Post by Guvmintcheeze on Sept 20, 2015 21:15:10 GMT
Falcons' comeback sparked by strip sack of Eli Manning
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Atlanta Falcons made a defensive play when it had to with a strip sack and fumble recovery. Down 10 points at the time, the offense took care of the rest.
A late-third quarter play by Kroy Biermann, who created the turnover by Giants quarterback Eli Manning that was recovered by nose tackle Paul Soliai, helped make up for a lot of missteps by the defense in a 24-20 Falcons victory against the Giants. Suddenly, the missed tackles, the lack of pressure, and the 67-yard touchdown given up to Odell Beckham Jr. became a distant memory.
But give Matt Ryan and Julio Jones credit for closing things out. The two connected for a 38-yard pass play with 1 minutes, 53 remaining in the game that was originally ruled a touchdown. It was overturned but still set up Devonta Freeman's game-clinching, 2-yard touchdown run.
The Falcons always have a chance as long as the Ryan-to-Jones connection is working. Jones tied Tony Gonzalez's franchise record with 13 receptions and finished the game with 135 receiving yards. Jones was targeted 15 times and made the spectacular look routine. The Giants simply had no answer defensively.
Ryan completed 30 of 46 passes for 363 yards and touchdown pass to Leonard Hankerson, with no interceptions. He was protected for the most part although he was sacked twice. And he utilized targets other than Jones, with Hankerson and tight end Jacob Tamme each getting 77 receiving yards.
The last drive showed the poise "Matty Ice" brings to the table on a weekly basis. He didn't fret the pressure the Giants would bring. And it didn't matter that one of his new weapons, rookie running back Tevin Coleman, was out of the game with injured ribs. Ryan still had Jones and fed his big-play guy as much as he could. In the end, it helped lead to a win.
Now the Falcons are 2-0 and they know teams have absolutely no answer for Jones, who had nine catches for 141 yards against the Eagles in the opener. If the defense can tighten up and continue to be opportunistic, the Falcons could be well on their way to a successful season.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Atlanta Falcons made a defensive play when it had to with a strip sack and fumble recovery. Down 10 points at the time, the offense took care of the rest.
A late-third quarter play by Kroy Biermann, who created the turnover by Giants quarterback Eli Manning that was recovered by nose tackle Paul Soliai, helped make up for a lot of missteps by the defense in a 24-20 Falcons victory against the Giants. Suddenly, the missed tackles, the lack of pressure, and the 67-yard touchdown given up to Odell Beckham Jr. became a distant memory.
But give Matt Ryan and Julio Jones credit for closing things out. The two connected for a 38-yard pass play with 1 minutes, 53 remaining in the game that was originally ruled a touchdown. It was overturned but still set up Devonta Freeman's game-clinching, 2-yard touchdown run.
The Falcons always have a chance as long as the Ryan-to-Jones connection is working. Jones tied Tony Gonzalez's franchise record with 13 receptions and finished the game with 135 receiving yards. Jones was targeted 15 times and made the spectacular look routine. The Giants simply had no answer defensively.
Ryan completed 30 of 46 passes for 363 yards and touchdown pass to Leonard Hankerson, with no interceptions. He was protected for the most part although he was sacked twice. And he utilized targets other than Jones, with Hankerson and tight end Jacob Tamme each getting 77 receiving yards.
The last drive showed the poise "Matty Ice" brings to the table on a weekly basis. He didn't fret the pressure the Giants would bring. And it didn't matter that one of his new weapons, rookie running back Tevin Coleman, was out of the game with injured ribs. Ryan still had Jones and fed his big-play guy as much as he could. In the end, it helped lead to a win.
Now the Falcons are 2-0 and they know teams have absolutely no answer for Jones, who had nine catches for 141 yards against the Eagles in the opener. If the defense can tighten up and continue to be opportunistic, the Falcons could be well on their way to a successful season.