The Falcoholic
The Atlanta Falcons can’t make it pretty and they can’t make it easy, sure, but against the Buffalo Bills neither of those things are really possible. What the Falcons did do was win, by ten points, against one of the AFC’s juggernauts. It was, on balance, a hugely impressive effort and a needed win for a team that suddenly looks like the real deal.
Atlanta’s defense was smothering. With Buffalo losing players left and right, the job got a little easier, but pressure allowed the Falcons to keep Josh Allen off balance, force turnovers, and stall promising drives. On offense, Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London were brilliant in the first half, Bijan Robinson was brilliant throughout, and Tyler Allgeier played the closer role and human bulldozer exceptionally well. The result was a hard-fought 24-14 win.
Yes, the Falcons had a field goal blocked, Penix tried and failed to throw multiple interceptions, and there were lapses in all three phases. When you can do all that and still win by ten points against a team that came into this game 4-1, has an obvious MVP candidate, and plenty of talent, you’re cooking. The Falcons now just need to keep stringing these wins together and see where it takes them.
Here’s the drive-by-drive recap of the game you just watched.
The Falcons got the ball first, with Jamal Agnew making it to the 30 on the return. Bijan Robinson’s first carry went for a few yards, but he coughed it up and the Bills recovered, with an offsides on Buffalo saving Atlanta. Then Michael Penix Jr. hit Drake London for a nice gain. Bijan then picked up a couple of yards. Penix hit London again for 10 yards and a first. An end-around to Robinson then got seven yards, and then a Tyler Allgeier carry got excellent blocking and he did the rest, rumbling for a touchdown. 7-0 Falcons.
The Bills return got to the 27. Josh Allen had tons of time and lofted it downfield for 46 yards, with Joshua Palmer working against Mike Hughes. A James Cook carry went for three yards, and then Allen scrambled for a first down. Cook then took it a yard. A screen pass to Khalil Shakir went for seven yards or so, but it was called back owing to holding. Allen tried to scramble again but was slowed by Divine Deablo after five yards, with David Onyemata getting him. Then Allen found a diving Dawson Knox in the end zone for the touchdown. 7-7 tie.
Agnew got it back to the 25 before he was blown up. A lot of motion turned into a false start. On second down, Penix threw a rushed, low ball to a sliding London, who caught it for two yards. Pressure then got home and Penix threw it out of bounds on second down. Penix then got away from pressure but ran right into a defender for no gain. Punt, and the Bills got it...
