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 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 4th 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 2nd and 8, Gurley goes up the middle for a few yards. On 3rd 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 2nd and 10, Trubisky hands off to Montgomery, Davison grabs his foot stopping any progress as the line swarms. On 3rd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 2nd and 4, Hill goes up the middle right for a yard. In the red zone, a 3rd 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 2nd and 17, Trubisky fires to Darnell Mooney, where he slides out of bounds at the 30. On 3rd 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 4th 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 2nd and 10, Ryan hands to Gurley who goes around the right side for 7 yards. On 3rd 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 2nd and 10, Ryan’s bad pass is tipped and nearly intercepted right at Ridley who is double covered. The ball was too high. On 3rd and 10, there is a flag before the ball is snapped. Mack jumped offsides and the Falcons move up 5 yards for a 3rd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 2nd and 10, Trubisky rolling right dumps it off to Cohen for an 8-yard gain. On 3rd 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 1st 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, 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 3rd, 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 3rd 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 2nd and 9, Ryan fakes to Gurley and fires out of the corner of the end zone over Ridley who is well covered. On 3rd 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 3rd, 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 2nd 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 2nd and 6, Foles hands to Montgomery who is immediately stopped by Tuioti-Mariner. On 3rd 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 4th 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 3rd and 3, another handoff to Gurley from the shotgun, Gurley goes for 16 yards on the outside.
At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Falcons still lead 26/10.
Gurley gains 3 yards as the 4th quarter begins. Ryan, from the shotgun, has his pass batted down at the line as he reaches over Mack. On 3rd and 7, the play is called dead before the snap. The Falcons sideline has called a timeout. Back to 3rd and 7 and Ryan is sacked at the 30. It is 4th 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 2nd 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 2nd down, Reynolds tackles the receiver, knocking the ball out for another incompletion. On 3rd 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 3rd 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 2nd and goal, Foles flips it out to Cohen where he is met by Neal. On 3rd 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 4th 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 3rd and 5, Ryan overthrows Zaccheaus at the 45. On 4th 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 3rd and 6, Foles tries to go over Oliver for #12, but the ball is knocked out. Another 4th 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 2nd and goal, Graham in motion, Foles throws to far to the left of Graham. On 3rd 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 2nd 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 1st 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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.
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