Tag: Kirk Cousins

Blessings Are Key for the 2024 Atlanta Falcons Draft Class

Allison Smith – May 16, 2024

Another awesome interview by the voice of the Atlanta Falcons, Dave Archer. Today, Arch had the first three draft picks of the 2024 draft with him. Talk about some impressive young men. After the interview was over, I texted a friend, “I am fully on the Super Bowl train again.”

Archer introduced the guys and asked a few questions before asking fan submitted questions.

Asked about being drafted to Atlanta, Michael Penix, Jr. from the University of Washington called out that being drafted into the NFL in general is amazing, he grew up wanting to play in the NFL and here he is. He’s very excited to be in Atlanta.

Clemson Defensive Tackle, Ruke Orhorhoro noted that his is very familiar with Atlanta and is happy to not have to move far and learn a new place. He is ready to “put my big boy pants on” and get to working.

Bralen Trice, also from the University of Washington is ecstatic to come to Atlanta.

Asked how he will handle pressure on the field and relationship with quarterback Kirk Cousins:

Penix said that he doesn’t feel pressure any more. He played in the National Championship game and felt no pressure. It is the game that he loves and played since he was 5 years old.  He prepares himself mentally and physically for everything, then just goes about his business. He is ready for any moment. As for Kirk, he is planning to lead the team to win. “I am going to do my part and play my role.” Kirk is a veteran and a professional, there is allot to learn from him.

With a deep defensive line and lots of rotation, how are you feeling about your part:

Ruke is ready to contribute to the culture , excited to bring new energy to the team. With a big smile and energy beaming, Ruke noted that when he steps on the field, his energy level goes up and he cannot wait to get to work on and off the field. He is ready to learn from starting DT’s Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata, then put his own spin on what they teach.

Trice said this may sound corny, but, “I let go and let God.” He knows that God will handle the stress and pressure and Trice just does his job and trusts his teammates to do theirs.

Ruke commented on his style of play. He said it is fast, physical and aggressive. He is always ready to put his nose into stuff, is not scared of anything, and is ready to do the dirty work. He tries to model himself after Kansas City DT Chris Jones, he is tall and good with hands. Jones always sees what he hits. Ruke is preparing to slow down in his head and see the bigger picture.

Trice on preparing to be an aggressive edge rusher. He began by commenting on many edge rushers that just focus on the passing game and are going after the sack count. Trice plans to focus on the rushing game as much as the passing game. He wants to be aggressive and take on any situation. He models himself after the Las Vegas Raiders’ Max Crosby, he is all effort, relentless. Trice had 16 sacks in his last 28 games, sounds like he goes after the passer quite successfully.

Things may change entering the NFL now, but they are already planning how to prepare on game day.

Penix prays, has a favorite gospel song “God’s Got a Blessing,” then kicks other tunes to pump up. Penix’s song ensures that he keeps his head up, through many difficult circumstances over the years, he realizes that there are no excuses, you have to overcome and help the team win.

Ruke starts his time on the field with a prayer, then walks around alone and visualizes everything he did in practice and what he plans to do on the field that day.

Trice has a good prayer the night before. Then on gameday, after meetings and prep, he tries to slip in a 30-minute nap to refresh. We will see if he manages nap time in the busy NFL Sunday.

Asked what it means to have played in front of their families over the years, Trice said that seeing his Mom in the stands nearly makes him tear up. His Mom did allot for him and his siblings and is so happy, that motivates him to be great for her and the people around him and God.

Ruke asked his family not to come his freshman year at Clemson as he did not play and was mad about it. Parents still came, they were just happy to see him in his jersey on the sideline. That gave him inspiration and now gives him extra energy to play.

Penix talked about the many sacrifices his parents made and he has to pay them back, on the field and as a man. He always looks for his parents in the stands and knows that it is a true blessing to be able to play.

Penix is excited to work with Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson and Quarterback Coach TJ Yates. They both have great personalities. Penix loves being in a QB room with coaches that can relate to you, your position and experience of being a rookie in the league. They are going to ensure Penix gets to where he wants to be.

Ruke is excited to play with Jarrett, he noted “it’s crazy, been watching film on him since freshman year and now I to get to soak up the knowledge from him directly.”

Trice played for new Defensive Coordinator Jimmy Lake when Lake was the head coach of U of W. Trice called Lake as soon as he got drafted saying, “Let’s turn it up.” Trice knows Lake’s style of coaching and how he leads a team. Lake knows how to flip the switch, be nasty and get everyone in same mindset.

Having come from the latest national championship contender, Penix said the major change is that this is your job now. In college, you have classes and football, here, football is everything. While you have more time to learn, you need to watch the veterans, they won’t tell or teach you everything, so you have to notice the small things and better your game on your own.

Clemson and U of W have been pumping guys into the league lately and Trice and Ruke have many resources to reach out to for assistance and questions. Clemson being D Line U, Ruke reached out to former teammates like Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins who are always willing to provide advice, no question is a dumb question and Ruke has appreciated that.

Although everyone’s time in Atlanta has been limited, mostly at Flowery Branch, Trice noted that the folks around are always so nice and welcoming and trying to have conversations vs. many places, people don’t even look up to speak. Ruke is very familiar and knows the lay of the land and is planning to take the guys to all the good restaurants, “I like to eat” he says with a big smile.

If they could be as good at another sport as they are at football, Penix would be a golfer. He just started playing recently and isn’t that good, but gets really happy when he gets the ball on the green. It is a good sport that you can play for a long time. Ruke said he is already good at basketball, so he would do baseball, that is where the big bank is. Trice played tennis for 6 years and was pretty good, so he would continue tennis. It provides lots of cardio and movement and is addicting when you are good at it. Arch is concerned about starign Trice down across the tennis net, but is excited to tell Penix about all the great local golf courses.

And finally, the big question….what is your WHY?

Penix has two younger brothers and they have been looking up to him from a very young age. He noticed at 14, his brothers would come home from school talking about what their friends had said about him. He realized that his brothers were going to copy him, so he needed to be great on the field and a role model off the field. He wanted to show them that you can be strong and overcome adversity. Even though they are spread across the country, he wants to show them, every time he steps on the field, what they can also become, that adversity comes to everybody, but adversity can’t stop you.

Ruke plays for the shear love of the game. He loves every aspect, when your “legs are heavy, drives me to grind harder.” “If love and respect the game, it will love you back.”

Trice does it all for Mom. She set him up for success, sacrificed for him. He wants to take care of her. He loves the game, but first, plays for Mom.

All of the guys are super excited to step into and out of the tunnel for the first time, come onto the field, see the fans, the stadium view. Penix said he is excited to see the fans, run on the field and WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP.

We are with you Penix, we are with you.

#RISEUP #DIRTYBIRDS

FALCONALLEY OWT

2024 Draft Night in Atlanta

Allison Smith, April 29, 2024

As a season ticket owner, we get a free party at the Mercedez Benz Stadium for opening night of the NFL draft nearly every year. This year was a disappointment on several levels. In years past, 4 to 5 photo stations were set up with 3 to 4 legends, 3 to 5 current players and a set of cheerleaders at each station. After an hour or so, another set moved in, so if you timed lines correctly, you could get a ton of pix and have good chats with players. Fans are scattered between all these groups and other photo opportunities, food, bars, games.

This year, only two photo lines were set up. One had Kirk Cousins as the headliner, the other Bijan Robinson. Other current players were in both sections as well, all in pairs. In total, you could obtain pix with 12 players. A few notable names, others I didn’t even know where on the team (no slander intended). The lines were super long because there were only two.

  • Kirk Cousins and Jovaughn Gwyn
  • Ta’Quon Graham & Zach Harrison
  • Micah Abernathy & David Onyemata

I went through the Cousins’ line, that was really a good option since he is the newest big name, QB1 and all. I met Bijan at camp, otherwise would have made it through that line as well. Again, in past years, there were legends from a variety of years as well as the last draft class with others mixed in. The pictures moved a little quicker this year because they had photographers taking your pix instead of you handing your phone over and back, then you checked in to have a link texted to you to receive your pictures.

Everyone was super nice and gracious. Kirko was all smiles, I really felt bad for him later. Likely he was still driving home when they called to tell him they were about to “pick a QB at 8…..but he is still number one.”

The roof started closed, but was opened at some point during the night. It was a perfect night for an open roof and always fascinates me that it opens or closes without any of us even knowing. Despite the draft party disappointment, we still have the best stadium in the league.

There was also less photo options around. The RISE UP sign was there as well as the Red helmet, but no wings or other opportunities. The letters were so spread out, you would never get a single, clean picture there. Freddie and Lil Fred were there, social as always. There were several corn hole games, lots of beer vendors and high top tables on the field. This year, over half the field was covered with panels making it easier to walk, so that was nice. Locker room tours were also available, very long line all night, so no sure if they were limiting numbers or scheduling time, but I’ve been through there so many times since before the stadium even officially opened.

I did have a fun time visiting with Falcon friends that I only see on game days for a few minutes because we all come from somewhere different and are headed to different seating locations or different events inside. The food and drink lines in the Delta club were not horrible, long, but didn’t seem as bad as previous years. They anticipated 8000-10,000, not sure how many attended, but seems like allot of people were everywhere all the time.

Carl Dukes and Mike Bell were wrapping up their pre-draft coverage and regular programming as the night kicked off. Then Dave Archer, Wes Durham, Beau Morgan, and Mike Conti provided draft coverage from one of the field suites for 92.9 The Game. Got to chat with all of them for a short time, so that was a definite plus to the evening. Not living in Georgia, I don’t have access to all these guys regularly or at local remotes, so excited when I do get a few minutes to chat and not just tweet them during the day.

There was music and draft coverage on the halo board, couldn’t hear well, but could see as each team as they made their picks. Music was cut for the Falcons’ pic, maybe should have kept that going to muffle the reaction and language from much of the attendees with a quarterback was taken at 8. Only Ovie Mughelli thought the Falcons were going with Michael Penix, Jr with their first pick of this 2024 draft. Ovie and John Abraham were in attendance and helped kick off the event from the stage.

Now….to the pick.  First, I have NOTHING against Michael Penix, Jr. From everything I have seen and heard so far, seems like a great guy, great work ethic, one of the best quarterbacks coming out this season. And another 6 year college guy. He has a longer story than most, with the COVID years, changing colleges, recovering from injury. Penix had 2 healthy, solid years at Washington, winning 20+ accolades and leading the Huskies to the National Championship game for the 2023 season. From an interview with 92.9’s Dukes and Bell, Penix talked about returning for a second year to Washington to show he was healthy by having that 2nd healthy college year. Sounds like he has quite an arm and is known for his accuracy. From that same interview, seemed very excited to be coming to Atlanta and learning under such an experienced Kirk Cousins.

With all of that said, several days later, I can semi get behind the selection, but when it happened, the entire stadium was rocked and mad and upset and all the things. I literally just met some new folks and we were talking about needs and I said “I don’t watch enough college to know all the names, but I am going to be really angry if we pick a quarterback, offensive lineman or receiver at 8.” So when it happened, of the 5 people I was standing with, 2 said words I won’t repeat here and walked off. The other 3 and I raged at each other in disbelief and confusion mixed together.

Later, we will find out that General Manager Terry Fontenot and Head Coach Raheem Morris decided that we will not be in this position again for years (with such a high pick) so we needed to draft the quarterback of the future now.  Even if “he sites for 3 to 5 years.” WHAT? With all the needs we have, we are going to waste that high of a pick on someone that is not planned to be contributing for 3 or more years? The recent deal with Cousins is $100 million over the first two years, $90 million of that guaranteed. Then you are going to draft and pay Penix another $22.8 million over his first 4 years…..when he MAY NOT PLAY. I get the “plan” is to be winning so much with Cousins that Penix learns from a legit quarterback, but he will be 24 this May, so he could be late 20’s before he ever actually plays?

If all goes as Terry and Ra think, I am all in. I am concerned about money, now and in the future, but smarter minds than mine manages more money than I do, so I am trying to have the faith I originally had with Raheem was named head coach.

I don’t know how you are going to evaluate a player’s ability in 3+ years with him as the practice QB, but hopefully we will have such good leads over the next several years, Penix will get good playing time to stay in playing shape while waiting to get the start. I know that we needed another quarterback to back up Cousins, run practice/drills and be ready for the future. I guess that Terry was too traumatized from the Marcus Mariotta/Desmond Ridder failed test that we didn’t want to grow a guy from farther down in the draft.

As I wrap here, I will go glass half full. I’ve had several days to calm down, lots of radio talking me off the ledge, and watched several interviews with Penix. The last time that Atlanta had a quarterback from Washington, Chris Chandler took us to our first Super Bowl.

Football is back!

In Ra We Trust

#RISEUP #DIRTYBIRDS

FalconAlley OWT

New Coach, New Result for Atlanta Falcons

October 18, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons 40 at Minnesota Vikings 23

The Atlanta Falcons are in their all white uniforms today in Minnesota.  Julio Jones is back from his hamstring injury.  Inactives include Takk McKinley and Jaylinn Hawkins due to injury, and Jordan Miller, Qadree Ollison, and John Wetzel. Note that John Cominsky and Marlon Davidson are on the COVID reserve list. 

“Interim” Head Coach Raheem Morris makes his debut today leading the Atlanta Falcons into Minnesota. Morris made a few staffing changes after being named the HC of the Falcons and will not continue his Defensive Coordinator role.

Younghoe Koo kicks off to start the game with a return to the 24. 

Kirk Cousins fakes the handoff and throws to…..DEION JONES.  After a 17-yard return, the Falcons offense will take the field at the Minnesota 29.

A handoff to Todd Gurley for 9 yards to start, then Gurley gets the first down on the next play. From the 19, Matt Ryan tosses back to Gurley, who is stopped by Cam Dantzler for a 4-yard loss.  On 2nd down, Ryan looks down the field but tosses to Gurley for a 3-yard gain, still 11 yards to go for the first down. Ryan finds an open Julio Jones in the end zone for a quick score. 

With 12:02 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 7/0.

Koo to kickoff again, a big return across the 25. 

Cousins is under center, fakes the handoff, is nearly sacked, but dumps it to Justin Jefferson who is stopped, hard, behind the line by AJ Terrell. On 2nd and 12, it is a handoff by Alexander Mattison who is stopped after 7 yards.  Terrell makes the stop again forcing the 4th down. 

The Falcons begin on their own 14, with another handoff to Gurley for a 6-yard gain. On 2nd and 4, Ryan from the shotgun, confuses Gurley who is called for a false start.  He leaves the field and on 2nd and 9, Ryan is pressured, finds Jones short, who turns the gain into a 23-yard gain.  Russell Gage and Jake Matthews opening up a hole for Jones on the left side.  Next, Calvin Ridley gains 8 yards as a running back along the left side.  Near midfield, on 2nd and 2, Ryan hands to Gurley who is stuffed in the backfield again.  On 3rd and 3, Ryan drops back and finds Hayden Hurst across midfield for an 8-yard gain and first down.  A play fake yields an incomplete pass by Ryan.  Ryan changes the play at the line, then scrambles and runs for 5 yards along the right sideline.  On 3rd and 5, Gurley forces through for 4 yards.  The offense stays on the field for a 4th and 1 at the 33.  Gurley goes straight ahead for several yards and another first down.  A short pass to a sliding Ridley for 5 yards.  Under center, Ryan changes the play several times, then tosses back to Brian Hill for no gain.  On 3rd and 7, Hill gains a single yard and the Falcons are forced to kick a 50-yard field goal. 

With 3:12 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 10/0.

Mattison gets the first call of this series where he meets Keanu Neal for a massive hit and 3-yard loss.  Cousins passes to Mattison near the line of scrimmage and the Vikings have a 3rd and 9.  Cousin drops back, under pressure throws short of the receiver with D Jones in coverage and the ball falls incomplete.  Terrell’s tight coverage down the field closes off that option.  The Vikings punt to Brandon Powell.

From the 45, Ryan rolls right and finds Russell Gage for a 19-yard reception.  Another play action pass to Keith Smith for a 3-yard gain.  On 2nd and 7, Ryan, from the shotgun, hands to Hill who has a good run, but the ball comes flying out and is recovered by the Vikings.

The Vikings take over at their own 24.  Cousins fakes and throws long to wide open Irv Smith with Neal in coverage.  A 36-yard reception to end the quarter.

The end of the first quarter has Minnesota driving, but still down 10/0.

Mattison gains a single yard to start quarter.  Cousins hits Kyle Rudolph for a 19-yard gain, to the Falcons 20.  Cousins finds Jefferson near the end zone for a first down.  From the 3 1/2, Mattison gets the ball and meets Foye Oluokun quickly at the line.  On 2nd down, back to Mattison up the middle where he is stopped by the defense at the 1.  Cousin fakes to Mike Boone, a pass to Smith and Jones knocks the ball out at the goal line.  On 4th down, a quick snap goes to Boone and Dante Fowler sniffs it out and slows him down, while Neal and Grady Jarrett make the stop. 

You Shall Not Pass….Keanu Neal and Grady Jarrett stop Mike Boone at the goal line on 4th down. Photo Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Starting on their own 2, Gurley moves the Falcons out to the 5.  Gurley gets a first down on the next run, along the right side.  Gurley gets the toss play and steps out of bounds for a 3-yard loss.  On 2nd and 13, Ryan throws the ball short to Gurley.  The flag on the play is for a personal foul for a player lowering his head, so a freebie first down and move out to the 30.  On first down, Ryan fakes to Ito Smith and finds Ridley who spins his way near midfield.  Ridley makes a cut and change of direction before the catch to completely get open from the defender.  Ryan scrambles around after a fake to Smith, then falls down to end the play.  On 2nd and 14, Ryan is sacked.  Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary are blown through for the sack.  Third and 17, Ryan is under great pressure and throws into the dirt. 

Sterling Hofrichter punts to the 15-yard line. 

Rookie AJ Terrell Makes Remarkable and His First Interception of the Season – Photo Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Cousins hands to Mattison who finds room along the left side for a 16-yard gain.  Cousins cannot find anyone downfield, he runs toward the sideline, getting knocked by Neal as he lets go of the ball.  Next is another handoff to Mattison for a short gain. On 3rd and 9, Cousins finds AJ TERRELL, for his first INT of his rookie season.  A low ball, Terrell left his guy, caught the ball between his legs, rolled up to maintain possession.  Falcons ball at the 40.

With 5:46 to go to the half, Ryan hands to Gurley for a couple of yards.  Ridley makes the short reception, makes a man miss, twirls and makes another first down as he heads out of bounds.  Seeing something he didn’t like, Ryan calls a time out.  From the 24, Ryan finds Ridley at the first down marker, but had to come back to escape a tackle and ended with a 9-yard gain.  From the Vikings 15, Ryan hands to Gurley who is dropped in the backfield for a loss.  Keith Smith let the defender by.  From the shotgun, Ryan finds Jones who gets the first down, right at the marker.  Ryan finds Jones on the sideline for a quick 5 yards.

After the 2-minute warning, Ryan finds Ridley at the 7, who then zooms in for the touchdown!

Koo’s successful extra point extends the Falcons lead just under 2 minutes til half time to 17/0.

Cousins scrambles and finally finds Adam Thielen for a first down.  Rudolph makes the next reception for 9-yard gain.  Then a quick rush for a first down to the left, stopped by Oluokun at midfield.  From the shotgun, Cousins reception is complete, but the play is negated by an offsides penalty.  1st and 5, Cousins finds….FOYE OLUOKUN this time.  With Jarrett inches away from the sack, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner tips the ball that falls into Oluokun’s hands. 

At midfield, Ryan finds Hill along the sideline for a 3-yard gain.  Ryan’s ball is deflected by the defender draping Jones, but the ball falls incomplete.  On 3rd and 7, Ryan finds Gage, who leaps over defenders to gain another few yards.  Gage makes the next reception and runs out of bounds after another 4-yard gain.  Hill gains 3 yards before the Falcons call a time out.  On 3rd and 3, Ryan finds Ito Smith 2-yards away, who then turns it into a 17-yard gain and almost a touchdown.  Ryan throws out of the end zone, then a run by Hill up the middle.  The Falcons take their final time out with 4 seconds to go and Koo adds another 3 on a 21-yard field goal.

With 1 second to go, the Vikings run a play, stopped by Terrell….and the whole Falcons line.

Halftime:  Falcons 20 Vikings 0.

Powell takes the ball out of the end zone, loses the ball, but rookie Mykal Walker recovers the fumble.  Ryan starts at the 16 with a change of play and move into the shotgun.  He finds Olamide Zaccheaus upfield, who cannot hold on due to a hard hit by the defender.  Ryan fakes to Ito Smith, then finds Ridley near the sideline for 7 yards.  On 3rd and 3, Ryan finds Gage at midfield for a big 27-yard gain.  At the 50, Ryan drops back and throws across the field toward Ridley, but too short.  On 2nd down, Ryan finds Jones for a 5-yard reception, Jones forces 2 more.  On 3rd and 3, Ryan throws over the middle to Hurst, who makes the first down, but then takes a seat on the field after being flipped over.  Fake the toss and Ryan throws across the field to Powell for no gain….but there is a flag on the defense, moving the Falcons up and another first down.  From the 32, Gurley runs for 4 yards to the right.  Changing the play at the line again, Ryan is pressured and throws way out of bounds over Ridley.  A third and six is thrown out of bounds, out of the reach of Christian Blake.  Koo kicks a 47-yard field goal.

With 10:45 to go in the 3rd, Falcons lead 23/0.

The Vikings throw to Jefferson for a 35-yard gain with Kendall Sheffield in coverage, just a couple steps too far away.  Cousins finds wide open Rudolph for a 9-yard gain, with an illegal hands to face by Atlanta, which is accepted for a 1st and 5.  Mattison tries to go up the middle, but Jones is there to stop for an 11 yard loss.  The reception is made for a short gain, but Walker is there for a big tackle immediately.  The offense is called for holding, which back them up farther.  On 2nd and 24, the Vikings at midfield, Cousins hits Jefferson for 19 yards.  On 3rd and 5, Cousins finds Jefferson along the sideline with tight coverage by Sheffield.  From the 22, Cousins bootlegs out, is rocked by Jones as he releases the ball that goes out of the back of the end zone.  On 2nd down, Cousins drops back, throws up to Boone who is dropped at the 16 by Isaiah Oliver.  On 3rd and 4, Cousins throws out of the end zone again.  The Vikings offense lines up on 4th down.  Cousins finds Smith over the middle, at the first down marker.  Tackled by Jones.  From the Falcons 11, Cousins rifles one to Jefferson that Terrell takes down, but in the end zone for their first score of the game. 

With 6:25 to go in the 3rd quarter, Falcons still up, 23/7.

Powell brings the kickoff out again, this time maintaining possession and up to the 30-yard line.  Ryan hands to Hill for a 5-yard gain.  Hill again, up the middle for a first down.  Ito Smith goes up the middle for 4 yards.  On 2nd and 6, Ryan fakes to Ito Smith and finds Jones along the sideline for 7 yards.  Gurley in for the play fake, but nothing is open so Ryan throws it at his feet.  On 2nd and 10, Ryan pumps then runs for an 8-yard run.  Gurley gets the call, but is stopped behind the line. 

Julio Jones – You Can’t Touch This, Photo Courtesy of Cato Cataldo/Atlanta Falcons

On 4th and 3 at the 40, Ryan takes the high snap, scrambles ands starts to run, then comes back behind the line of scrimmage, finds Jones at the 29.  Jones stiff arms the defender, then runs along the sideline for the touchdown.  In the end zone, for the 2nd time today, salutes the Atlanta Braves with the “Mix it up” sign.

With 2:01 to go in the 3rd, the Falcons extend their lead 30/7.

From their 20, Cousins drops back, but is met by Allen Bailey for a 10-yard loss and sack with Jarrett right behind him.  On 2nd and 20, Cousins can’t find Mattison as he was tightly covered by Oluokun.  On 3rd and 20 from the 15, Cousins finds Jefferson at the 25, but stopping him there are Oluokun and Oliver.  Another punt and no return.

Ryan hands off to Gurley for a 2-yard game before the quarter ends.

Fourth quarter begins with the Falcons driving and leading 30/7.

On 2nd and 8 from their own 30, Ryan hands to Gurley for another 4 yards.  Ryan finds Gurley short of the first down marker, but Gurley turns it into a 14-yard gain and first down.  Near midfield, Ryan hands to Gurley again for a couple yard gain. Another 6 yards for Gurley, forcing a 3rd and 1.  From the backfield, Gurley gets the handoff but stopped way behind the line for a loss of 2 yards.  On 4th and 3, Hofrichter comes on to punt, but there is a false start by Tuioti-Mariner, moving the Falcons back to 4th and 8.  The punt goes to the 25. 

Cousins is hit by Bailey as he throws out of bounds.  Fowler was coming behind him as well.  Mattison is knocked down by Bailey as he goes up the middle.  On 3rd and 6, Cousins has his pass batted down by Oliver, out of the hands of the receiver.  Another Vikings punt taken by Powell at the 21 and returned to the 33.

Ryan opens it up and finds Jones for a 31-yard gain.  One on one Dantzler and Jones – Jones always winning that one.  Hill gets the handoff, but cannot gain any yards behind the left side.  Ryan drops back and finds Hurst for 8 yards along the sideline.  On 3rd and 2, Ryan is in the shotgun and hands to Gurley who finds the first down up the middle of the line.  Zaccheaus is headed downfield while Ryan is throwing short for an incompletion.  Blake is in motion and makes the reception for 5 yards.  On 3rd and 5, after some scrambling, Ryan is sacked.  The Falcons kick another field goal of 43 yards.

With 7:16 to go in the game, the Falcons extend their lead 33/7.

After the kickoff, the Vikings start at their own 25.  Cousins finds Jefferson who is in the arms of the Oliver, but gains the 17-yard first down.  Cousins finds Johnson, but a flag on the play by Sheffield moves the ball up and a first down.  Amir Abdullah makes the reception, but falls just past the line of scrimmage.  On 2nd and 9, Cousins hits Smith for a 2 yard gain, stopped by Neal.  Then, Thielen makes a 35-yard reception as he was blanketed by Terrell. From the 15, Cousins finds Beebe who is WWE slammed down by Jones.  From the 6, Cousins throws to Rudolph just inside the end zone, but the ball hits the ground first.  Abdullah gets the first down up the middle.  From the 2, Cousins finds Thielen in the middle of the end zone for the touchdown, escaping the coverage of Jones.  In for the 2-point conversion, Smith easily runs through the left side.

With 3:58 to go in the game, the Falcons lead 33/15. The onsides kick goes directly to Deion Jones and the Falcons take over the ball as the Minnesota 44.  Ryan gives to Hill, who is stopped near the line, but then drags tacklers for a 9-yard gain.  Hill gets no yards on the next attempt.  On the 3rd and 1, Hill gets the call again along the left side and doesn’t gain the first down.  Minnesota takes a time out.  On 4th down, a fake to Hill, Hurst is wide open on the left sideline at the 30, with Zaccheaus taking on 3 defenders to keep him open. Hurst in for the touchdown.

Uncovered Hayden Hurst in for the 30-Yard Touchdown – Photo Courtesy of Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons

Beginning on their own 22, Cousins connects with Rudolph for a 19-yard gain, in the arms of Neal.

2:00 Warning: Falcons 33 Vikings 15 at their own 39. On first down, Cousins drops back, up to Smith across the 50 for a 13-yard gain.  Jefferson escapes Sheffield for the 49-yard touchdown.  They add the 2-point conversion.

With 1:26 to go in the game, the Falcons lead 40/23.

Another onsides kick, this time, similar to the INT’s to the Falcons, 2nd onsides kick goes to AJ Terrell.

From the 49, Ito Smith goes 4 yards.  Ryan takes a knee and the clock runs out…..with a Falcons WIN.

#RISEUP

Falcon Alley OWT