Tag: Foye Oluokun

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 Defense Wins the Final Stand

Atlanta Falcons 25 at Carolina Panthers 17

October 29, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Inactives of note this week are Takk McKinley, still with the groin injury.  Marlon Davidson and Jordan Miller and late scratch Ito Smith, which I can only assume is because LB Edmond Robinson was flexed to the active roster.  For the Carolina Panthers, Christian McCaffrey will not play.

It is a balmy night in Charlotte, NC, where remnants of the tropical storm Zeta went through earlier in the day.  At game time, it started to drizzle.

The Falcons will receive the ball to start.  From the 25, Matt Ryan drops back to throw to Julio Jones at the 49.  Play action again, Ryan finds Jones again for another 27 yards along the sideline.  Jones comes off the field, Hayden Hurst is in motion.  A fake to Todd Gurley and a pass to Hurst at the 12.  Gurley gets the ball for a single yard game around the left end.  In the shotgun, Ryan passes to Calvin Ridley who makes a move away from the defenders for a 7-yard gain.  On 3rd and 2, Gurley gets the call up the middle for inches short of the first down.  With 11 minutes to go in the first quarter, the Falcons take a time out.  The offense leaves the field and Younghoe Koo kicks a 20-yard field goal. 

With 11:14 to go in the first quarter, Falcons lead 3/0.

The Panthers begin on their own 25.  Teddy Bridgewater throws toward DJ Moore who cannot haul it in as Kendall Sheffield and Keanu Neal combine to knock the ball out. Sheffield is hurt on the play, as Neal hit him in the side/back.  On 2nd and 10, Bridgewater fires to Robby Anderson for 5 yards.  Neal was closing on Bridgewater as he released the ball.  Hit as he throws (by Grady Jarrett), the pass falls incomplete as Isaiah Oliver is called for PI, giving the Panthers the yards and a first down.  Chased out of bounds by Dante Fowler, then tapped on the sideline by Deion Jones, Bridgewater is given another free first down.  Across the 50, Mike Davis gets the ball for a 7-yard run.  A quick pass to Davis gains the first down and more. He escapes Neal and is finally stopped by Jarrett.  From the 29, Davis escapes all tackles, spins and switches field, lowers his shoulder and gains another first down, finally brought down by 3 Falcons.  Curtis Samuel takes the next handoff in for an easy touchdown. 

With 8:14 to go in the first quarter, the Panthers lead 7/3.

From the 25, Ryan hands off to Gurley who gains 4 yards.  On 2nd down, Ryan finds Jones for another 13 yards.  From the 42, Ryan hands to Gurley who goes 3 yards along the left side.  Ryan changes the play, takes the snap and finds an open Jones in the middle near the 35-yard line for a 20-yard gain.  Gurley and Hurst blocking well along the right side to give Ryan time to find Jones.  Gurley is stopped at the line of scrimmage.  Ryan drops back, flings the ball toward Hurst as the blitz is closing.  On 3rd and 10, Ryan takes another time out.  Then, the Panthers take a time out.  Back on 3rd and 10, Kaleb McGary jumps and moves the Falcons back to the 41.  On the 3rd and 15, Ryan finds Ridley in double to triple coverage for the first down and an extra yard.  Brian Hill gets the call and goes 12 yards along the right side for a quick first down.  At the 13, Ryan throws in the end zone for Jones, who cannot make the reception.  No PI was called for the defender tugging and tapping Jones.  Ryan throws for Jones in the corner of the end zone with two defenders in his face.  On 3rd and 10, jones is off the field, Ryan is sacked.  Koo comes on for another field goal.

With 3:00 to go in the first quarter, the Panthers lead 7/6.

During the kick return Keith Smith late hits the returner, so the Panthers will begin at their own 37.  Bridgewater drops back and finds Anderson near the sideline, he escapes AJ Terrell’s tackle.  Before the pass was thrown, there was a defensive hold, but it was declined.  Jarrett gets hands on Davis’ ankles and slows him enough for the rest of the defense to get him down behind the lin.  On 2nd and 14, Jarrett and Terrell converge to stop Davis at the original line of scrimmage.  On 3rd and 9, Bridgewater is sacked by Oliver and Foye Oluokun for a loss of 12 yards.  Oluokun came straight up the middle, while Oliver was along the left side.  The quarter ends before the punt.

End of Q1:  Panther 7 Falcons 6

The Falcons punt to Brandon Powell who fair catches at the 17.  Ryan drops back and is picked off by Dante Jackson who is covering Ridley.

The Panthers begin on the Falcons 40.  Davis is brought down by Oluokun after a 6-yard gain.  ON 2nd and 4, Davis gets the ball again, along the right side this time, still stopped by Oluokun for a 2-yard gain.  Bridgewater changes the play, takes the snap, passes to Samuel along the sideline, gains the first down and is knocked out by Neal.  Bridgewater and Davis with the flea flicker, finds an open Samuel in the end zone.  The Falcons were in zone coverage and Ricardo Allen could not catch up and knock the ball down, although he got a finger on the ball. 

With 12:40 to go until half, Panthers 14/Falcons 6.

Hayden Hurst Making a Big Reception –
Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons/Mark Brown

Again at their own 25, Hill goes along the right side for 8 yards.  On 2nd and 2, Ryan gives to Hill again who goes up the middle for a 4-yard gain and first down.  From the 37, Ryan finds Hurst who has to pick the ball off the ground.  Before Ryan can snap the ball, the Panthers challenge the play.  The play was kept.  Hurst credited with the 18-yard pick up.  Hill drops the next short pass.  On 2nd and 10, Hurst makes the standing reception of 8 yards where he is rocked by Shaq Thompson.  Quadree Ollison in at running back.  Ollison pushes through for the first down.  Hill gains a yard on the next play.  Ridley gains 19 yards on the next pass.  Nine yards on the catch, 10 yards on the YAC.  His ankles were twisted up by the defender and Ridley is down on the field.  From the 14, Hill gets the call, Gurley is on the sideline still.  On 2nd and 9, Ryan scrambles and eventually goes into the edge of the end zone himself.

With 8:02 to go in the half, the Panthers lead is cut, Carolina 14/Atlanta 13.

Bridgewater finds Ian Thomas for a 21-yard gain, but paid for it as Jones was unblocked and leveled Bridgewater. The Panthers are on their own 46 and Samuel goes between the tackles for 9 yards and is stopped by Steven Means.  Across midfield, Davis gains the first down, stopped by Neal.  Bridgewater calls their final timeout of the half.  Bridgewater scrambles way to his right and finally finds Anderson for a 4-yard gain. Davis pushes through the right side of the line for 3 yards.  Samuel gets the handoff, Jarett gets through the double team and gets hands on Samuel to stop him on 3rd down.  The Panthers go for it on 4th down.  Bridgewater keeps the ball, tries to go around the edge, tries to stiff arm Oluokun, but he is stopped and shove out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage.

Falcons take over at their own 35.  Ryan finds Russell Gage for the first time.  Gage takes it from behind the line of scrimmage for 19 yards and a first down.  Gurley is back on the field at running back.  Across midfield, Ryan finds Christian Blake for 7 yards on the sideline.   Hill is back in and gets the ball, makes a nice cut and is down at the 30, behind the blocking of McGary.  From the 30, Ryan hands to Hill, but his stopped behind the line. 

Two Minute Warning.

Gurley is back on the sideline, Jones is on the field.  From the 30, Ryan finds Blake for 6 yards.  Ryan scrambles and runs for a few yards, short of the first, but a flag is on the play, on defense.  From the 16, Ryan throws to double covered Jones in the end zone, 42 Franklin knocks the ball up and out of Jones’ hands before his hands can close.  On 2nd and 10, Ryan is sacked.  On 3rd and 16, Ryan is nearly sacked, runs up 4 yards.  Brian Burns easily spins off of Jake Matthews and nearly gets the sack.  Koo makes another field goal.

At Halftime, Panthers 14/Falcons 16.

After the second half kickoff, the Panthers begin on their own 25.  Bridgewater is under pressure and finally runs up for 8 yards.  He finds Thomas for the first down, Neal stops him at the marker.  Bridgewater is under pressure again, and outruns the Tyeler Davison and Fowler for 14 yards.  At midfield, Davis gets the call, makes a couple of spin moves before Jarrett picks him up and lays him down.  On 2nd and 5, Bridgewater passes to Davis, Neal hits him so hard, the ball flies out, #92 grabbed it, then there was a pile of players from both sides.  The play goes under review.  The Booth determined there was no catch.  Oluokun had penetration to force a bad throw and nearly ended up with the fumble recovery.  It is 3rd and 5 at the 46.  Bridgewater hits Anderson, short of the first down where Terrell ensures he gains no yards after the catch.  On 4th and 2, the Panthers come on to punt, then change their minds and the offense returns to the field.  Davis gets the call and Oluokon and Jarrett stop him behind the line.

Falcons begin on their own 43.  Gurley is brought down way in the backfield by Tre Boston, for a loss of 4 yards.  Ryan starts to run again, then sees Jones 23 yards down the field.  From the Panthers 38, Ryan fakes the handoff and passes to Smith, who cannot hold onto the ball, at the line of scrimmage.  On 2nd and 10, Ryan hands to Gurley this time and he makes a move and crosses the first down marker.  From the 27, Ryan hands to Gurley gain for 2 yards and another 2 yards.  ON 3rd and 6, Ryan sees the blitz and rushes to his right and he throws an incompletion.  There was a hold by the defense for the defender holding and yanking the jersey of Blake downfield.  The Falcons have a 1st down on the 18.  Hurst cannot haul in the pass.  Gurley goes up the middle for a single yard.  Ryan changes the play, takes the snap, and flips it to Gage crossing in the middle of the field, short of the first down marker.  Koo makes the 30-yard attempt.

With 6:26 to go in the 3rd quarter, Falcons lead 19/14. 

The Panthers begin on their 31.  Bridgewater sees the blitz coming, Jones closing and forcing an errant pass.  Bridgewater finds Chris Manhertz and is stopped by Sheffield.  Bridgewater goes long for Samuel, but overthrows him.  Terrell in tight coverage.  On 4th down, the Panthers are charged with a delay of game and punt on 4th and 9.  It is a fake, a direct snap to Jeremy Chinn, who gains 28 yards.  Davis cuts back for 3 yards.  On 2nd down, the pass is tipped at the line by Charles Harris.  On 3rd and 7 from the 37, Bridgewater is tripped by Fowler.  He falls and is hit by two more Falcons.  Bridgewater is down on the field.  Harris is ejected for his late hit on Bridgewater once he was on the ground.  From the 24, PJ Walker goes to the end zone to Anderson, Terrell in perfect coverage ensuring the ball cannot be caught.  After the snap and hand off and reverse, Anderson gets back to the line of scrimmage with Oliver on the stop.  On 3rd and 7, the pass is high and incomplete.  Joey Slye kicks the 39-yard field.

With 2:59 to play in the 3rd, the Falcons lead is cut to 19/17.

From the 25, Ryan hands to Gurley who is tackled from behind by Chinn.  Gurley immediately leaves the field.  On 2nd and 7, Ryan finds Hill just past the line of scrimmage. Ryan scrambles and runs again and gets 10 yards and a first down.  From the 38, Hill finds a huge hole and gains 15 yards.  Across midfield, the Falcons cause a neutral zone infraction and get a free 5 yards. 

End of Q3: Falcons 19/Panthers 17.

Gurley finds 4 ½ yards.  Play action and Ryan finds Hurst for 12 yards.  Gurley leaps over one defender, then forced out by another after a single yard gain.  Ryan finds Jones who is at the first down marker.  Gurley hesitates, then gains 7 yards.  Gurley jams and spins behind an Alex Mack and Smith block and gest down to the 5-yard line.  On the next play, Gurley goes behind a James Carpenter and Smith block for the touchdown.  Koo misses the extra point.

With 11:01 to go in the game, the Falcons lead 25/17.  An 8-point game.

Bridgewater stays on the sidelines.  Davis gets the handoff and goes for 8 yards, stopped finally by Jones.  Walker hands to Davis again for a 12-yard first down, stopped by Terrell.  An incomplete pass gives Bridgewater enough time to recover. On 2nd and 10, he finds Anderson for a 5-yard gain where Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Oliver combine for a stop.  On 3rd and 5, Bridgewater throws to Samuel behind the line of scrimmage where Wreh-Wilson is immediately for the stop.  The Panthers punt this time with the ball going out of bounds at the 5.

Blidi Wreh-Wilson Making a Big Stop on Curtis Samuel Photo Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Ryan hands to Hill who gains 2 yards.  Ryan drops back and passes behind Hill who forces his way past the first down marker.  From the 16, Hill runs into a wall, rolls off the pile and gains one yard.  A flag for defensive holding moves the Falcons up 5 yards and provides a first down.  From the 22, Hill gets the ball again, 3 yards along the left side.  The Falcons call a timeout from the sideline.  On 2nd and 7 from the 25, with Hurst in motion, Ryan finds him at the 30 for a 5-yard gain.  Ryan is sacked by Burns.  A defender was holding Hurst and another first down.  Ryan finds Jones again for 20 yards, down at the Panthers 45.  Gurley is smashed behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of 4 yards, behind a missed McGary block.  Ryan quick throws at the line to Gage, the ball pop ups, but no one catches it and it falls incomplete.  Gurley returns to the field.  On 3rd and 14, Ryan tosses to Gurley who goes 5 yards before running out of bounds.  Sterling Hoffrichter punts to the 5.

With 2:58 to go in the game, the Panthers are down by 8 and have 95 yards to go.  DJ Moore gets the reception for a 13-yard gain and goes out of bounds to stop the clock.  Bridgewater passes to Anderson for minimal gain, but there is a flag on the play.  Fowler jumped offsides, moving the ball up 5 yards.  On 1st and 5 from the 23, Bridgewater sees the blitz and starts to run, Jones stops him after 3 yards.  Oluokun had good pressure forcing Bridgewater out of the pocket.  On 2nd and 2, Bridgewater finds Thomas just past the marker and is stopped by Terrell. 

Two Minute Warning

The Panthers have the ball at their own 32.  The safeties are playing tight to the line of scrimmage, a blitz from Jones and Jarrett and Bridgewater throws towards a receiver.  Bridgewater is sacked by Jones for a loss of 7.  Jarrett was right behind him.  The Panthers take their first time out.  On 3rd and 17, Bridgewater is hit as he throws and finds Moore for a 42-yard gain.  The next pass is underthrown.  From the Falcons 34 Bridgewater is scrambling and has to run out of bounds after a gain of 4.  On 3rd and 6, Bridgewater gets a delay of game call.  But they claim the Panthers’ sideline called a time out first.  Bridgewater drops back, throws a bomb to BLIDI WREH-WILSON.  Wreh-Wilson leaped high in the air to make the grab and seal the game. 

The offense takes the field to kneel down twice.  In 2020, we didn’t even know that was still a thing. 

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

Falcons Perfecting How to Lose Creatively

October 28, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Even with the referees spotting the Lions 7 points early, the Falcons were close and the game went to the wire.  Lesson not-learned, you cannot play Prevent Defense against a good, experienced quarterback.  Todd Gurley accidently scored the go-ahead touchdown, but left too much time on the clock.  Is that really Gurley’s fault?  He knew the plan, you could see him try to stop, he didn’t know the hole would open up so quickly.  Everyone can blame the loss on Gurley.  I do not.

After the ensuing kickoff, the Lions had 6 actual plays that culminated in the scoring of their game-winning touchdown.  Passes of 13, 22, and 29 yards before the 11-yard touchdown to tie the game.  Tight end TJ Hockenson had the first reception and was headed out of bounds.  The defense played it perfectly.  Rookie AJ Terrell hits Hockenson and stops his movement with a shoulder to his stomach, forcing him to not be able to get out of bounds.  Then, Hockenson tries to spin off, Terrell continues to hold on, long enough for Isaiah Oliver and Foye Oluokun to join and ensure an inbounds tackle.  Precious seconds wound off the clock from Hockenson’s continued movement and the inbounds tackle.  At this point, the Lions had used all of their timeouts on the Falcons’ last drive.

Yet still, the next two plays of over 20 yards a piece lead to the 3 seconds remaining, enough time for a touchdown play. 

However, this was not the only causes for the loss.  The keys to the loss on Sunday.  The early game penalty providing an extra down and touchdown for the Lions.  Late game, after the Lions uncharacteristically miss a field goal, Matt Ryan fumbles the ball and the Lions get the ball back at the same original spot, and 3 plays later, get that field goal back. 

There were self-inflicted wounds.  Untimely penalties.  Giving up sacks at the wrong time.  On a crucial defensive 3rd and 1, the Falcons (technically) had 12 men on the field.  Poor execution in the last two minutes of the first half, giving up a score.  And after an 89-yard drive, on 4th and 5, instead of going for the manageable field goal, the Falcons go for the first down and Ryan makes an ill-timed throw that is tipped by the defender.  If Ryan’s throw to Ito Smith is accurate, it is a touchdown.  If they kicked the field goal, 3 points on the board.

Detroit clearly had a better game plan defensively than Atlanta did offensively.  Detroit forced Atlanta to have long drives, while eating up time, but not allowing big plays.  Detroit was able to make those big plays, twelve of them as a matter of fact.  Passes from 16 to 32 yards throughout the game.  Matthew Stafford does not like check downs or the underneath, so when he drops back to throw, he’s going long.  The Falcons playing their zone, was not working.  When in man-to-man, the defense was much more successful.  But, in the end, you cannot give up big yards on a scramble play near the end of game.

Once again, Clemson rookie Terrell was a stand out.  While Terrell only had 4 tackles, he is always in good coverage and contesting passes, and had what should have been key to the game noted above.  Keanu Neal seems to finally be back to 100% and was very physical and moving around the field. Neal led the team in tackles with 11 and a sack on Stafford.  Another consistent standout was Oluokun who had 9 tackles and a pass defended.  Kendall Sheffield finished with 6 tackles, Steven Means with 5, 1 for loss, Deion Jones had 4 tackles, 2 for loss, and a sack.  Rookie Mykal Walker had 3 tackles and is really getting an eye for the pro game with his increased playing time.  Grady Jarrett only had 2 tackles, but 4 quarterback hits and good pressure on the day. 

Deion Jones and Mykal Walker combine for a tackle. Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons/Kyle Hess

Atlanta had another goal line stand Sunday, even with the referees helping the Lions, again.  Jarrett was called for a roughing the passer hit, Jarrett tapped Stafford from behind, just as the ball was released and tried to help him not fall to the ground.  The refs flagged the Falcons and gave the Lions 15 yards on an already successful play.  At the goal line, Dante Fowler hard stopped Adrian Peterson before Peterson could score.  After another questionable penalty, the Falcons were backed up from the 3 to the 1 1/2, but had the ball. 

Then, the Falcons offense took the ball 98 yards for a touchdown.  Detroit was playing cover two much of the day forcing the Falcons to run the ball.  The Offensive struggled against the zone coverage, forcing Ryan to take the check downs and stuffing the run.  Gurley had 23 rushes for 63 yards, one of 13 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley did have long receptions of 28 and 27 yards, but all other receptions were under 20 yards.  Jones caught 8 of 9 balls thrown his way for 97 yards, while Ridley caught 5 of 7 for 69 yards and a touchdown and 2-point conversion.  Russell Gage left but came back after being listed as questionable, and caught 6 passes for 54 yards.

Hayden Hurst Making Guys Miss. Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons/Rob Foldy

On Tight Ends Day, Hayden Hurst had 6 receptions for 68 yards.  Hurst getting more involved in the offense, making receptions, then speeding for additional yards is becoming an increasing asset to the offense.  Both other tight ends, had no receptions, but both logged a penalty during the game.

This week, the Falcons lose by SCORING a touchdown.  They lost on an onside kick, with no time on the clock, a backup quarterback scoring 3 touchdowns, allowing big comebacks.  What is next? Don’t ask. There is a game on a short week, during a tropical storm.

#RiseUp

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