Hayden Hurst – FalconAlley Football

Atlanta Falcons With A Bloody Good Win in England

From Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

New York Jets 20 at Atlanta Falcons 27

The New York Jets won the coin toss and allowed the Atlanta Falcons to receive the ball to start the game.

From the 25, Mike Davis in the backfield, fake, Matt Ryan passes to Kyle Pitts behind the line of scrimmage. On 2^nd down, Davis goes for the first down. From the 35, Olamide Zaccheaus goes in motion, Davis up the middle for a yard. On 2^nd and 9, Ryan from the shotgun, fake to Davis with a good block, down the field deep the Hayden Hurst who was double covered, but ball was overthrown incomplete. On 3^rd and 9, Ryan in the shotgun with Davis next to him, he throws toward Tajae Sharpe and is nailed as he releases, gets a roughing the passer penalty and automatic first down.

Falcons at midfield now, Ryan under center and hands to Cordarrelle Patterson who goes for 6 yards along the left side – behind a big block by Keith Smith. On 2^nd and 4, Ryan play fakes on the slant, throws to Sharpe but the ball is knocked out by the defender. Ryan finds TE Lee Smith for 3 yards. On 4^th and 1 at the 40, Patterson gets the call, makes a stutter step and goes over 10 yards. Next play is a handoff to Patterson who passes the ball out of bounds….no receiver in place. As time runs down, Ryan calls a time out.

Patterson is in the blue tent – concussion protocol. This could be huge if he does not return.

After a quick first down pass to Pitts for 16 yards, Davis goes for a single yard, now on 2^nd and 9 from the 11, Ryan throws low to Pitts, incomplete. On 3^rd and 9 at the 11, Ryan from the shotgun, Davis next to him, TEs off to the right, Ryan passes up to Davis who cannot get back to the line of scrimmage. Younghoe Koo in for the successful field goal.

First play is a run up the middle for 5 yards. On 2^nd and 5, a play fake from Zach Wilson, then he has to run to the far right, AJ Terrell takes him down before he can even get out of bounds. On 3^rd and 2, high snap, Wilson batts it back to himself, then passes the ball incomplete to the receiver in tight coverage – also had an illegal shift by the Jets, so it is now 4^th and 2. The Jets punt to Zaccheaus, who is planted by his own TJ Greene and the ball rolls past to the 10.

On first down, Davis is spinning up, there is a chop block called on the Falcons, but the refs realize the defense caused it, so it is 1st and 10 from the 16. Ryan drops back and screen to Davis falls to the ground. On 2^nd and 10, Patterson is back and goes an easy 9 yards on the right side. Ryan drops back and finds Sharpe for a big first down at the 40. Next play is a rush by Patterson for no gain. Ryan fake to Patterson, then finds Pitts over the middle for 18 yards. Patterson up the middle for 3 yards. Ryan back under center, Zaccheaus in motion, fake to Paterson, wide open L. Smith for the first down at the 19-yard line. Smith with the crossing route. Next play is to Patterson inside the 5 for the reception and another first down. At the 2, Ryan throws the touchdown pass to Pitts, for his first NFL touchdown of his rookie season.

Rookie Kyle Pitts with 1st TD of the season photo courtesy of NFL network

Q1 5:16 – Jets 0/Falcons 10

Former Falcon Tevin Coleman receives the kick off and runs it back to the 28, tackled by Koo. First pass falls incomplete with tight coverage by Fabian Moreau. On 2^nd and 10, a handoff Tyler Davison and Grady Jarrett in converge to stop the running back and force a 3^rd and 13. Jets call a time out. Wilson finds the receiver, 3 yards shy of the first down.

Zaccheaustakes the punt up 14 yards to the…. as the first quarter ends.

Davis in the backfield, takes the ball up the middle a couple of yards. Second down, Zaccheaus in motion, Ryan throws to Patterson at the 37 where he is stopped hard. First and ten, Patterson in the backfield, takes the ball up the middle for four yards. To Patterson on the left side at the first down marker. Third and 1 at the 41, Ryan opens up and hits Pitts at the 31. Another roughing the passer penalty is called and auto first down. Now the Falcons offense has the ball at the 17. Patterson rushes along he left side for no gain. Ryan running right, get his pass batted down at the line of scrimmage. Ryan finds Hurst at the 5 who zooms on in for the TOUCHDOWN! Davis with a big block to stop a sack coming fast.

Hayden Hurst With The Touchdown Courtesy of Chris Trotman & Atlanta Falcons

11:01 Jets 0/Falcons 17

Coleman in the end zone and allows the kickoff to go into the back of the end zone. From the 25, Wilson rolls back and throws low and bouncing into the turf, as Terell was coming fast to the receiver. Next play, Wilson throws an interception to Jaylinn Hawkins who came back to the ball and steps in front of the receiver. The ball was behind the receiver who was waiting on the ball, Hawkins sniffed it out and made a good decision and catch.

Jaylinn Hawkins with the Interception courtesy of NFL Network

From the 2 TE, 2-receiver set, Davis is the setback, Ryan has a backfoot throw to Smith at the 27 yard line. Hurst makes the next reception at the 11 for a first down, ball pops loose, the Jets recover the fumble.

Jets take over at the 13 and run up the middle for 2 yards, big stop by Steven Means, Dante Fowler shaken up on the play. Wilson looks left and finds the receiver for the first down at the 28. Michael Carter gets 7 yards until Foye Oluokun makes the stop. Duron Harmon gets a PI away from the play and moves the ball to the 45. Coleman runs 3 yards to the right. On 2nd and 7, Wilson hands off to Coleman who goes 4 yards and across midfield, Richie Grant makes the hard and fast stop. From the shotgun, Wilson hands off to Todd Johnson who zooms through the right side for a first down. From the Falcons’ 42, Wilson fakes the handoff and finds the receiver at the line of scrimmage who is immediately met with Adetokunbo Ogundeji for a big open field tackle. Coverage downfield was perfect and Wilson’s only option. On 2nd and 9, Wilson is chased back to the Jets 41 and has to throw out of bounds. Third down, Wilson finds an open receiver at the 30, stopped by Darren Hall – need tighter coverage to stop that quicker. From the 28, Michael Carter gets the ball and nearly a first down, stopped by Fowler slowing him down and Davison wrapping arms around both players and taking them both down. On 2^nd and 1, Coleman goes up the middle for the first down. Wilson underthrows the next pass and it falls incomplete.

Jets take a time out. On 2^nd and 10 from the Falcons’ 16, Wilson drops back, nearly sacked and hits an offensive lineman in the back with the ball. Wilson drops back, crossing pattern to Davis and is stopped by Moreau for a 3-yard gain. Matt Ammendola comes out for the 31-yard field goal.

Q2 2:14 Jets 3/Falcons 17

Ammendola kicks to Patterson, 5 yards deep in the end zone, gets to the 24. First and 10, Ryan hands to Patterson for 8 yards. After the 2-minute warning, Ryan misses Patterson on the backside, grabbed by the defender, no call. Christian Blake is all alone on the sideline for a Ryan pass, falling down with the reception, but gains the first down. Next pass is up the middle to Davis for another first down. Another run up the middle by Davis. Being chased, Ryan throws the ball away, but nearly intercepted along the sideline. On 3^rd and 6, still at midfield with 50 seconds to go in the half, Pitts misses the ball, gets a PI as the defender was holding on his jersey not allowing Pitts to get to the ball. First and 10 from the 40, Ryan has two off the mark passes to Davis and Blake. On 3^rd and 10, Pitts makes the reception at the 25 forcing the 4^th down. With 3 seconds remaining in the half, Coach calls a time out. Koo makes the 52-yard field goal as time expires.

Half Time – Jets 3/Falcons 20

Short kick, Coleman goes to the Falcons’ 29 – touchdown is stopped by Patterson. Carter takes the ball 7 yards on the left side. On 2^nd and 3, Wilson hands to Carter again, stopped after the first down by Terrell. On the first down, Carter meets Jarrett for no gain. Wilson from the 14, jet sweep and Braxton Berrios is taken down by Jarrett – who comes from the middle of the field to the far left side and makes the stop. Johnson gets the first down and more, down to the 2. The defensive line stands up and refuses to let the runner in, led by Jarrett. On 2^nd and goal, Johnson easily walks in to the end zone. Atlanta stunted to their right while Johnson moves into an open hole on the left. Ammandola misses the extra point.

Q3 10:56 Jets 9/Falcons 20

From the 25, Patterson goes up the middle for 3 yards. Zaccheaus in motion, Ryan lets one fly, Patterson caught it at the 38. Zaccheaus in motion again, Hurst has another reception that pops out. The catch was at the line of scrimmage and rolls out of bounds, so no loss this time. Second and 10, Ryan hits Zaccheausbut he drops the ball for an incompletion. Ryan with the backfoot throw, Zaccheaus cannot hang on again, pressure in Ryan’s face, Zaccheaus up for the high reception, but has the ball knocked out by former Falcon Sharrod Neasman. First punt this season by newly acquired Dustin Colquitt and goes to the Jets 35, for 24 yards.

Side arm to Carter, and the Jets are at midfield instantly, stopped by Jones. Carter stopped after a 1 yard gain by Grant. After an incompletion, Wilson has a short pass to the large TE, Ryan Griffin for 4 yards, Terrell forces the fumble, which is recovered by the Jets, but forces a fourth down and punt. .

Punt from the Falcons 45, Zaccheaus fair catch at the 9.

Ryan hands to Davis who zooms up the right side past the 26-yard line. Another 8-man box, and Davis no gain this time. Ryan fakes the handoff, then tries to hit Davis with the pass, pass is batted down. Third and 10, Ryan in the shotgun, scrambles to the right sideline and finds Sharpe along the sideline for the first down. Sharpe came back to the sideline to help Ryan as he saw him scrambling. Davis with the run on the edge, got 5 yards behind a Kaleb McGary block. Ryan finds an open Sharpe across the middle, spinning through for a 17-yard gain. A handoff to Wayne Gallman gains 3 yards, his first snap of the game. On 2^nd and 8, on a RPO, a fake to Gallman and pass to Blake on the sideline near the first down marker. Another pass to Hurst, who holds onto the ball, tiptoes along the sideline for the first down and more. Davis gets the call, goes for several yards before coughing up the ball for the second Falcons’ fumble of the day.

Wilson hands off to Carter, gets 5 yards. Second down, Wilson from the shotgun, throws behind the line and Crowder got blasted by Moreau who makes the stop 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage, but Moreau is down. Offensive penalty with a loss of down, punting to Zaccheauswho returns to the 31.

First down, Patterson runs along the right side for 4 yards as the 3^rd quarter time expires.

On 2^nd and 6, Zaccheaus makes the reception. Ryan’s 5000^th completion. Davis in the backfield, Ryan under center, Zaccheaus in motion, running handoff to Davis for the first down. Another hand off to Patterson for a single yard. Ryan throws over the middle to Pitts, for the first down across midfield. From the Jets 46, Patterson in the backfield, Ryan hands to Patterson who gains a few yards outside. On 2^nd and 7, Ryan fakes to Patterson who slips, Ryan nearly sacked, keeps scrambling and finds Pitts near the end zone, but Matt Hennessy holds and backs the offense up to 2^nd and 17 from the Falcons 47. A quick pass to Sharpe at the 45 leaving a 3^rd and 9. Ryan, from the shotgun, finds Patterson in the crossing pattern 6 yards short of the first down and Colquitt comes back on the field and plants the ball at the 10.

Wilson drops back and hits the receiver over the middle at the 17 stopped by Jones. From the shotgun, Wilson guns it down field for a huge first down at the 40-yard line, missed by Grant, but the receiver falls and is touched down. Wilson hits the tight end at the 45, flag on the field backing up the offense. Running back blocking Grant and the Jets are 1^st and 20 from their own 30. Wilson hits a wide-open receiver at the 50, Hall makes the stop, but defenders were everywhere having to close in for the tackle. Ball at the Atlanta 43, Wilson under pressure and running for his life, flings it down near the goal line, ball is knocked away by Terrell who is called for PI, giving the Jets the ball at the goal line. From the 2, Wilson hands to Carter who walks in an empty hole to the end zone. The Jets convert on the 2-point conversion.

Q4: Jets 17/Falcons 20

Keith Smith fields the up-kick and gets up to the 25. Davis in the backfield, play fake, Ryan hits Pitts at the Jets’ 36 in double coverage. Thirty-nine yards and a first down. Ryan hands to Patterson who is immediately stopped. On 2^nd and 12, a high pass along the sideline to Pitts, who makes the reception, but only for 4 yards. On 3^rd and 8, single receiver to the left, 3 to the right, Jake Matthews with the false start backing the Falcons up to 3^rd and 13. Ryan finds Zaccheaus at the first down marker and he pushes past the line to gain the first down and 15 yards. Smith in the strong side eye, Zaccheaus in motion, handoff to Patterson who is stopped after a 3-yard gain. Two TE right, Sharpe on the left, Ryan shoots it underneath to Patterson who fights for 5 yards. On 3^rd and 2, Ryan empties the backfield, gets the Jalen Mayfield block and screen and Patterson goes along the left side sideline down to the 9. Davis runs up the middle through the line to the 4. With 2:24 to go, Jets call their first time out.

Davis takes the ball, stutter steps, spins, the offensive line keeps shoving the defense and Davis gets in for the touchdown.

With 2:19 to go in the game, Jets 17/Falcons 27.

The Jets start at their own 25. From the shotgun, Wilson hs a short pass to Davis who heads out of bounds after an 8-yard gain. With 5 in the rush, Ogundeji gets the big sack for a 9-yard loss before the 2-minute warning.

Coming out of the 2-minute warning, from their own 33, it’s 3rd and 11, Cole makes the reception near the 40. Ogundeji almost got to Wilson again. Fowler and Jarrett getting into the backfield forcing quick passes. On 2^nd and 10, another play fake, Wilson throws to Mims at the 44 where Terrell stops him. Wilson looks left and throws left, shoved out of points at the Falcons 34. Next pass falls incomplete. With under a minute left, from the 34, Wilson from the shotgun, flushed to his left and throws out of bounds, Harmon and Hawkins in on the chase. Wilson hits Davis at the 14 and stopped by Oluokun, but Hall had bitten up and opened a hole for Davis. Jets take their 2nd time out.

With 33 seconds remaining, Wilson takes the snap from the 14, ball falls incomplete, with Terrell ready to make the immediate stop. Jacob Tuioti-Mariner got Wilson off his mark, as Wilson runs, he is then sacked at the 32 by Tuioti-Mariner. With 22 seconds and a 3^rd and 27, they get the 49-yard field goal.

Defense Doing Work Photo Courtesy of NFL Network

With 17 seconds remaining in the game, Jets 20/Falcons 27 and expecting the onside kick.

Zaccheaus catches the ball at the 49. Ryan comes out and kneels.

Falcons. Win. Game.

#RiseUp

#FalconAlleyOWT

Cover photo courtesy of Chris Trotman/Atlanta Falcons

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 3^rd 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 2^nd and 8, Hill makes a short reception for a 6-yard gain. On 3^rd 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 3^rd and 13. Then Kaleb McGary has a false start and backs them up even more. On 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 2^nd down, Mahomes fakes to Williams then throws incomplete to Mecole Hardman, covered by Terrell. On 3^rd 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 4^th and 1 and goes up the middle for 11 yards, dragging Jones part of the way. Kelce has a false start and is 1^st and 15 from the Falcons’ 40, Oluokun chasing Mahomes into an errant throw. On 2^nd down, a short pass to Williams goes for 13 yards, stopped by Jones and Sheffield. 3^rd and 2, Williams goes up the middle for a yard, Jarrett on the stop to force the 4^th 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 2^nd down, Hill gets the call for 3 yards. on 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd down from the 7, Mahomes is pressured back 10 yards, has to throw across the field toward Bell, but the ball falls incomplete. On 3^rd 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 2^nd and 19, under pressure, Ryan is sacked again. On 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 2^nd and 12 at the 17, Smith gains no yards. Now, a 3^rd 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 2^nd and 17 from the 22, Ryan is pressured and throws the ball into the ground. Chris Lindstrom gives up the near sack. On 3^rd 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 2^nd down, Mahomes is under pressure from Cominsky and throws incomplete. Before the snap of the ball on 3^rd down, false start on the offense and it is 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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. 1^st 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 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd down, Mahomes rolls out under pressure again, Hardman cannot hold onto the ball. On 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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, 1^st 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 2^nd and 1, Ryan goes to the end zone, Ridley was 5+ yards out. On 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 2^nd and 11, Brandon Powell caught the ball, but was immediately stopped. On 3^rd 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 2^nd down, Ryan hits Hayden Hurst who stretches for the first down, but the refs mark him 1 yard short. On the 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 2^nd and 10, Hill gets buried behind the line of scrimmage and a 5-yard loss. Gurley is back in for the 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 2^nd down, Ryan hands to Hill who goes up the middle for a couple of yards. On 3^rd 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 3^rd and 10, Keith Smith gets the reception and gains 8 yards. On 4^th 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 3^rd and 9, Neasman zips up the middle and sacks Brady for a 9-yard loss. On 4^th 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 3^rd 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 2^nd and 11, Ryan drops back, flushed from the pocket and has to throw it out of the end zone. On 3^rd 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 3^rd, 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 3^rd, 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 3^rd 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 2^nd down, Godwin makes the touchdown reception.

With 3:44 left in the 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd quarter, Falcons 24/Buccaneers 21.

On 2^nd 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 4^th 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd down. On 4^th 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 4^th 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

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 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd and 10, Ryan takes another time out. Then, the Panthers take a time out. Back on 3^rd and 10, Kaleb McGary jumps and moves the Falcons back to the 41. On the 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 2^nd and 14, Jarrett and Terrell converge to stop Davis at the original line of scrimmage. On 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd down. The Panthers go for it on 4^th 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 2^nd and 10, Ryan is sacked. On 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd and 5 at the 46. Bridgewater hits Anderson, short of the first down where Terrell ensures he gains no yards after the catch. On 4^th 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 1^st 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 3^rd 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 4^th down, the Panthers are charged with a delay of game and punt on 4^th and 9. It is a fake, a direct snap to Jeremy Chinn, who gains 28 yards. Davis cuts back for 3 yards. On 2^nd down, the pass is tipped at the line by Charles Harris. On 3^rd 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 3^rd and 7, the pass is high and incomplete. Joey Slye kicks the 39-yard field.

With 2:59 to play in the 3^rd, 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 2^nd 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 2^nd and 10, he finds Anderson for a 5-yard gain where Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Oliver combine for a stop. On 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 1^st 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 Lose As Time Expires

Detroit Lions 23 at Atlanta Falcons 22

October 25, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two Minute Warning.

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

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

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

At half time – Falcons 14, Lions 10.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two Minute Warning.

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

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

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

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

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT