‘Haunted’ Falcons Ex Matt Ryan, Colts Blow 33-Point Lead vs. Vikings

DEC 17 MATT RYAN, COLTS COLLAPSE IN SECOND HALF

New metropolis, similar outcome.

That is the case for former Atlanta Falcons and now Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, who watched his group lose a 33-0 halftime lead in Saturday’s 39-36 time beyond regulation loss to the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Financial institution Stadium.

The Vikings closed regulation on a 36-3 run earlier than kicking a game-winning subject purpose as time expired in time beyond regulation, securing the largest comeback in NFL historical past and bringing again haunting recollections of Ryan and the Falcons’ blown 28-3 result in the New England Patriots in Tremendous Bowl LI.

One member of that Patriots group, receiver Julian Edelman, in contrast Atlanta’s fall in that recreation to the one Indianapolis simply skilled.

“How about this recreation? Matt Ryan is haunted,” Edelman said on a Boston radio station.

Haunted? Maybe – as a result of this blown lead definitely is not a Falcons difficulty.

DEC 14 RUSH TO COWBOYS The Dallas Cowboys are signing defensive sort out Anthony Rush to the follow squad. CowboysSI.com was the primary to report the information.

Rush began the primary 4 video games for the Falcons this season earlier than being waived. He joined the Philadelphia Eagles follow squad in November, however the group lower him final week.

Now, he joins the Cowboys because the group jockeys for playoff positioning.

DEC 13 FALCONS NEWEST FAN Quarterback Marcus Mariota is celebrating the beginning of his new child little one. Mariota has been away from the group resulting from his spouse going into labor. 

On Monday, head coach Arthur Smith confirmed that rookie signal-caller Desmond Ridder would be the beginning quarterback for the Falcons on Sunday towards the New Orleans Saints. 

Smith additionally revealed that Mariota might be heading to the Injured Reserve resulting from a knee damage. 

DEC 12 SAINTS NAME DALTON STARTER The New Orleans Saints are sticking to their weapons, beginning Andy Dalton for Sunday’s recreation towards the Atlanta Falcons.

Dalton has began the final 10 video games for the Saints regardless of Jameis Winston recovering from damage.

In contrast to the Saints, the Falcons are making a quarterback change, naming Desmond Ridder because the starter for his NFL debut.

DEC 11 LAMAR SLATED TO RETURN VS. FALCONS Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is on the sidelines immediately nursing a knee damage that would preserve him out for a number of weeks.

Based on ESPN, Jackson’s “most reasonable” date to return is Week 16 on Christmas Eve towards the Atlanta Falcons. Nevertheless, there may be additionally a “sturdy probability” that Jackson will not be one hundred pc for that matchup and his return is probably going predicated on the truth that the Ravens have to win some video games to stay within the AFC playoff image.

DEC 6 LINDSTROM NAMED WPMOY NOMINEE All 32 groups named one participant to be nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the 12 months award. This season, that honor for Atlanta belongs to offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom.

Lindstrom, 25, had his fifth-year rookie choice exercised this previous offseason, making him a free agent after the 2023 season.

DEC 5 BRADY, BUCS WIN MNF Regardless of trailing by 13 factors with three minutes to go, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 17-16 on Monday Night time Soccer.

The win pushes the Bucs to a 6-6 report, placing them 1.5 video games forward of the Atlanta Falcons at 5-8. 

The Falcons are on a bye subsequent week whereas the Bucs play the San Francisco 49ers.

DEC 5 BAKER CUT BY PANTHERS The Carolina Panthers are saying goodbye to quarterback Baker Mayfield after they anticipate waiving him Monday. NFL Community was the primary to report the information.

Mayfield was traded to the Panthers by the Cleveland Browns within the offseason for a fifth-round choose, however struggled as Carolina’s starter, going 1-5 earlier than being changed by P.J. Walker.

After Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot damage Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers might use a quarterback with Mayfield as a possible match.

DEC 3 DEION TO COLORADO The Colorado Buffaloes have formally employed Deion Sanders as their new head coach.

Sanders has coached Jackson State for the previous three seasons and went undefeated within the SWAC this yr.

Sanders performed for the Falcons from 1989-1993 and was an All-Professional twice in Atlanta.

DEC 2 BREES LIGHTNING STRIKE It makes for a heck of a tall story so as to add to the mythology of retired New Orleans Saints nice Drew Brees … however no. Regardless of video appearances and presumptive tweets, the longtime Falcons foe was not “struck by lighting.”

Possibly fairly shut, although. Except …

As you possibly can see within the video, Brees is filming a TV advert when some nasty type of climate hits … one thing.

However did a bolt hit Brees?

Hey, all people, be protected on the market.

Additionally, hey, all people, be cautious of large companies with intelligent promoting companies making an attempt to get your consideration with faux stuff.

NOV 30 TURNER ARRESTED Former Atlanta Falcons working again Michael Turner is going through little one abandonment prices after having been jailed in Gwinnett County earlier this month.

Turner, 40, has since been launched from the Gwinnett County Jail after having beforehand been arrested in July on failure to pay little one help prices. The kid’s mom claims Turner owes greater than $11,000 in again little one help and that he has not seen his daughter in over a yr, regardless of residing lower than half-hour away from her.

Turner performed for Atlanta from 2008 to 2012.

NOV 27 BUCS LOSS KEEPS FALCONS IN STRIKING DISTANCE

The Atlanta Falcons are sending a thank-you card to the Cleveland Browns after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday afternoon.

The Falcons’ gut-wrenching 19-13 loss retains them at 5-7 within the NFC South standings, opening the door for the Bucs to take a 1.5-game lead within the division.

Nevertheless, after the Bucs misplaced in time beyond regulation to the Browns, Tampa strikes to 5-6, simply 0.5 video games again of the Falcons.

NOV 24 EDWARDS CUT; DARBY SIGNED

The Atlanta Falcons positioned extensive receiver Bryan Edwards on waivers Thursday. The transfer comes only a day after the group signed extensive receiver Frank Darby from the follow squad.

The Falcons traded for Edwards from the Las Vegas Raiders again in Could and there was hope that he might be a starter for Atlanta this season.

Nevertheless, he didn’t reside as much as expectations, catching solely three passes for 15 yards in seven video games this season.

NOV 23 PATTERSON EARNS NFC HONORS AFTER SETTING KICK RETURN RECORD

Atlanta Falcons working again Cordarrelle Patterson has been named the NFC Particular Groups Participant of the Week after scoring his NFL-record ninth kick return landing Sunday towards the Chicago Bears.

Patterson, 31, took a second quarter kickoff 103 yards again to the home, the primary of his Falcons profession. The final time Patterson returned a kick for a rating was in 2020, when he was a member of the Bears. A four-time All-Professional, Patterson now sits in sole possession of first place in return scores … and has some added {hardware} because of this.

NOV 23 GRADY JARRETT NOMINATED FOR SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Atlanta Falcons defensive sort out Grady Jarrett has been named the group’s nominee for the Artwork Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The consideration is offered annually to an NFL participant who demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, together with truthful play, respect for the sport and opponents, and integrity in competitors

Alex Mack and Jake Matthews had been nominated for the award the earlier two years, and now Jarrett joins them.

NOV 21 FALCONS SIGN COMPTON AND RAINE, CLAIM JOHNSON

After a busy day of damage information, the Atlanta Falcons have made a number of roster strikes.

With tight finish Kyle Pitts and defensive sort out Ta’Quon Graham on injured reserve, the Falcons have signed tight finish John Raine to the follow, claimed defensive sort out Jaleel Johnson off waivers from the Houston Texans and signed free agent linebacker Will Compton.

Compton, 33, hung out with Falcons coach Arthur Smith when the 2 had been on the Tennessee Titans. He final performed in 2021 with the Las Vegas Raiders and has since risen to stardom on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast powered by Barstool Sports activities. Compton introduced his return to the gridiron by way of social media Monday evening:

Compton beforehand labored out for the Falcons in early October with the assumption {that a} later signing might be within the playing cards, and the 2 sides evidently felt the conclusion of Week 12 was the precise time. Compton can have a bodily Tuesday morning and be part of the group in time for Sunday’s recreation towards the Washington Commanders.

NOV 19 FALCONS ELEVATE DARBY, NEUZIL

The Atlanta Falcons have elevated receiver Frank Darby and offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil from the follow squad to the energetic roster forward of Sunday’s recreation towards the Chicago Bears.

A sixth-round choose in 2021, Darby has performed in only one recreation this season and has just one profession reception to his identify in 11 contests.

This marks Neuzil’s third consecutive elevation, as accidents to left guard Elijah Wilkinson and his substitute Matt Hennessy, who’s additionally the backup heart, have created depth issues on Atlanta’s offensive line. Neuzil can play all in any respect three spots on the inside.

The Falcons and Bears will kick off at 1 p.m. Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

NOV 16 MCKINLEY TO COWBOYS

One other former member of Dan Quinn’s protection is reuniting with him.

The Dallas Cowboys signed Takkarist McKinley to the follow squad. ESPN was the primary to report the information.

McKinley, who simply turned 26, was drafted within the first spherical by Quinn and the Falcons in 2017 and performed in Atlanta till 2020.

Since leaving Atlanta, McKinley has bounced across the league to the Las Vegas Raiders (2020), Cleveland Browns (2021), Tennessee Titans (2022) and Los Angeles Rams (2022).

NOV 13 MATT RYAN RETURNS TO STARTING QB ROLE FOR COLTS

After 14 years because the beginning quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan discovered himself in unfamiliar territory after simply seven video games as an Indianapolis Colts – a wholesome scratch on Sunday’s, relegated to holding a pill on the sideline as second-year professional Sam Ehlinger took over underneath heart.

However with the Colts firing coach Frank Reich on Monday and changing him with former heart and ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday, Ryan’s life returned to normalcy, as he was again on the sphere for Sunday’s contest towards the Las Vegas Raiders, even after Saturday named Ehlinger the starter.

Ryan ended the day 21 of 28 for 222 yards passing and one landing, throwing no interceptions and taking only one sack in a turnover-free efficiency. The 37-year-old added a 39-yard scramble, which practically doubled his earlier profession lengthy of 20, achieved throughout 2010, his third skilled season.

Indianapolis received 25-20, nearly a month since its final victory (Oct. 16 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars). Ryan will look to maintain the Colts within the win column subsequent Sunday towards the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

NOV 13 BUCS PUSH FALCONS GAME BACK IN STANDINGS

After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 21-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Munich, Tom Brady’s group holds sole possession of first place within the NFC South at 5-5.

The Falcons had the chance to match that report on Thursday towards the Carolina Panthers, however a 25-15 loss pushed them again to 4-6, closing the door of alternative.

Whereas this does not spell the tip for the Falcons this season, it places them behind the 8-ball. Now, the Falcons should hope that the Bucs slip up sooner or later through the season earlier than the 2 groups meet within the Week 18 season finale.

NOV 7 PANTHERS ANNOUNCE STARTING QB VS. FALCONS

The Carolina Panthers have named P.J. Walker because the beginning quarterback for Thursday evening’s contest towards the Atlanta Falcons.

Walker threw a miraculous Hail Mary as a part of a 317-yard passing efficiency when the 2 groups met in Atlanta on Oct. 30, however accomplished simply three of 10 passes for 9 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Carolina’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals this previous Sunday.

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield changed Walker and went 14 of 20 for 155 yards and two touchdowns, main three scoring drives within the course of however evidently did not do sufficient to take the job away from Walker.

The Falcons and Panthers sq. off at 8:15 p.m. inside Financial institution of America Stadium.

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