Falcons win in a nail bitter over Detroit, 30-26

By: Lucas Kochevar

       The Falcons played in one of the best games this Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Both teams came in undefeated. The Falcons come in after a win against the Packers and the Lions beat the Giants last week. The game started off with Atlanta striking first with a touchdown pass to Mohammed Sanu. Atlanta would score a field goal and go up 10-0. The Lions would comeback and answer with a field goal by Matt Prater. Atlanta came back and scored a touchdown with a Devonta Freeman 1 yard touchdown. Matt Prater would drill another field goal. The Falcons would come back on offense, but Matt Ryan threw one of his three interceptions on the day and it got returned for a touchdown. Suddenly, the momentum shifted and the Lions were only down 17-13. Atlanta answered and came up with a field goal. The score at halftime was 20-13.

     The second half was full of action that started off with a field goal from Matt Bryant and Atlanta extended their lead to 10. Detroit would score a touchdown later in the third quarter and then they kicked a field goal and tied the Falcons heading into the fourth quarter. Early in the fourth quarter the Falcons set up a screen and Taylor Gabriel took it 40 yards to score and Atlanta went up again 30-23. The Lions scored another field goal to make it 30-26. Detroit was able to get the ball back and Matthew Stafford executed a beautiful drive all the way to Atlanta's 4 yard line. Detroit scored a touchdown on a slant to Golden Tate, but after video review he was down at the 1 yard line and it was a ten second runoff after the review since there was no scenario in which Detroit could stop the clock. The play can be seen below.

     Matt Ryan finished the game going 24-35 for 294 yards and 2 touchdowns. Devonta Freeman had 106 yards and 1 touchdown. Matthew Stafford went 25-45 with 264 yards and 1 touchdown. The Falcons and Chiefs are the only two undefeated teams in the NFL now. The Falcons play the Bills next week at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons will need Matt Ryan to be sharper against an improved Bills team. 

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