Falcons will punt again.  On the re-punt, Barner gets a 21-yard return to the 49.

Brady’s pass to Fournette is incomplete.  A 5-yard completion to McCoy who is stopped by Oluokun.  Oliver is injured on the play, Hall in for Oliver. On 3rd and 6 from the Falcons’ 46, Evans is wide open for the easy first down at the 35.  Brady passes to Godwin for 9 yards, stopped by Hall and Oluokun.  A side pass to Brown goes for 13 yards, shoved out of bounds by Hall.  From the 13, Brady throws out of end zone over Gronkowski who is covered by Oluokun.  Quick throw to Miller at the line, Terrell stops Miller after a 4-yard gain.  On 3rd and 6, Brady fires incomplete to Gronkowski, covered by Terrell. 

With just over 11 to play, game is tied at 24.

Ito Smith Pushing Through – Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

First play is an 11-yard reception by Keith Smith.  From the 36, Ridley is wide open again, makes the reception and gains 34 yards, 15 after the catch.  Ito Smith picks up 4 yards.  Ryan fakes to Smith, then looks to Ridley in the end zone, but the defender gets a hand on the ball to knock it incomplete.  Ryan is quickly sacked on 3rd down.  On 4th and 14, Koo comes on to kick a 52-yard field goal. 

With 8:22 to go in the game, Falcons take back the lead 27/Buccaneers 24.

From the 22, Brady finds Brate in the middle of the field, big hit by Neal stops him, after an 18-yard gain.  Fournette gains one yard, stopped by Jones and Deadrin Senat.  On 2nd and 9 from the 41, Godwin makes the reception and gains 13 yards, pushed out by Jones.  Brady then finds Brown for a 46-yard touchdown reception over Hall.

With 6:19 to go in the game, Falcons 27/Buccaneers 31.

From the 25, under pressure, Ryan throws to Hurst behind the line of scrimmage who is tackled for even more of a loss.  On 2nd and 12, Ryan drops back under a 4-man rush, he goes long for Gage, but the ball is too long, just off his fingertips.  On 3rd down, Ryan is sacked, again.  Hofrichter kicks from inside the endzone for 57 yards.

Fournette easily gets the first down and is stopped at the 44-yad line by Jones, Neasom, and others.  Fournette is stopped for a single yard gain by Jones.  After the play fake, Brady meets Jarrett again.  On 3rd and 16, after the Falcons final timeout (wasted one with a challenge), McCoy is 3 yards short of the first down. 

Grady Jarrett After Reacquainting Himself with Tom Brady on the Sack – Jarrett sacked Brady 3 times in SB51

After the punt, the Falcons begin on their own 12-yard line with 2:44 to go and no time outs.  Ryan throws incomplete toward Powell.  On 2nd and 10, Ryan is under pressure and steps on an offensive lineman and falls to the ground.  Then throws in the area of Hurst.  On 4th and 16 from the 6, Ryan throws to Ridley at the 20, but needs the 22.  Buccaneers take over at the 22.

Fournette goes for 2 yards, then another 6 and another 2.  They come out to measure for the first down or not.  The ruling is that it is a first down, while the chains, the announcers and Raheem Morris disagree.  The Bucs are “given” the first down and can take a knee to win the game.

Falcons 27/Buccaneers 31.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley Owt

Atlanta Falcons Sacked Out in New Orleans

November 22, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons 9 at New Orleans Saints 24

The Falcons take on the Saints for the first time of the 2020 season, two weeks removed from their hosting of the Saints in Atlanta.

Inactives for the day, recently added to active roster, Kurt Benkert.  Qadree Ollison is back to inactive, along with the still healing Deadrin Senat.  Calvin Ridley was questionable, but is active, as is the hamstring hampered Julio Jones.

The New Orleans Saints win the toss and defer the ball.  They kick to the Atlanta Falcons.

From the 25, the Falcons begin with a fake to Todd Gurley, then hits Gurley at the 28-yard line. Matt Ryan changes the play at the line, fakes to Gurley again, then finds Calvin Ridley for 42 yards.  Ryan finds Olamide Zaccheaus for another first down of 16 yards.  Gurley gets the call for a 2-yard run along the right side.  From the Saints 14, Ryan throws to Keith Smith for 4 yards.  On 3rd and 4, Ryan cannot connect with Hayden Hurst, who was covered by 3 defenders.  Younghoe Koo successfully kicks the field goal and gives the Falcons the lead.

First and 10 from the 21, Taysom Hill passes to Michael Thomas for an 8-yard gain, stopped by Deion Jones.  Latavius Murray goes for a yard forcing a 3rd and 1.  Grady Jarrett and Allen Bailey combine for a sack of Hill.  The Saints punt to Brandon Powell at the 32.

Before the Falcons snap the ball, Chris Lindstrom has a false start and backs the Falcons up to the 27.  On 1st and 15, Ryan flips it out to Powell who gains 3 yards along the right side.  Under a 4-man rush, Ryan finds Russell Gage for 1 yard and is immediately stopped.  On 3rd and 11, Ryan is sacked by Cam Jordan.  Sterling Hofrichter punts to the 30-yard line, where the special teams group ensures he gains to yards.

Alvin Kamara gets the ball for a quick 6-yard gain, stopped by Jarrett.  On 2nd down, Deonte Harris gets the ball for a big 24-yard gain around the left side.  Keanu Neal finally knocked him out of bounds.  Under pressure Hill takes the ball himself and gains 4 yards before sliding to avoid the Neal hit.  Kamara goes up the middle for 4 yards up the middle.  On 3rd and 2 Hill throws toward Thomas, but he has been knocked down for Darqueze Dennard.  Automatic first down.  From the 23, Hill drops back and finds Adam Trautman for the first down, eventually stopped by Foye Oluokun.  From the 4, wild cat, Kamara gets the direct snap and gains a few yards. The Saints call a time out.  Hill drops back and throws into the end zone, Mykal Walker nearly made the pick.  Walker read the play perfectly and got a single hand on the ball.  ON 3rd down, Thomas gets the ball but Dennard hits him immediately at the line of scrimmage.  The Saints kick the field goal to tie the game.

At 2:47 to go in the 1st quarter, Falcons 3/Saints 3.

Ryan scrambles for no gain.  On 2nd and 10, Ryan, from the shotgun, under a blitz, finds Julio Jones for a 17-yards.  From the 42, Gurley gets the call, after a stutter step, he finds a 7-yard hole.  Gurley is behind the block of Jones.  Gurley breaks tackles to cross midfield for the first down.  Brian Hill gets the call from the backfield and gains 5 yards along the right side.

End of Q1.  Tied at 3.

On 2nd and 6 from the Saints 41, Ryan cannot find a receiver.  On 3rd and 6, Ryan is pressured and dumps off to Smith.  A flag on the Saints for holding moves the Falcons up 5 yards and provides the automatic first down.  From the 36, Ryan is in trouble, throws the ball that is tipped at the line.  Gurley goes up the middle for 3 yards.  Third and 7, another incompletion toward Hurst, under pressure, Ryan throws behind Hurst.  Another Koo field goal.

With 13:56 to go in the half, Falcons lead 6/3.

Hill finds Thomas for a 26-yard gain.  The biggest play against AJ Terrell this season.  Walker is injured on the play.  Near midfield, Hill finds Thomas for 9 yards.  Kamara gains 6 yards for the first down, then the Saints get a free 5 on a hold in the defense.  Hill cannot connect with Thomas on the next play.  On 2nd and 10, Hill has all day, but cannot find an open receiver, Charles Harris tackles him for a 3-yard loss.  On 3rd and 13, Hill throws an incomplete screen to Kamara.  Will Lutz hits the goal post on the field goal attempt. 

From the 44, Hill goes up the middle for 4 yards.  On 2nd and 6, Ryan changes the play at the line, Powell gets the ball, but the play is called dead on a penalty on Luke Stocker.  Ridley makes the 8-yard reception.  Ryan is sacked on 3rd down for a 6-yard loss.  Jake Matthews gives up the sack.  Hofrichter on for the punt that falls into the end zone.

From the 25, Hill hands off to Murray for 2 yards.  Hill’s next pass is incomplete.  Hill finds Harris for a yard gain, but is met hard by Terrell.  Isaiah Oliver is being tackled by two blockers, giving Terrell the space to make the play. 

After the punt, the Falcons begin on their own 30.  Ryan flips back to Hill, who cannot find any space along the edge.  From the shotgun, the draw to Gurley for 2 yards.  On 3rd down, Gage makes the reception for 11 yards. The next pass is to Gage as well for 17 yards along the sideline.  A quick 3-yard gain by Gurley.  On 2nd down, Ryan fakes to Gurley and has the ball knocked out of Christian Blake’s face by the defender.  On 3rd and 7, the Saints call their second time out.  Jones has been missing for quite a while and is back on the field.  On the 3rd down, with Jones in the slot, Ryan drops back and has the ball tipped at the line and falls incomplete.  Koo kicks a successful 52-yard field goal.

With 4:31 to go in the half, Falcons 9, Saints 3.

The Saints bring the kickoff out of the end zone, but met by the Falcons special teams at the 20.  Hill fakes to Kamara, under pressure finds Thomas for 16 yards.  Terrell in tight coverage and makes the stop.  Kamara gains 7 yards.  on 2nd down, Hill lobs the ball to the 15 where Emmanuel Sanders makes the reception.  Sanders rolls, gets back up, then Dennard knocks the ball out and Neal comes up with the fumble.  After a booth review, Neal had tapped Sanders while he was down originally.  Frist and 10 at the Falcons 13.  Kamara takes the direct snap and goes for 2 yards.  After a fake handoff, Hill goes along the right side with Jacob Tuioti-Mariner in hot pursuit, making the tackle with Blidi Wreh-Wilson.

Two Minute Warning.

From the Falcons 9, on 3rd and 6, Hill finds Jared Cook right at the first down marker, stopped at the line by Oluokon and Allen.  Atlanta takes a time out, meanwhile, the spot of the stop is under review.  The play stands and is a first down at the 3.  Hill hands to Kamara who goes in for the touchdown. 

With 1:46 until the half, Falcons 9, Saints 10.

Calvin Ridley Making Plays

From the 25, Ryan drops back and finds Ridley at the 32.  Ryan finds Ridley again at the 43 for a first down.  Ryan is under pressure and throws near Ridley, incomplete.  A flag is thrown on the defense for holding, a first down and 5 yards.  From the 48, Ryan drops back and lobs the ball down field for Ridley, but the ball goes out of bounds.  Ryan finds Hill over the right side for 2 yards, another defensive hold for another 5 yards and first down.  From the Saints 47, Ryan hits Gage for an 8-yard gain.  Ryan throws toward Blake, where he is covered/blocked by a defender.  The ball falls incomplete.  On 3rd down, Ryan is sacked again by Jordan.  The loss knocks the Falcons out of field goal range.  The Falcons call a time out with 3 seconds remaining.  Ryan throws to the end zone and he is intercepted by Marcus Williams who makes it to the 20-yard line.  Hill is called for a horse collar, the Saints are provided 15 yards and a free play.  The Saints decline the penalty and go in at half.

Half Time – Falcons 9/Saints 10

The Saints begin on their own 20.  Kamara tries to go up the middle, for no gain.  Hill draws Steven Means offsides.  On 2nd and 4, Hill rifles the ball to Thomas at the 41.  Hill quickly hits Thomas for 9 yards.  Kamara gains the first down crossing midfield.  From the Falcons 46, Hill finds Murray who breaks tackles and gets down to the 21.  Murray goes up the middle for another quick first down.  From the 10, Hill has all day, finally runs the ball himself and is knocked out of bounds after 3 yars by Dennard.  Hill’s pass is tipped high by Falcons defense.  On third down, Thomas makes the reception, but is in the arms of Terrell and stopped there.  On 4th and goal from the 2, the Saints beef up the line, then Hill runs the ball in for a touchdown. 

With 9:11 to go in the 3rd quarter, Falcons 9/Saints 17.

Beginning on the 25, Ryan fakes to Gurley and is sacked.  On 2nd and 17, Ryan throws to Gage for a 4-yard gain.  A flag is on Atlanta for illegal formation, but declined.  On 3rd and 13, Ryan has his foot grabbed by a defender and is sacked for the 6th time today.  On the 4th down punt, there is movement and Hofrichter kicks from the end zone. 

The Saints begin on their own 43.  Hill drops back and hits Sanders for the touchdown.  There was a hold – complete bear hug on an offensive lineman calling the play back and backing the Saints up.  On 2nd and 20 from the 33, Hill hands to Murray who goes up the middle for 7 yards.  Hill finds Thomas for a huge 19-yard gain and first down.  Immediately stopped by Allen.  From the Falcons 41, Kamara gains a yard.  Hill is sacked quickly by Jones for an 11-yard loss.  Tuioti-Mariner and John Cominsky were closing.  Hill connects with Sanders for a short gain and the Saints punt to the 12.

Gurley goes left for a couple of yards, then is stopped at the line.  On 3rd and 7, Ryan’s pass to Gage is knocked out in good coverage by the defender.  Another Hofrichter punt from the edge of the end zone. 

Saints begin on their own 47.  Hill throws out of bounds toward Cook, Oluokun is called for PI.  Hill throws the same pass, this time caught by Cook under coverage by Kendall Sheffield.  The play is called back due to a hold on the offense.  It is first and 20 from the 45.  Murray goes 11 yards.  Jarrett forcing a quick pass by Hill.  Hill finds Sanders for a 6-yard gain.

End of 3rd quarter, Falcons 9/Saints 17.

Hill runs for the first down.  Kamara finds a few yards up the middle.  Murray gets the first down up the middle.  Jarrett is tackled and taken down from behind, opening the hole for Hill to run for the 20-yard touchdown. 

With 12:41 to go in the game, Falcons 9/Saints 24.

Powell brings the kickoff out, rams into his own teammates and is stopped at the 17.  Ryan drops back and finds Blake at the 20.  An incompletion toward Ridley.  On 3rd and 7, Ryan is sacked again, by Jordan, again.  Falcons punt to the 35.

After AJ Terrell Forces a Fumble. Foye Oluokun Recovers

Kamara goes 12 yards before Oluokun makes the stop.  Murray goes for 2 yards before meeting Jarrett.  On 2nd and 8, Sanders gains the first down.  Murray gains no yards on the next run.  Hill makes a big run, Terrell pops the ball out and Oluokun recovers the fumble. 

Ito Smith gets the first play after the turnover and goes for 5 yards.  Ryan nearly throws an interception on an attempt to Stocker.  On 3rd and 5, Jones is back on the field, Ryan is nearly sacked, but gets the ball out to Gage for the first down.  Ryan has back to back passes to Gage knocked incomplete.  On 3rd down…..Ryan….sacked….again.  On 4th and 13 from the 25, Ryan finds Jones at the 50 for a first down.  Another pass to Gage is knocked out of his hands.  Jones is limping on the sideline and sits down to be looked at again.  Hill goes up the middle for 7 yards.  Pass to Ridley is picked off at the 36. 

With 5 minutes remaining in the game, the Saints continue to run the ball and the Falcons take back to back time outs. 

Under a minute to go in the game, the Falcons get the ball back just outside their endzone.  The first two passes are to Ridley.  Both very contested.  The first was a leaping catch of 18 yards, the next an incompletion.  The incomplete pass to Gage is reviewed and the incompletion is upheld.  Ryan finds Gage on the next play for a 9-yard reception.  As time runs out, Blake makes the 15-yard reception. 

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

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 2nd and 9, Ryan is under pressure and throws a quick shot to Hayden Hurst, but he cannot haul the pass in.  On 3rd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 2nd and 10, Stafford gives to Peterson who quickly meets Foye Oluokun for a 1-yard gain. On 3rd 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 2nd and goal from the 7, Oluokun stops Jones from making the reception.  On 3rd 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 3rd 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 2nd and 9, Stafford changes the play, then hands to Peterson who gained no yards, stopped by Neal who got off the WR block.  On 3rd 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 2nd and 1, Olamide Zaccheaus takes the snap and pushes up the middle for no gain.  On 4th 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 2nd and 10 Ryan finds Powell for the touchdown, but is negated by a Ridley PI.  On 2nd and 20, Ryan from the shotgun, finds Gurley over the middle for 11 yards.  On 3rd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd and 11 from the Falcons 12, Hockenson is open and makes the 10-yard reception.  On 4th 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 1st 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 2nd 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 2nd and 19, Jones almost gets to Stafford, but Swift has the ball and jetting up for 8 yards.  on 3rd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd and 12, Ryan, on the run, finds Ridley headed out of bounds for a gain of 7 yards.  At the 13, on 4th 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 2nd 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 2nd and 4, Peterson goes for 3 yards.  On the 3rd and 1, Peterson is shoved back for a loss by rookie Mykal Walker.  On 4th 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 2nd and 2 at the 13, Gurley goes to the left side and gains 1 yard.  The Lions call another timeout. 

On 3rd 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

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, 4th 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 3rd downs, the defense got off the field more or forced 4th 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 2nd and 6, the Bears scored a 35-yard touchdown because Oliver cannot make the tackle.  He dropped or missed two interceptions.  On a 3rd and 8, another explosive play, a 29-yard touchdown to Anthony Miller.  The defense nearly gave up a touchdown on the 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 4th quarter begins and Ryan has his pass batted down at the line.  The Falcons sideline called a timeout.  Back to the 3rd and 7 and Ryan is sacked at the 30.  It is 4th 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 3rd down offense.  The Falcons were 4 for 13 on 3rd 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

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