Falcons vs. Bears Recap: Falcons blow another lead as they fall to the Bears 30-26

The Falcons were leading the Chicago Bears all throughout the game. Like the other two games the Falcons have played this year, it was a tale of two halves.

The Falcons started the first possession of the game on defense, where they would end up forcing a long field goal that would miss.

On offense, the Falcons would turn great field position into a big play to get there offense started. Matt Ryan would find Calvin Ridley for the 63 yard bomb. While Hayden Hurst would finish off the possession with a one yard touchdown.

The Falcons defense is consistent in first half’s so far this season. Grady Jarrett’s tackle for loss on first down, and A few other big plays by the defense would force Chicago to settle for another field goal bringing the score to 6-3.

The offensive line did a good job at not allowing the defense to sack the quarterback for not having starting tackle Kaleb McGary. Matt Ryan was only sacked two times for 11 total yards lost. However, he was hurried several times, not having enough time to make a sound decision several times. It seemed like every third down, Ryan didn’t have anytime to throw, which brought them to 4-15 in third down conversions.

The running game was something a lot of people wanted to see improve going into this season. This game, the running game was huge, and Brian Hill was the first of the backfield to get a taste of the end zone. Hill scored a 35 yard touchdown on a crucial third and five during the second quarter, bringing the score to 16-3. Brian Hill would finish the game with nine carries for 58 yards and a touchdown.

After the Falcons scored, Mitchell Trubisky would scramble out of the pocket for a 45 yard run, bringing them to the goal line where Jimmy Graham would score a one yard touchdown bringing the score to 16-10 advantage Falcons.

An advantage for the Falcons means nothing though.

Shortly after, the Falcons would drive the ball down the field, and give Todd Gurley the ball on the ten yard line. Gurley would score a ten yard touchdown to put the Falcons up 23-10 early in the third quarter. Todd Gurley had a great game, finishing with 14 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown.

After special teams gave up a 40 yard return to the Bears, the Falcons defense would be put in a tough position. Blidi Wreh-Wilson would end up picking off Trubisky near the end zone. Everything is looking great for the Falcons right?

Well after getting the key interception, the Falcons would drive the ball down the field. Unable to convert on yet another third down, the Falcons would have to settle for a field goal bringing the score to 26-10 early in the third quarter.

With 9:30 left in the third, the Bears would decide to bench Trubisky, and bring out Nick Foles. This is where things start to get a little crazy.

Nick Foles would end up throwing an interception in the end zone to corner back Darqueze Dennard, who stripped the ball from the receivers hands.

Atlanta drove the ball down field, as the Matt Ryan led offense wasn’t able to convert again. Falcons settled for a field goal from 48 yards, but kicker Younghoe Koo would shank it slightly left and miss the three point try.

With 6:22 left in the game, the score was still 26-10, and the Falcons had the lead. With the Falcons though, no lead is safe. Here are the next few plays for the Bears as the would mount a comeback.

Bears would drive the ball down the field, and Jimmy Graham would get in the end zone for a touchdown on corner back Dennard. Score is now 26-16.

The Falcons would once again fail to drive the ball down the field. While Nick Foles found Allen Robinson who then made Corner backs Isaiah Oliver and Darqueze Dennard miss tackles, leading to a long 37 yard touchdown. The score is now 26-23, and all Falcons fans can already feel it.

Another drive where Atlanta fails to put points on the board late in the fourth quarter. With Foles surveying the field, he found receiver Anthony Miller for the touchdown that would give the bears a 30-26 lead.

One minute left, Matt Ryan has done this before right? He can win them the game?

No. After a couple passes, Ryan would throw the game sealing interception as he was looking for receiver Calvin Ridley.

Injury Report:

Before the game: Before Sunday’s game against the Bears, the Falcons listed several starters as out. Wide Receiver Julio Jones (Hamstring), line backer Foye Oluokun (Hamstring), offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (Knee), Defensive end Takk McKinley (Groin), Safety Ricardo Allen (Elbow) amd corner back AJ Terrell (COVID 19 Restricted list) were all out.

During the game: During the battle with the Bears, a couple key players left the game with Injuries. Receiver Russell Gage (Concussion) left in the first half, Defensive Tackle Grady Jarrett (Hip) left in the second half.

Next Week:

The Falcons will travel to Green Bay next week to play the Packers on Monday night.