Matt Ryan – 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

Atlanta Falcons Sacked Out in New Orleans

November 22, 2020

Article by Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons 9 at New Orleans Saints 24

The Falcons take on the Saints for the first time of the 2020 season, two weeks removed from their hosting of the Saints in Atlanta.

Inactives for the day, recently added to active roster, Kurt Benkert. Qadree Ollison is back to inactive, along with the still healing Deadrin Senat. Calvin Ridley was questionable, but is active, as is the hamstring hampered Julio Jones.

The New Orleans Saints win the toss and defer the ball. They kick to the Atlanta Falcons.

From the 25, the Falcons begin with a fake to Todd Gurley, then hits Gurley at the 28-yard line. Matt Ryan changes the play at the line, fakes to Gurley again, then finds Calvin Ridley for 42 yards. Ryan finds Olamide Zaccheaus for another first down of 16 yards. Gurley gets the call for a 2-yard run along the right side. From the Saints 14, Ryan throws to Keith Smith for 4 yards. On 3^rd and 4, Ryan cannot connect with Hayden Hurst, who was covered by 3 defenders. Younghoe Koo successfully kicks the field goal and gives the Falcons the lead.

First and 10 from the 21, Taysom Hill passes to Michael Thomas for an 8-yard gain, stopped by Deion Jones. Latavius Murray goes for a yard forcing a 3^rd and 1. Grady Jarrett and Allen Bailey combine for a sack of Hill. The Saints punt to Brandon Powell at the 32.

Before the Falcons snap the ball, Chris Lindstrom has a false start and backs the Falcons up to the 27. On 1^st and 15, Ryan flips it out to Powell who gains 3 yards along the right side. Under a 4-man rush, Ryan finds Russell Gage for 1 yard and is immediately stopped. On 3^rd and 11, Ryan is sacked by Cam Jordan. Sterling Hofrichter punts to the 30-yard line, where the special teams group ensures he gains to yards.

Alvin Kamara gets the ball for a quick 6-yard gain, stopped by Jarrett. On 2^nd down, Deonte Harris gets the ball for a big 24-yard gain around the left side. Keanu Neal finally knocked him out of bounds. Under pressure Hill takes the ball himself and gains 4 yards before sliding to avoid the Neal hit. Kamara goes up the middle for 4 yards up the middle. On 3^rd and 2 Hill throws toward Thomas, but he has been knocked down for Darqueze Dennard. Automatic first down. From the 23, Hill drops back and finds Adam Trautman for the first down, eventually stopped by Foye Oluokun. From the 4, wild cat, Kamara gets the direct snap and gains a few yards. The Saints call a time out. Hill drops back and throws into the end zone, Mykal Walker nearly made the pick. Walker read the play perfectly and got a single hand on the ball. ON 3^rd down, Thomas gets the ball but Dennard hits him immediately at the line of scrimmage. The Saints kick the field goal to tie the game.

At 2:47 to go in the 1^st quarter, Falcons 3/Saints 3.

Ryan scrambles for no gain. On 2^nd and 10, Ryan, from the shotgun, under a blitz, finds Julio Jones for a 17-yards. From the 42, Gurley gets the call, after a stutter step, he finds a 7-yard hole. Gurley is behind the block of Jones. Gurley breaks tackles to cross midfield for the first down. Brian Hill gets the call from the backfield and gains 5 yards along the right side.

End of Q1. Tied at 3.

On 2^nd and 6 from the Saints 41, Ryan cannot find a receiver. On 3^rd and 6, Ryan is pressured and dumps off to Smith. A flag on the Saints for holding moves the Falcons up 5 yards and provides the automatic first down. From the 36, Ryan is in trouble, throws the ball that is tipped at the line. Gurley goes up the middle for 3 yards. Third and 7, another incompletion toward Hurst, under pressure, Ryan throws behind Hurst. Another Koo field goal.

With 13:56 to go in the half, Falcons lead 6/3.

Hill finds Thomas for a 26-yard gain. The biggest play against AJ Terrell this season. Walker is injured on the play. Near midfield, Hill finds Thomas for 9 yards. Kamara gains 6 yards for the first down, then the Saints get a free 5 on a hold in the defense. Hill cannot connect with Thomas on the next play. On 2^nd and 10, Hill has all day, but cannot find an open receiver, Charles Harris tackles him for a 3-yard loss. On 3^rd and 13, Hill throws an incomplete screen to Kamara. Will Lutz hits the goal post on the field goal attempt.

From the 44, Hill goes up the middle for 4 yards. On 2^nd and 6, Ryan changes the play at the line, Powell gets the ball, but the play is called dead on a penalty on Luke Stocker. Ridley makes the 8-yard reception. Ryan is sacked on 3^rd down for a 6-yard loss. Jake Matthews gives up the sack. Hofrichter on for the punt that falls into the end zone.

From the 25, Hill hands off to Murray for 2 yards. Hill’s next pass is incomplete. Hill finds Harris for a yard gain, but is met hard by Terrell. Isaiah Oliver is being tackled by two blockers, giving Terrell the space to make the play.

After the punt, the Falcons begin on their own 30. Ryan flips back to Hill, who cannot find any space along the edge. From the shotgun, the draw to Gurley for 2 yards. On 3^rd down, Gage makes the reception for 11 yards. The next pass is to Gage as well for 17 yards along the sideline. A quick 3-yard gain by Gurley. On 2^nd down, Ryan fakes to Gurley and has the ball knocked out of Christian Blake’s face by the defender. On 3^rd and 7, the Saints call their second time out. Jones has been missing for quite a while and is back on the field. On the 3^rd down, with Jones in the slot, Ryan drops back and has the ball tipped at the line and falls incomplete. Koo kicks a successful 52-yard field goal.

With 4:31 to go in the half, Falcons 9, Saints 3.

The Saints bring the kickoff out of the end zone, but met by the Falcons special teams at the 20. Hill fakes to Kamara, under pressure finds Thomas for 16 yards. Terrell in tight coverage and makes the stop. Kamara gains 7 yards. on 2^nd down, Hill lobs the ball to the 15 where Emmanuel Sanders makes the reception. Sanders rolls, gets back up, then Dennard knocks the ball out and Neal comes up with the fumble. After a booth review, Neal had tapped Sanders while he was down originally. Frist and 10 at the Falcons 13. Kamara takes the direct snap and goes for 2 yards. After a fake handoff, Hill goes along the right side with Jacob Tuioti-Mariner in hot pursuit, making the tackle with Blidi Wreh-Wilson.

Two Minute Warning.

From the Falcons 9, on 3^rd and 6, Hill finds Jared Cook right at the first down marker, stopped at the line by Oluokon and Allen. Atlanta takes a time out, meanwhile, the spot of the stop is under review. The play stands and is a first down at the 3. Hill hands to Kamara who goes in for the touchdown.

With 1:46 until the half, Falcons 9, Saints 10.

From the 25, Ryan drops back and finds Ridley at the 32. Ryan finds Ridley again at the 43 for a first down. Ryan is under pressure and throws near Ridley, incomplete. A flag is thrown on the defense for holding, a first down and 5 yards. From the 48, Ryan drops back and lobs the ball down field for Ridley, but the ball goes out of bounds. Ryan finds Hill over the right side for 2 yards, another defensive hold for another 5 yards and first down. From the Saints 47, Ryan hits Gage for an 8-yard gain. Ryan throws toward Blake, where he is covered/blocked by a defender. The ball falls incomplete. On 3^rd down, Ryan is sacked again by Jordan. The loss knocks the Falcons out of field goal range. The Falcons call a time out with 3 seconds remaining. Ryan throws to the end zone and he is intercepted by Marcus Williams who makes it to the 20-yard line. Hill is called for a horse collar, the Saints are provided 15 yards and a free play. The Saints decline the penalty and go in at half.

Half Time – Falcons 9/Saints 10

The Saints begin on their own 20. Kamara tries to go up the middle, for no gain. Hill draws Steven Means offsides. On 2^nd and 4, Hill rifles the ball to Thomas at the 41. Hill quickly hits Thomas for 9 yards. Kamara gains the first down crossing midfield. From the Falcons 46, Hill finds Murray who breaks tackles and gets down to the 21. Murray goes up the middle for another quick first down. From the 10, Hill has all day, finally runs the ball himself and is knocked out of bounds after 3 yars by Dennard. Hill’s pass is tipped high by Falcons defense. On third down, Thomas makes the reception, but is in the arms of Terrell and stopped there. On 4^th and goal from the 2, the Saints beef up the line, then Hill runs the ball in for a touchdown.

With 9:11 to go in the 3^rd quarter, Falcons 9/Saints 17.

Beginning on the 25, Ryan fakes to Gurley and is sacked. On 2^nd and 17, Ryan throws to Gage for a 4-yard gain. A flag is on Atlanta for illegal formation, but declined. On 3^rd and 13, Ryan has his foot grabbed by a defender and is sacked for the 6^th time today. On the 4^th down punt, there is movement and Hofrichter kicks from the end zone.

The Saints begin on their own 43. Hill drops back and hits Sanders for the touchdown. There was a hold – complete bear hug on an offensive lineman calling the play back and backing the Saints up. On 2^nd and 20 from the 33, Hill hands to Murray who goes up the middle for 7 yards. Hill finds Thomas for a huge 19-yard gain and first down. Immediately stopped by Allen. From the Falcons 41, Kamara gains a yard. Hill is sacked quickly by Jones for an 11-yard loss. Tuioti-Mariner and John Cominsky were closing. Hill connects with Sanders for a short gain and the Saints punt to the 12.

Gurley goes left for a couple of yards, then is stopped at the line. On 3^rd and 7, Ryan’s pass to Gage is knocked out in good coverage by the defender. Another Hofrichter punt from the edge of the end zone.

Saints begin on their own 47. Hill throws out of bounds toward Cook, Oluokun is called for PI. Hill throws the same pass, this time caught by Cook under coverage by Kendall Sheffield. The play is called back due to a hold on the offense. It is first and 20 from the 45. Murray goes 11 yards. Jarrett forcing a quick pass by Hill. Hill finds Sanders for a 6-yard gain.

End of 3^rd quarter, Falcons 9/Saints 17.

Hill runs for the first down. Kamara finds a few yards up the middle. Murray gets the first down up the middle. Jarrett is tackled and taken down from behind, opening the hole for Hill to run for the 20-yard touchdown.

With 12:41 to go in the game, Falcons 9/Saints 24.

Powell brings the kickoff out, rams into his own teammates and is stopped at the 17. Ryan drops back and finds Blake at the 20. An incompletion toward Ridley. On 3^rd and 7, Ryan is sacked again, by Jordan, again. Falcons punt to the 35.

After AJ Terrell Forces a Fumble. Foye Oluokun Recovers

Kamara goes 12 yards before Oluokun makes the stop. Murray goes for 2 yards before meeting Jarrett. On 2^nd and 8, Sanders gains the first down. Murray gains no yards on the next run. Hill makes a big run, Terrell pops the ball out and Oluokun recovers the fumble.

Ito Smith gets the first play after the turnover and goes for 5 yards. Ryan nearly throws an interception on an attempt to Stocker. On 3^rd and 5, Jones is back on the field, Ryan is nearly sacked, but gets the ball out to Gage for the first down. Ryan has back to back passes to Gage knocked incomplete. On 3^rd down…..Ryan….sacked….again. On 4^th and 13 from the 25, Ryan finds Jones at the 50 for a first down. Another pass to Gage is knocked out of his hands. Jones is limping on the sideline and sits down to be looked at again. Hill goes up the middle for 7 yards. Pass to Ridley is picked off at the 36.

With 5 minutes remaining in the game, the Saints continue to run the ball and the Falcons take back to back time outs.

Under a minute to go in the game, the Falcons get the ball back just outside their endzone. The first two passes are to Ridley. Both very contested. The first was a leaping catch of 18 yards, the next an incompletion. The incomplete pass to Gage is reviewed and the incompletion is upheld. Ryan finds Gage on the next play for a 9-yard reception. As time runs out, Blake makes the 15-yard reception.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

Falcons Team Rolls Cowboys

November 15, 2017

Dallas at Atlanta

The defense continues to run on all cylinders and getting hotter. Similar to last year, the later in the season it goes, the better the defense plays. Clearly, the standout for the game was Adrian Clayborn and his 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Clayborn surpassed the great Chuck Smith and legendary Claude Humphrey who both had 5 sacks in a single game. Only Derrick Thomas has more sacks in a game. Claybo was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

111217 Sack — Claybo on Dak – Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons

And the best, not only on the sideline, but in the locker room after the game, Clayborn just looked like he had an average tackling or blocking game. His team, especially the defense was out of control excited for him. Literally jumping on him after his 6^th sack. In Coach Quinn’s locker room recap, he rattled off some stats, said, “Guess that is about it for the day” and the entire locker room started yelling “AC AC AC.” What a truly great brotherhood.

But what about the rest of the defense? Well, second year, fourth rounder, De’Vondre Campbell amassed 11 tackles. Talk about stepping up. Campbell has made great strides all season, covering top tight ends, defending the run, making life hard on quarterbacks.

This was truly a defensive win and Claybo would be the first to say so. This physical unit contributed to Clayborn’s sacks. Desmond Trufant and Campbell were covering and knocking receivers off their marks. Keanu Neal was a huge factor on the run this week. Everyone was sticking to their assignments, forcing Dak Prescott to run and covering so well he was holding the ball too long.

Neal had 5 tackles, while team leader in tackles, Deion Jones only had 4 tackles Sunday. Takk McKinley, Brian Poole, and Brooks Reed had 3 tackles a piece, Takk also had a fumble recovery and Brooks a sack of his own. Dontari Poe also had a sack, and as usual, he and Grady Jarrett were disruptive in the backfield, including causing a few actual called holding penalties. Sean Weatherspoon is back and contributing, while only logging a single tackle on the day, Spoon was running around, looking fast and affective.

Dallas has allowed 10 sacks all season, but they “allowed” 8 in the Benz Nest. Of the 59 defensive plays, 21 went for 0 or negative yards. They had 10 quarterback hits (besides all the sacks). Poe jumped in as the most un-stereotypical fullback.

Then, there is the offensive line. They do not get the same accolades as the defense. Alex Mack, is, well, Alex Mack. No complaints there. Jake Matthews allows, maybe even helps take down Matt Ryan as the Dallas defender rolls up on Ryan’s leg, forcing a third down. Then, after a time out, Ryan Schraeder allows a big sack. This offensive line held up Sunday, actually limited holding calls, but needs to get much better to keep Ryan on the field and healthy and create running lanes for Tevin Coleman, Devonta Freeman, and now Terron Ward. We need to replace a couple of these guys with Dontari Poe and Ben Garland. But that is none of my business.

The offensive stars played well and looked to be in a good (2016) rhythm with Ryan passing to 7 different receivers, two having receiving touchdowns. Taylor Gabriel was actually targeted this week with 3 receptions for 58 yards, and 1 impactful rush of 15 yards. Julio Jones had 6 catches for 57 yards, followed by Austin Hooper with 6 receptions, including back to back catches leading to a touchdown.

111217 Justin Hardy TD — Justin Hardy Touchdown – Photo Credit Atlanta Falcons

Mohamed Sanu had an awesome day blocking downfield and making other plays possible, but also caught 3 balls for 29 yards, and of course had the tip for an interception. Note, Sanu was being tackled for the no call PI, and made the tackle to stop the Dallas defender. Levine Toilolo and Coleman also had a catch a piece, while Justin Hardy had 2 catches, one for a fabulous back of the goal line touchdown. Prior to Sunday, Hardy had 10 catches the whole season.

Devonta Freeman went out after 2 plays with a concussion, which may have fired up the other running backs to compete in his stead. Coleman had 20 rushes for 83 yards and a touchdown, behind Poe and Garland. Ward had 9 rushes for 23 yards and a break out of 17 yards.

The offense was 7 of 11 on third down, most of the non-conversions were late in the game. The Falcons went 3 of 4 in the red zone and ended overall +1 in the turnover margin.

And then, there is Matt Ryan. He was 22 of 29 for 215 yards and 2 touchdown passes. He is also the fastest quarterback to pass for 40,000 yards….only his 151^st start. Ryan not elite??? It took Drew Brees 152 games and Dan Marino 153 games, and Ice was over 40,000 early in the 3^rd quarter. Also, Ryan moves into 19^th overall in yards behind Joe Montana and Johnny Unitas…and just ahead of Aaron Rodgers. Ryan also has at least one touchdown pass in 28 straight games, a first in Falcons history.

Finally, we are convinced that the Falcons have their groove back. Hopefully, it is not too late with the 3^rd best record in the NFC South. We still get to play the Saints twice and the Panthers once more, but here’s hoping that this week was the official turnaround of the season and not just a great home win.

Shout out to the crowd, as Prescott noted that the crowd noise was making it difficult to hear during parts of the game.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley Owt