After the Atlanta Falcons swept the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and extended their lead in the NFC South, Dave Archer of 92.9 The Game spoke to Defensive Player of the Game, Jessie Bates. Bates had a forced fumbled, that he recovered and an interception in the game.
Jessie told Arch that he was surprised that the Bucs took the ball first, when they did, we knew we needed to set the tone early on defense. On his forced fumble, Jessie said “the guys made a good tackle and I focused on punching the ball and then it was out.” He said that he does that in practice all week, so it translated on the field. You can see Nate Landman punching at the ball too.
Arch was surprised that Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield tried Jessie on that interception. Jessie walked us through it. It was a flea flicker with the down safety in zone. They jumped the motion and Micheal Hughes was on the post as the WIL, so Jessie knew the ball was coming. He simply tracked it and picked it out of the air. Which is not completely accurate, Jessie picked it right out of the hands of the receiver.
Arch asked Jessie about the run game difference, 62 yards in the first quarter and 40 yards the rest of the game. Jessie said “once we settle in as a defense, we can stop the run and lay a good defense.” He did say they needed to settle in earlier. It also helps when the offense is scoring so the opposing team isn’t running as much.
The Falcons won the toss and decided to receive and take the ball first. After the touchback, the Falcons start on their own 25. On first down, Todd Gurley goes wide right for a 3-yard pick up. On 2nd and 7, the give goes to Gurley again, up the middle for an additional 4 yards. Third and 3, under a four-man rush, Matt Ryan finds Russell Gage who cannot hold on to the ball which falls incomplete. Sterling Hofrichter has a good high punt to the Dallas 22, where a fair catch is called.
Tony Pollard takes the first Dallas handoff, quickly stopped by Takk McKinley. Pollard runs along the left side and suddenly the ball is out and Foye Oluokun is running with the ball. Unfortunately, Pollard was ruled down at the time and Dallas retained possession. It is 3rd and 4 from the 29, Dak Prescott is hit as he throws, by Deion Jones, and the ball is high in the air where the receiver knocks it down to avoid an interception.
Brandon Powell fair catches the ball at the Falcons’ 26. Gurley takes the ball to the left for 5 yards. On 2nd and 5, after the fake handoff, Ryan goes long to Hayden Hurst, who, under pressure with a high ball cannot haul it in. On 3rd down, a pass intended for Gage, the ball is nearly intercepted, but the defender can’t bring it in.
Ezekiel Elliott gets the ball for the first time on the day for a 3-yard gain, stopped by Jones. Prescott airs it on to a receiver, tightly covered by Darqueze Denard. McKinley was draping Prescott as he threw, with the blitz quickly getting to Prescott from the right side. Jones tackles Prescott as Dante Fowler knocks the ball out and John Cominksy recovers the ball.
The offense comes out to the Dallas 22. Matt Gono is on the field with 5 other offensive linemen. Ryan drops back, still under pressure and hits Calvin Ridley on the corner and hits the end zone marker with the ball, as he falls out of bounds. Ridley started inside, did his patented stop and change direction and headed to the outside, while Ryan is holding the ball forever and making the perfect pass.
With 10:58 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 7/0.
Dallas brings the ball out of the end zone where they are quickly met by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and begin this drive on their own 13. A quick pass to the tight end goes for a first down along the left side, Dalton Schultz is shoved out by Keanu Neal. At the 18, Elliott gets the ball, stutter steps for a few yards, where he is hit for a fumble. Oluokun gets the ball out. The call is Falcons ball, but the Dallas offense remains on the field. The referees apparently pointed the wrong way. On the next play, McKinley is called for roughing the passer and moves the Cowboys into Falcons territory. Elliott with the next run, AGAIN Oluokun knocks it out and Grady Jarrett snatches the ball and advances it a few yards. THIS is a fumble recovered by the Falcons.
Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons
From their own 48, another hand off to Gurley for a 3-yard gain. Ryan is under center, fakes to Gurley, back to the nearside, Hurst hauls in the 2-yard reception. On 3rd and 5, Ryan, from the shotgun, runs up and sees the first down marker. Behind the Gurley block, Ryan makes the first down. Next, Ryan rolls out to the right and finds a wide-open Hurst for a 42-yard touchdown.
With 7:37 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons are up 14/0.
The Cowboys have a penalty on the kickoff and will begin on their own 13. A four-man rush and a Prescott quick pass to Schultz, who is stopped by Oluokun. On 1st and 10, a handoff way in the backfield to Elliott, Jarrett is immediately in the backfield for the tackle, with McKinley inches away to assist. Prescott from the gun, good protection with a rushing defense and he finds CeeDee Lamb to gain some yards back. On 3rd and 3, showing blitz, but then pull back and with a 4-man rush, the Falcons get to Prescott who cannot get the pass off and is incomplete. A fake punt is tried, but the punter cannot get the ball to the sliding receiver and the Falcons take over on the Dallas 29.
Brian Hill is in the game at running back, and gets the call for a single yard gain on the left side. On 2nd and 9, Ryan drops back and goes deep for Ridley, who is covered perfectly by the defender who knocks the ball out. On 3rd and 9, Ryan dumps it over the middle to Hill, who is swarmed and stopped after minimal gain. On 4th and 6, Younghoe Koo kicks the 46-yard field goal.
With 4:30 left in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 17/0.
Dallas comes out of the end zone again, this time, LeRoy Reynolds stops the returner at the 17. Olamide Zaccheaus had a penalty moving them out to the 32. Schultz catches the ball, makes a move and Oluokun makes the tackle and punches the ball out. Deadrin Senat fights the pile for the ball and comes up with the recovery.
Zaccheaus blocks the right-side giving Hill enough room for a first down. Another Hill run up the middle for 3 yards. On 2nd and 7, Ryan drops back and looking for Julio Jones, but chooses Hurst with a low uncatchable ball. From the 26, Ryan in the shotgun, throws near the end zone for Jones, but the ball is over his head. A Pass Interference call is finally made and the Falcons get the first down on the 14. Gurley goes up the middle for no gain as Kaleb McGary has to be helped off the field. And does not return to the game.
Gono is in for McGary on the 2nd and 9. Gurley goes up the middle for another yard. On 3rd and 8 from the Dallas 12, Ryan sees the pocket collapsing and runs for a few yards. Koo makes a 26-yard field goal.
With a minute still remaining in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 20/0.
Finally, the Cowboys let the ball go out of the end zone on the kickoff and will start on the 25. Prescott, from the shotgun, finds Amari Cooper on the right side for a first down. Elliott finds some room and rushes up to the 44-yard line. The flag is for holding on Jarrett and moves the ball 5 more yards. Elliott gest another good cutback and finds a hole to move up 5 yards. On 2nd and 5, Prescott finds Lamb for another first down as the quarter comes to a close. Rookie Mykal Walker in coverage.
End of Q1 – 20/0 Falcons.
Lamb gets another speeding first down. From the Falcons 26, Elliott runs down to the 15 for another first down. Rookie AJ Terrell immediately tackles Elliott when he receives the pass behind the line. On 2nd and 13, Elliot finds Blake Bell over the middle for 10 yards, where he is stopped by Denard. On 3rd and 3, Elliott gets the handoff and another first down. Tripped up by Tuioti-Mariner and Allen. Allen is walked off the field with an elbow injury, he does not return to the game.
First and goal from the 2, Prescott hands to Elliott who is stopped at the line by Tyler Davison and Jarrett. On the next play, Elliott makes it into the endzone, plowing over Damontee Kazee, who went too low on the attempted stop.
With 12:09 left in the half, the Falcons lead 20/7.
From the 25, Ryan fakes to Gurley and finds Ridley for a 26-yard reception at midfield. Ryan has to settle for a short pass to Keith Smith for no gain. On 2nd and 10, Ryan hands to Gurley for 8 yards up the middle. Gage is in at quarterback for the wild cat, he hands it off to Gurley for no gain. Now on 4th and 1 at the 41, Smith easily gets the first down. Under pressure and scrambling, Ryan finds Jones at the 35. Jalen Smith with a hit to the head of Jones garners a flag for personal foul and an extra 15 yards and first down. From the Dallas 19, Ryan hands to Gurley who gains 3 yards up the middle. Ito Smith is in at running back, Ryan decides to run up the middle himself. On 3rd and 2, Hill at running back, Ryan under center and throws to Gage just past the first down marker.
It is first and goal at the 7. Ryan pitches back to Ito Smith who zooms behind a good Jake Matthews block on the left side and makes it to the 1. Smith gets the ball behind the line and Jalen Smith stops him behind the line. Lining up, Dallas calls a time out – clearly in mass confusion. Gurley is back in for 3rd and goal, Ryan passes to wide open Ridley in the end zone. Ridley spun and lost his defender at the 2nd O and caught the ball near the helmet of the end zone. After missing the 2-point conversion, to a heavily covered Ridley in the middle of the end zone, the Falcons still lead 26-7.
With almost 6 minutes until halftime, Falcons lead 26/7.
On first and 10, Elliott breaks a tackle to get back to the line of scrimmage, but the leg grab by Jarrett slowed him enough to not make it past the line of scrimmage. On the next play, Elliot makes a first down up the middle. Again, Elliott up the middle, but carrying Senat, so was stopped for only a 4-yard gain. With a 4-man rush, Pollard gets the short pass on the right for a few yards, forcing a 3rd and 3. Prescott from the shotgun, under pressure finds Schultz again, who is stopped by Walker as Prescott was being pressured, then hit by Jarrett.
Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons
After a fake handoff, Prescott finds Cooper who forces a missed tackle by Denard. Terrell brings him down. Michael Gallup has his first catch of the day after getting way away from Isaiah Oliver, but Kazee makes the stop. After a holding call on an offensive lineman with his hand on Jarrett’s facemask and jersey, Dallas has a 1st and 20 from the 27. The pass is incomplete, Oliver knocking it out. On 2nd and 20, there is a false start moving the offense back to a 2nd and 25. Prescott finds Elliott for a 6-yard reception.
After the 2-minute warning, on 3rd and 19, from the shotgun, Prescott takes the ball himself and is met by Jarrett down the field forcing a 4th down and field goal.
With 1:41 until half, it is Atlanta 26/Dallas 10
Powell brings the short kick out to the 21. Gurley finds 7 yards up the middle. A false start by Matthews pushes the Falcons back to a 2nd and 8, but Ryan finds Gage for a big reception to the 38. Ryan flings another first down pass up to Ridley near midfield. A false start moves the ball up 5 yards. Ryan finds an open Ridley again for 24 yards with Jones, the best distracter, on the other side of the field. Next, Ryan sees Jones in the end zone, but throws too high out of the corner of the end zone, where Jones is double covered. On 2nd and 10, Ryan throws out of bounds over Gage. Koo has a successful 41-yard field goal.
At the half, the Falcons lead the Cowboys 29/10.
Dallas begins on their own 24. Elliott finds a seam for 11 yards and is stopped by Neal and Oliver. On 1st down, Prescott drops back, under pressure, cannot connect with Cooper, as Oliver is covering well, with his hand knocking the ball out. Cooper makes the next reception, but Terrell is on top of him immediately. ON 3rd and 6, Atlanta was moving, Prescott takes advantage and finds Lamb 37 yards down the field. Suddenly the defense is not playing man to man. On the Falcons’ 23, play fake Prescott find Schultz again for another first down. WIDE OPEN. On the 5, Elliott goes to the one. Second and goal, Prescott fakes to Elliott and walks in on the left side for the touchdown.
With 12:23 to go in the 3rd quarter, the Falcons still lead 29/17.
After the kickoff and return, the Falcons start at their own 26. Ryan fakes to Gurley, then throws to Keith Smith at the line of scrimmage. On 2nd and 9, Ryan pitches to Gurley who finds a few yards on the left side. Ryan finds Ridley along the sideline for another 10 yards. Another fake to Gurley, another pass to the line of scrimmage, this time to Hurst. On 2nd and 8, Ryan hands to Gurley who gains a couple of yards up the middle. 3rd and 6, Ryan in the shotgun, blitz is coming and still gets the ball out to Gage, just short of the first down marker, who then rolls for a first down.
Gurley gains a yard to cross midfield. Blitz coming, Ryan hits Hill on the right side, who gains 7 yards. On 3rd and 2, Ryan is to the right, a direct snap to Gage, who lobs a 40+ yarder to Jones, but Jones, at the end zone, cannot make the cath. The Falcons plan to go for it on 4th and 2 until the flag for too many people in the huddle and suddenly an almost touchdown is a punt from midfield.
Dallas takes over at their 17. Prescott hits Elliott on the right side for 8 yards. Prescott goes deep to Cooper who had escaped Neal for a 58-yard gain. Elliott forces his way for 8 yards. A 2nd and 2 on the Falcons 8, Elliott pushes for the first down. First and goal from the 7, Prescott fakes to Elliott, makes the pass to Schultz who is nailed by Kazee at the 1. A penalty flag for roughing the passer on Jones, moves the ball to the half yard, but knocked Prescott out for the play. Andy Dalton comes out at quarterback and fakes to Elliott. Dante Fowler is not fooled and stays with Dalton who has to throw out of the end zone. Elliott shoves up the middle of the line and is short, then Prescott returns and gets the rushing touchdown.
With 4:14 to go in the 3rd, the Falcons lead dwindles to 29/24.
Powell takes the kickoff out to the 26, where Ryan runs on first down for 4 yards. Ito Smith gains no yards on the next rush. Ryan finds Hurst for a few yards, which Hurst turns into a 22-yard gain. Across midfield, Ryan hands to Ito Smith for 6 yards. The next play, Ryan airs it out to Ridley in the end zone, but he is perfectly covered by Trevon Diggs who almost intercepts the ball, but Ridley knocks it out. The Falcons take a time out.
Ryan finds Gage who is immediately stopped forcing a fourth down. At the 40, 4th and 2, Jones makes the reception on the ground, rolls back up for several more yards, for a 19-yard gain. Ito Smith rushes for 9 yards before the end of the quarter.
With Julio Jones’ last reception – 808 – ties Roddy White for all time Atlanta receptions.
Gurley rushes for 4 yards. Ryan throws on the run towards Ridley, but intentionally short. On 2nd and goal, Ryan finds a double covered Gage in the end zone for the touchdown.
With only seconds gone in the 4th, the Falcons extend their lead, Atlanta 36/Dallas 24.
Neal stops Pollard on the 24. Prescott hands to Elliott who somehow pushes the entire line up the middle for a first down. At the 35, Prescott drops back and hits Cooper, but he cannot hang onto the ball as he sees Denard closing. Elliott pushes up for 5 yards. On 3rd and 5, Prescott changes the play at the line, then steps up as he is being pressured around the right side by Fowler, Terrell is blitzing and hits Prescott in the middle forcing an errant pass and a fourth down. Another fake punt, this time up the middle, but Cominsky makes the stop as the rest of the defense converges.
The Falcons take over at the Dallas 43 where Gurley gets the call and loses 2 yards. On 2nd and 12, Ryan from the shotgun sees the blitz coming and hits Hurst for a short gain. On 3rd and 8, Ryan dumps it to a wide-open Gage, for a 12-yard first down. From the 29, Ryan hands to Gurley who goes to the right side for 5 yards. Gurley is caught behind the line for a loss. On 3rd and 7, he stands in tight coverage and hits Ridley for another 12-yard gain. From the 14-yard line, Gurley gains 4 yards. On 2nd and 6, Ryan throws it out of the end zone over a covered Jones. Third down is an incomplete pass toward Hurst. Koo has a successful 32-yard field goal.
With 8 minutes to go in the game, the Falcons extend their lead to 39/24 over the Cowboys.
Prescott finds Schultz again for 6 yards. From the shotgun, Prescott tries to get the ball to Lamb, but Denard nearly picks it off, both had hands on the ball. On 3rd and 4, Prescott tries to pull the Falcons offsides, then in trouble, steps up and gets the ball to Bell for a 24-yard gain. Across midfield, Prescott runs, but Steven Means pulls him down from behind. Gallup cannot haul the next pass in, close to the sideline, tightly covered by Oliver. On 3rd and 7, Prescott finds Lamb for a first down, covered by Oliver, but not in man to man. Oliver gets the stop, but had no play on the ball. Cooper is tackled immediately by Denard after the next reception. Schultz gets the first down, but is dropped at the marker. From the Falcons 18, Prescott finds Noah Brown who is rocked by Neal. Next play, Schultz catches a touchdown pass over Walker, who had decent coverage. The two-point conversion goes wide to Elliott, but slowed by Kazee and stopped by Davison.
With just under 5 to play, Falcons 39/Cowboys 30.
Starting at the 25 again, Ryan hands to Gurley who goes to the right for 6 yards and stays in bounds. Dallas takes their first time out. Another Gurley run for a first down. Dallas challenges the spot of the ball. The loose the challenge and a time out. First and 10 from the 35, Ryan hands to Gurley who is stopped behind the line for a 3-yard loss. On the 2nd down, the first sack of the game comes by Everson Griffen, forcing a 3rd and 18. Zaccheaus makes the catch, but only 10 yards, so a punt is forced.
Hofrichter punts 42 yards, Lamb brings it up for 3 hard yards. Cooper gets a first down catch along the sideline. Prescott dumps it off to Elliott who is held in bounds by Terrell. Prescott throws toward Cooper and Denard nearly gets the interception. On 3rd and 7, Prescott is in the shotgun and over the middle finds Brown for a huge gain, but a blindside block on Neal moves them back 15 yards. Prescott passes to Lamb at the 5-yard line for a 35-yard gain. First and goal at the 5, Dan Quinn throws the challenge flag for the completed catch. Lamb caught the ball as he was falling near the sideline. The call stands and Elliott takes the next handoff for 4 yards to the 1.
After the 2-minute warning, Prescott goes to Gallup in the corner of the end zone, where Oliver is called for PI. The ball is at the one-yard line and a first down. Prescott throws too low for the sliding Lamb in the end zone. Second down, up the middle for Prescott for the touchdown.
With 1:49 to go in the game, this is now a 2-point game. Falcons 39/Cowboys 37.
Everyone lines up for the onsides kick, when the Falcons call their final timeout. Dallas has already used all of theirs. The Cowboys recover the onsides kick. The Falcons didn’t move toward the ball, apparently confused on the rules when coming to you vs. from you.
The first pass toward Gallup is out of bounds. Denard falls down and Lamb is wide open to catch the ball and is already in field goal range. They hand off to Elliott for 2 yards, then no yards. On 3rd down, Prescott downs the ball to stop the clock.
With 32 seconds left, the field goal team comes on the field for a 46-yard field goal to win the game.
Atlanta Falcons lose to the Dallas Cowboys 39 to 40.
There is nothing more Atlanta than
the way the Sunday Night Football game went down against
Philadelphia.
With 2:10 left, and down by 3, the
Falcons are near midfield with a 4th and 3. Quarterback MattRyan falls back and throws to Julio Jones for the 54-yard game
winning touchdown.
Naturally, the Eagles have too much
time left on the clock, drive back down, until 2nd year
Cornerback Isaiah Oliver makes the tackle of the game, keeping Zach
Ertz from gaining the needed yardage on fourth down. After a review,
it is confirmed that Ertz did not gain the yards needed and Mercedes Benz
Stadium was the second loudest it has ever been….the first loudest was
moments early during the Julio 54-yard run.
There was a yard that each fan saw
Julio reach when that fan knew he could not be stopped. For MohammadSanu, it was as soon as he had his guy out of the way and saw JakeMatthews flatten another defender. As we all know, no one can
catch Julio if they are not already next to Julio. Possibly the fastest
to him was actually CalvinRidley who joined him from across the
field to celebrate in the tunnel that Julio had run into. When you are
going 20.7 MPH, it is hard to stop, even in the end zone.
With this touchdown, Ryan threw the
300th touchdown of his career, while Julio became the all-time
leading receiver, surpassing his big brother, mentor, and friend, RoddyWhite.
Julio finished the day with 10,868 receiving yards, with Roddy wrapping his
career in 2015 with a total of 10,863. Of course, Julio had no clue, but
when asked after the game, Julio said he was “Honored to be mixing it up with
him.”
Calvin Ridley Making the Catch with Defenders Closing
Julio was also asked about being
double covered so often, and he replied that he was just “Trying to play each
play at a time, because that means Sanu, CalvinRidley, Justin
Hardy are out there 1 on 1.” Note that Julio was being double covered
when Calvin Ridley hauled in his touchdown.
While the end of the game was action
packed and exciting, the real story, to me, was the redemption of
the team as a whole and many individual players. After the ugly Minnesota
loss, fans and experts alike were picking apart numerous players for looking
unprepared and definitely not playing up to their potential. Almost every
one of those players not only played better, but really stepped up and had
significant contributions against a tough Philadelphia team. Most, redeemed themselves.
TakkMcKinley was in the right spot all night, had 2 tackles, both for loss, 2 quarterback hits, lots of pressure and energy. VicBeasley was in the backfield all day with near sacks, 3 quarterback hits and an actual sack. De’VondreCampbell had 8 tackles and great movement all game. DesmondTrufant was finally back looking like the Tru of old, hauling in 2 interceptions, one returned for 10 yards and 3 passes defended, 1 of his 2 pass break ups forced an early punt for the Eagles. Trufant credited the corner’s successful day with the defensive line play.
Takk & Grady Converge on Wentz
Overall, the defense had 10
quarterback hits, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions. The defense
did not allow anyone outside this week.
They may have allowed receptions, but all receivers knew they were
stopped immediately with this physical Falcon D. Note that many Eagles did not practice yet
this week due to bumps and bruises. The
D had big stops on 3rd and goal and a 4th and goal,
included a monster hit by RicardoAllen on Nelson Agholorin
the end zone to dislodge the touchdown pass.
Naturally, Rico read that one all the way and told Kendall Sheffield
to push the WR to him because he had jumped the seem earlier and knew CarsonWentz would try to take advantage.
Keanu Neal led the team in tackles with 9, followed by Campbell,
then Damontae Kazee that really stepped up this week, tallying 8
tackles, but was much more affective this week, mostly because of the catch up
the Falcons played last week.
In the first quarter, Grady
Jarrett’s sack forced the Eagles’ first field goal vs. allowing the Eagles
to continue to drive for a possible touchdown.
Grady played even better than game 1 and had a special salute to his Mom,
that was in attendance, just days after surgery. She wasn’t going to miss a Grady game. Grady finished with 5 tackles, 1 for loss,
and 2 quarterback hits.
The offensive line only allowed 1
sack and 6 quarterback hits while Ryan dropped back 34 times. And the
bulldozer leveling that Matthews did to open the lane for Julio proved he was
redeemed for his opening play sack from the previous week. JamonBrown
had a solid day at right guard, in for the injured rookie ChrisLindstrom.
On the negative offensive side, Ryan
had another 3 interceptions. A bad pass to Sanu, who was triple covered,
another bad decision into the end zone – which stopped a touchdown, and when
Julio was in cover zero, but the pass was still picked off. All bad
throws/decisions on Ryan’s part. Julio did have a WWE like tackle on the Ronald
Darby INT, so, there is that.
Also not redeeming or even helping
the justification for being on the team vs. other TE’s that were traded….Luke
Stocker tried to leap over a defender (ala Austin Hooper) which led
to no more yards gained, but a fumble. Naturally, Sanu was right there
and saw the ball come out and instantly jumped on it, saving what could have
been a disastrous turnover in the Falcons’ territory.
In the toughness category, rookie
starter KalebMcGary went out with a knee issue, was actually helped
off the field. Ryan was shoved into him/rolled up on his leg and Ryan
commented later, “I feel bad, I thought I hurt him.” Meanwhile, TySambrailo came in and was a solid back up for McGary. After
being evaluated, McGary told coaches that he was going back in, his team was
depending on him and he was ok and needed to be out there with his
brothers.
Freeman Preparing to Block then Receive the Shovel Pass
While the numbers are not overly
impressive for the running game this week, it was actually a successful week on
the ground, gaining necessary yards at crucial times. DevontaFreeman
had 11 runs for 22 yards, one being a long 9-yarder, and several for loss when
the O Line wasn’t so good. ItoSmith had 4 carries for 32
yards, one was a 28-yard break out that was nearly a touchdown. Often
overlooked, Free had 3 receptions (which often look like runs – shovel passes)
for 42 yards, a 28 of his own that was nearly a touchdown, and Ito caught 2
passes for 13 yards. The Eagles using Cover Zero most of the day,
while appreciated, didn’t make much since, playing Ju, Calvin, or Sanu 1:1 is
never a good plan; leading to Julio’s 2 touchdowns and Calvin’s 1 on the day.
Julio had 5 receptions for 106 yards
and 2 touchdowns, while 2nd year receiver Ridley had 8
receptions for 105 yards. Sanu had 4 receptions for 16 yards, and tight
end Austin Hooper finished with 4 catches for 34 yards, another big 14 yarder
on the day. Stocker was targeted once, caught, then fumbled that one.
Last week, the fourth play of the
game was a blocked punt and the Falcons had 2 failed 2-point conversions.
While the return game was all but non-existent, we did finally got to see MattBryant’s leg, possibly more than we had hoped. MattBosher
pulled a hamstring in warm ups and did punt twice, but did not perform any of
the kick offs in the game. Bryant kicked a successful 50-yarder to give
the Falcons the early lead, but then also handled all of the kickoff duties in
the game. Kicks were good, not touchbacks, but several times, the Special
Teams over pursued and the returner gained more yards than preferred, but
nothing crippling.
On the second half kickoff, rookie Sheffield
forced a fumble that was recovered by SharrodNeasman providing
the Falcons with excellent field position at the Philly 33. Three plays
later, Ryan threw a 4-yard pass to Julio for the touchdown. A definite improvement
from the first week.
In 2 games, the Falcons have
committed 19 penalties, 10 this week. A
couple were questionable, so I will give them 8….either way, still needs to be
cleaned up as several were costly on yardage at the wrong time.
After seeing the play on the field this
Sunday night, not just the fact that the Falcons won, but how they won against
a really good Philadelphia team, I feel better about the season, but hope we do
not start to play to our opponent. We have
seen some insufferable games against some mediocre AFC opponents in recent years.
Injury Report:
Kaleb
McGary – knee issue is being nursed, but
not a deep concern.
Matt
Bosher – groin is being monitored, another
punter has been signed to practice squad to watch throughout the week.
Kenjon Barner – ankle issue is being monitored and did not practice
Wednesday.
Matt Gono – back issue is improving and was limited.
Keanu Neal – groin issue, also limited.
Golden Talon:
Most people would say Trufant with his 2 interceptions, but I would have to say De’Vondre Campbell for his relentlessness, pursuing, 8 tackles and overall awareness of the day. Also, Mohamed Sanu for his receptions, tackle after an interception, and constant blocking for his teammates. Sanu is a leader on the team in so many unsung ways.
Apparently our strategy this year is to not show ANYTHING on offense until the season begins. This game was rough. Julio Jones and Taylor Gabriel made their preseason debut, however neither had a catch in their limited playing time. Both looked excellent in warm ups, so no concern there, but the rest of the O, under Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub did NOT look like our typical offense.
So, let’s talk about the defense. This was a start studded event tonight. The defense caused 5 fumbles and recovered 3 of those. Everyone looked good, the veterans, the rookies, a fierce “see ball, get ball” D for sure.
Atlanta gave Arizona the ball to start. On their third offensive play, Adrian Clayborn punched the ball out and an offensive lineman recovered. Thanks to Ricardo Allen’s pass break ups, two plays later, Arizona had to punt. That, was also not pretty. Andre Roberts dropped the ball, but luckily Terron Ward had his eye on the ball to recover. Or not, since the Falcons came out and with one offensive play, Matt Ryan’s first play, first pass, was aimed at Levine Toilolo, but was tipped and intercepted.
Again, turn to the positive, the Atlanta D stepped up and with the Cardinals closing in on the end zone, Allen had another pass break up in the end zone, then Keanu Neal caused the 2nd fumble of the game which was recovered by Duke Riley. All of that was still early in the first quarter.
Jack & Takk Show – Crawford causes fumble that McKinley recovers. Photo Courtesy of NFL.com
Defensive highlights include the Jack & Takk Show. Takk McKinley and Jack Crawford have buddied up to disrupt play. Takk knocked a ball out early, but the play was called dead, which Dan Quinn challenged, to no avail. Next play, Takk’s pressure on QB Drew Stanton forced him in to the waiting arms of Crawford, which forced a long field goal. Later in the game, Crawford caused a running back fumble, which Takk recovered after running over the blockers like they were not even there. Takk is going to be incredible this season.
As always, Grady Jarrett and Vic Beasley, Jr. were applying great pressure to the quarterback, forcing rushed and errant throws. Deion Jones had 4 tackles in the first quarter alone, while Neal continued his tough hitting style for which he is known. Courtney Upshaw caused the other fumble that Arizona recovered, and late in the 3rd quarter Jalen Collins caused a fumble which CJ Goodwin was able to recover for the Falcons.
While the defense did give up 24 points, these points were against guys that are likely not going to be on the team this time next week. Not solely based on this game, but a number of guys are not helping themselves.
The offensive highlight is now suddenly Matt Sims. On Matt Schaub’s first play of the game, he had a fumble that Arizona recovered and lead to their 2nd touchdown – on a short field. Sims threw the only touchdown for the Falcons and led them to the successful 2-point conversion.
While special teams still looked questionable, not the key Matt’s of course, Matt Bryant making his field goals, and except for one short kick, Matt Bosher was his typical kicking self. At least no big returns were allowed this week.
Wes Schweitzer did get the start at right guard, however Ben Garland and he split the time evenly and remains “too close to call” per DQ.
Couple of injuries of note. LaRoy Reynolds who started all 3 preseason games at middle linebacker went out early with a shoulder injury. Brian Hill, after looking better with the first team than in the first 2 preseason games went out with an ankle.
While I was frustrated and yelled allot, I am not concerned about our offense once the games are for real. And if this defense cannot get you excited, no need to show up at The Benz this year. Remember, this is just preseason, a test for players and time for others to get into some rhythm.
Safety Jessie Bates on 10.27.24
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