Atlanta, GA
Despite Loss vs. Bengals, Falcons ‘Getting Better’ – and Still Ahead of Schedule
The Atlanta Falcons’ 35-17 street loss to the Cincinnati Bengals added only one digit to the loss column, however beneath the covers lay a recreation that wasn’t whilst shut because the 18-point margin suggests, and one other alternative gone to get above .500 for the primary time since 2017.
The Bengals outgained the Falcons 537 to 214.
The Bengals recorded 29 first downs to Atlanta’s 13.
The Bengals averaged 8.1 yards per play to Atlanta’s 4.8.
Regardless of the way it’s spun, Cincinnati dominated from begin to end. And but, for as disheartening as the competition proved to be for the Falcons, it is nonetheless only one recreation.
Atlanta fell to 3-4 on the season and stays winless in its final 12 possibilities to recover from .500. And but – as soon as once more – it is nonetheless only one recreation.
Practically as essential in the long term for the Falcons is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell 21-3 to the Carolina Panthers, led by interim coach Steve Wilks and backup quarterback PJ Walker. Thus, irrespective of how ugly Sunday’s affair in Cincinnati was, the Falcons will return residence nonetheless tied atop the division, with the Buccaneers feeling none the higher about themselves.
The Bucs are actually 1-4 of their final 5, the lone victory being over Atlanta, marred by the controversial roughing the passer name on Falcons defensive sort out Grady Jarrett.
The whole lot the Falcons got down to accomplish firstly of the season continues to be properly inside attain. By means of seven video games, Atlanta’s very a lot in competition to win the division and has been extra aggressive than most predicted.
The most effective half? Atlanta, which fields the second-youngest crew within the NFL, is continuous to ascend – and stays forward of schedule within the massive image.
“We’re getting higher week in and week out,” Jarrett stated. “Studying from our losses, studying from our shortcomings, however nonetheless a whole lot of optimism going ahead. We have got a bunch of men that imagine in one another a lot and know that our greatest soccer continues to be forward of us. We have simply bought to go get within the recreation and make it occur.”
The Falcons trailed 21-0 within the blink of an eye fixed Sunday however scored 17 factors within the second quarter to get momentum coming into halftime. Even with the entire struggles and eventual shortcoming, Atlanta’s march again highlighted the struggle its proven all 12 months.
The sport felt out of attain, however so did Week 2’s 31-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, when the Falcons trailed 28-3 late within the third quarter. So did the loss to Tampa Bay, which held a commanding 21-0 lead coming into the fourth quarter. And but, each occasions, the Falcons got here storming again.
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Whereas Atlanta in the end could not get the ball rolling within the second half, it by no means felt just like the crew stop, which is shortly turning into a key a part of the budding identification being established by coach Arthur Smith.
“We’re nonetheless resilient as a bunch,” tight finish Kyle Pitts stated. “So, maintain combating each drive and do not quit. We’ll by no means quit all year long.”
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow proved to be an excessive amount of for Atlanta’s resiliency, throwing for 481 yards and three touchdowns whereas finishing 80 p.c of his passes.
It was a troublesome day for the Falcons’ secondary, which entered the competition already down corners Casey Hayward and Dee Alford and misplaced All-Professional nook A.J. Terrell to damage on the second defensive of the drive.
Nonetheless, the Falcons refuse to make excuses, and with a divisional matchup towards Carolina looming, are absolutely targeted on shifting on and getting a victory in entrance of the house crowd subsequent week.
“We’re severe about this crew, we’re severe about what we have got,” second-year security Richie Grant stated. “Each Sunday we’re going on the market and we’re simply attempting to place on the market for the 404. We have got to go 1-0 every week, and that is the mindset.”
After profitable three of the final 4 video games heading into Sunday, the Falcons had a giant wave of momentum carrying them ahead. Whereas the perspective leaving Paycor Stadium did not essentially mirror that very same power, Atlanta’s younger, feisty, aggressive group is solely targeted on making corrections and getting again to profitable.
In spite of everything, irrespective of how dangerous Sunday’s drubbing was, it was only one recreation – one horrible, horrible, no good, very dangerous recreation.
Nonetheless, after seven weeks, the Falcons sit tied atop the division and are persevering with to ascend, which is not half-bad for a 2-15 soccer crew.
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Atlanta, GA
Man shot, robbed in Atlanta on his way to work says he still has nightmares about it
ATLANTA – FOX 5 Atlanta heard from the man who was shot when robbers took his electric bike and backpack. It happened early Monday morning near Hiawassee Drive in Southwest Atlanta, and police say the suspects haven’t been caught.
“I have nightmares and stuff like that. I can’t sleep,” Renard Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he is still trying to figure out how to move forward after he was shot and robbed while heading to work.
“All of a sudden, out of nowhere, the car came up behind me just saying, ‘Stop. Give me everything you want,’” Sullivan explained.
Just before 6 a.m. Monday morning, two masked men in a sedan approached Sullivan and took his electric bike and backpack, according to Atlanta police. Afterward, Sullivan said one of the men shot him in his leg.
“It’s like I looked down, and I got shot. Then, I called 911,” he explained.
Sullivan said the route he took on Monday was a common way for him to get to work, and he doesn’t know who could be behind this.
“I don’t mess with nobody. I just go and do what I got to do. Work, you know what I’m saying? Do a little work out there at the gas station,” he said.
Sullivan’s siblings said the electric bike was his main form of transportation. This was also not the first time something like this has happened to him. Sullivan said someone tried to take his e-bike from him a few months ago before his son intervened.
Atlanta police have not yet named any suspects nor have they announced arrests in Sullivan’s case. He said he wants the men who did this behind bars.
“Get them off the street, so they don’t do it to nobody else,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan’s family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help him get back on his feet.
The Source: FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Kim Leoffler spoke to Renard Sullivan for this article which follows up on a previous FOX 5 Atlanta report.
Atlanta, GA
How to Watch Michael Penix Jr.’s First Start in Falcons vs. Giants
The future is now for the Atlanta Falcons (7-7), who will start first-round rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants (2-12).
Atlanta benched veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on Tuesday evening, citing turnovers and decision making. So, in steps Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in April’s draft who’s played in two games — both blowout loss — and gone 3-for-5 passing for 38 yards. Cousins will be the team’s backup.
“We’ve been digging as much as we can in order to make things work and try to get things going,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday. “We wanted to play better at quarterback, and we felt like we got a chance to play a little bit better.
“And if we can go out there and play better at quarterback, who knows what can happen?”
The Falcons are one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South lead with three games remaining, and Atlanta owns the tiebreaker. The Giants, meanwhile, are trudging through a dismal season and will be starting Drew Lock at quarterback with hopes of snapping a nine-game losing streak.
Here’s what to know before the Falcons face the Giants at 1 p.m. Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The game will be broadcast live on FOX, with Kevin Kugler handling play-by-play duties alongside analyst Daryl Johnston. Laura Okmin will be the sideline reporter.
On the radio, Wes Durham and Dave Archer will have the call on 92.9TheGame.
The Falcons ruled out rookie receiver Casey Washington due to a concussion, marking the third consecutive game he’s missed. Receiver KhaDarel Hodge (ribs) and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (groin) are questionable.
New York will be without three players: linebacker Patrick Johnson (knee), linebacker Bobby Okereke (back) and offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie (concussion). Cornerback Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin) is doubtful and did not practice this week.
The Giants have players questionable, headlined by outside linebacker Brian Burns (ankle/neck), who didn’t practice Wednesday and Thursday and was limited Friday. The other four are Deonte Banks (ribs), running back Tyrone Tracy (ankle) and a pair of week-long full participants in offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann (fibula) and inside linebacker Dyontae Johnson (ankle).
The Falcons are 8.5-point favorites and have a 63.4% chance of victory, according to ESPN, which puts the over/under at 42.5 points. Atlanta’s money line is set at -450.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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The Falcons lead the all-time series 14-12 and have won each of the past three meetings. Atlanta has won four of the last five games dating back to the 2012 regular season, a span that followed New York winning four consecutive contests from 2006 through the 2011 postseason.
The two teams last played in Week 3 of the 2021 season, during which the Falcons won 20-17 on a last-second field goal by kicker Younghoe Koo.
Atlanta, GA
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons: 3 Key Matchups (Big Blue Breakdown Podcast)
What can the New York Giants do to avoid setting a club record with a tenth straight defeat while playing spoiler against Atlanta, which is still hunting a playoff bid?
They will do their best to rattle rookie quarterback Micheal Penix Jr., who is making his first NFL start as the replacement for benched veteran Kirk Cousins.
The first-round pick is expected to lean on the powerful running duo of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier while not losing sight of highly productive wide receiver Drake London.
Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito entered concussion protocol during last weekend’s loss to Baltimore. So Drew Lock will begin his second tenure as the starter after his first chance was shortened by heel and elbow injuries.
In the latest episode of the Big Blue Breakdown podcast, Paul Dottino analyzes the matchup’s significant battles.
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