The Falcoholic
This team is impossible to figure out, but there are certain truths we know. They’re better in the red helmets, they play contenders tougher than you’d expect, and they never play a full game…but sometimes it’s enough.
This was just the latest example of this. The Falcons were up 21-0 at one point in this one and completely dominated the first half, making Matthew Stafford uncomfortable, forcing turnovers, and getting some beautiful plays from Bijan Robinson. In the second half, though, they had a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, defensive lapses, and an offensive shrinking that let the Rams roar their way back into it and tie the game on a Puka Nacua touchdown grab. The Falcons managed to eke out enough offense to set up a 51 yard field goal try with Zane Gonzalez late, and he hit it to give them a 27-24 lead.
Then the stress started. Stafford missed a wide open Xavier Smith, Dee Alford appeared to get away with pass interference working against Tutu Atwell on a bomb—I’m not sure the Rams would’ve gotten a play off if that had been complete, though—and then A.J. Terrell made back-to-back great plays in coverage to seal the win. Despite nearly collapsing, the Falcons pulled it out against one of the best teams in football, running their winning streak to three games and ensuring that pick they’re sending to the Rams next year will land later.
It was a thrilling game, one that showed us Atlanta’s formidable strengths and their infuriating weaknesses throughout. One more to go before a pivotal offseason, and here’s the drive-by-drive recap of the game you just watched.
A one yard carry for Bijan Robinson kicked things off for Atlanta. On his next carry, Bijan fought through trash for two yards. On third down, Kirk Cousins tried a shot to Drake London, but it was not there. Punt, and it was a beautiful 59 yarder, with a 30 yard return wiped out by a penalty on the Rams.
Kyren Williams took it three yards. The Falcons got Matthew Stafford rolling out without a great option, and his pass downfield to Colby Parkinson fell incomplete. A quick strike to Konata Mumpfield picked up a first down, and Raheem Morris challenged it; that challenge was not needed because replay assist determined it was short. The Rams elected to punt, and Deven Thompkins took the fair catch at the Falcons 35.
Bijan Robinson took it five yards. Then a Chris Lindstrom false start backed the Falcons up five yards. A strike under pressure to David Sills got close to a first down, and Sills fought through a tackle to do the rest. It was quickly second and ten, and then a carry for Tyler Allgeier got two yards. Cousins then found Darnell Mooney for a first down and then some. Under pressure on first down and off his back foot, Cousins missed Mooney to the sideline. Bijan then made a couple of...
