Falcons Comeback Falls Short as Rams Survive - Live Game Log
The Atlanta Falcons (0-1) have hit the road for the first of eight times this season, traveling to take on the reigning Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams (0-1) in SoFi Stadium.
The Falcons are coming off a crushing 27-26 loss to the New Orleans Saints in which they allowed 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, while the Rams will look to bounce back from a 31-10 home defeat to the Buffalo Bills.
Los Angeles' season-opener also marked the first regular season game on the NFL calendar, meaning the team has had 10 days to prepare for Atlanta's arrival.
Regardless, both teams will hit the field with the same mission: get their first victory of the season and avoid falling to 0-2.
Apart from placing running back Damien Williams on injured reserve Saturday, the Falcons are expected to be at full health entering the contest. The Rams will be without a pair of starters in receiver Van Jefferson and center Brian Allen.
Here are the inactives for both teams:
Falcons:
- Receiver Damiere Byrd
- Tight end Feleipe Franks
- Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski
- Linebacker Quinton Bell
- Offensive tackle Chuma Edoga
- Defensive tackle Matt Dickerson
Rams:
- Cornerback Derion Kendrick
- Receiver Van Jefferson
- Quarterback Bryce Perkins
- Safety Russ Yeast
- Center Brian Allen
- Receiver Lance McCutcheon
Check back here for live updates, scores and drive-by-drive coverage on Falcon Report.
The Rams have won the toss and deferred. The Falcons will start on offense.
First Quarter:
Atlanta starts the day with a 10-yard completion from quarterback Marcus Mariota to receiver Olamide Zaccheaus over the middle. The following play, rookie running back Tyler Allgeier took his first career carry for five yards.
A four-yard run by Cordarrelle Patterson set up a 3rd and 1, where the Falcons ran play action and Mariota found tight end Kyle Pitts over the middle for 13 yards.
An incompletion by Mariota and short run by Allgeier led to a 3rd and 8, where Mariota bobbled the snap before taking off, evading two tacklers and gaining 10 to convert.
Another short run by Patterson led way to a 10-yard completion from Mariota to rookie receiver Drake London, giving Atlanta another first down as it moved into the redzone.
Atlanta's ground game continues to struggle, as Allgeier is limited to a short gain before Mariota hit receiver Bryan Edwards for a gain of two. Right guard Chris Lindstrom was called for a false start, setting up a 3rd and 11, where there's miscommunication on the left side of Atlanta's offensive line. Bobby Wagner gets home untouched on Mariota.
Younghoe Koo's 44-yard field goal is pulled left, and the Falcons' 13-play drive ends with no score.
Change of Possession
A balanced attack led the Rams right down the field, with Stafford finding receiver Allen Robinson and tight end Tyler Higbee for a pair of first down gains while running backs Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers kept the offense on schedule.
On 3rd and Goal from the 1, Stafford found Robinson on a fade in the boundary-side corner, beating Falcons corner A.J. Terrell. Matt Gay's extra point is good, and the Rams strike first.
Rams 7, Falcons 0
Change of Possession
Atlanta's drive began with a screen pass blown up by Rams safety Troy Hill, who forced Mariota to throw a bounce pass to London. The second play was botched from the start, as center Drew Dalman's snap hit the motion man - Pitts - and was recovered by Allgeier for a loss of three.
On 3rd and 13, Mariota took a shot to Zaccheaus, but it was intercepted. However, a pass interference on Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey gave the Falcons a new set of downs.
A pair of runs by Cordarrelle Patterson will bring the opening quarter to a close. Atlanta will have a 3rd and 2 from midfield.
Second Quarter:
Two runs, no yards gained. One by Tyler Allgeier, one by Cordarrelle Patterson. The Rams' defense stood tall on 4th and 2, giving them the ball at midfield with a big wave of momentum at their backs.
Change of Possession
The Rams gained six on a pass to Higbee, who was hit by Terrell and finished off by rookie linebacker Troy Andersen, making his first career tackle. On 2nd and 4, Stafford hit Akers for 10 and followed it up with a six-yard pass to Brandon Powell, pushing Los Angeles inside the Atlanta 30-yard line.
A pair of eight-yard runs by Akers sandwiched by a Stafford scramble for no gain set up a 3rd and 2 at the Atlanta 11. Initially, the Falcons had it covered, but Henderson took the carry for three and converted. The next play, he walked in nearly untouched for an eight-yard touchdown. Gay's extra point is good, and the Rams continue their early domination.
Rams 14, Falcons 0
Change of Possession
Atlanta needed a big play to quiet Los Angeles' momentum and quickly got one. After a three-yard carry by Caleb Huntley, Mariota hit KhaDarel Hodge for a gain of 39. Patterson took the following carry for 11 yards, putting the Falcons down to the Rams' 22 with a fresh set of downs.
The Falcons are beginning to create some movement up front. Another Patterson run nets a positive result, as he gains six to put Atlanta inside the redzone. With an empty formation, Mariota couldn't find anybody, but took off for a gain of three, setting up a 3rd and 1.
Atlanta ran to the right with Patterson, who was hit early but scrapped to get within an inch of the line to gain. The Falcons kept the offense on the field ... and run a play action, but Mariota slips ... and gets up before finding Parker Hesse for five yards and a crucial first down conversion.
Allgeier takes the handoff for three yards, bringing the Falcons down to the Rams' 5. On 2nd and Goal, the Falcons ran it once more for no gain, but a penalty on center Drew Dalman negated the play and put the Falcons well behind the chains.
A repeat of 2nd and Goal from the 15, Mariota hit London for a gain of 8, getting over half the yards back. On a key 3rd and Goal, Mariota was chased and threw to Pitts, but the ball fell incomplete. Koo's field goal split the uprights this time, getting Atlanta on the board with under three minutes to go in the first half.
Rams 14, Falcons 3
Change of Possession
Cooper Kupp has made his first appearance, catching two passes for 29 yards and a pair of first downs. Stafford hit tight end Tyler Higbee for 17 yards, moving the Rams inside the 30.
With all the momentum, Stafford takes a shot to the endzone ... and is picked off! Casey Hayward makes a huge play for Atlanta's defense, forcing Stafford's first mistake - and incompletion - and giving the Falcons the ball at their own 20 with 54 seconds to play.
Change of Possession
Mariota takes a shot on the first play, looking for Pitts. The pass falls incomplete, but Rams corner David Long is flagged for pass interference, advancing the ball to the Los Angeles 44.
After a pair of incomplete passes, Mariota looks short to Patterson ... who can't haul in the pass, tips it in the air, and has the pass intercepted by Decobie Durant. It's returned inside the Atlanta 10, where Mariota made the tackle.
Change of Possession
The Rams start with a screen to Higbee, who's brought down by Terrell. However, an illegal low block penalty on Terrell moves the ball halfway to the goal line. Stafford hit Roinson in space for a touchdown, but the play was called off due to a medical timeout for Terrell.
Two plays later, Stafford hit Kupp on a fade to beat Hayward. This one is confirmed, and Gay adds on the extra point with 14 seconds left in the half.
Rams 21, Falcons 3
Change of Possession
The Falcons opt to play it aggressively, as Mariota hits London for 19, pushing Atlanta out across its own 44. His second pass was an out route to Hodge, but it was undercut by Ramsey, who dropped a would-be pick-six.
Mariota scrambles for four yards before being brought down by Terrell Lewis to close the half.
Third Quarter:
The Rams will start with the ball. Halftime appears to have not changed much, as Los Angeles has motored down the field with a balanced attack. Linebacker Mykal Walker had a chance to tackle Akers in the backfield on 3rd and 1 but missed, allowing the Rams to extend the drive.
On 3rd and 4 for the Rams, Stafford finds Kupp, who's uncovered as Terrell and Walker miscommunicate and leave him uncovered. He makes Jaylinn Hawkins miss on his way to the endzone, and waltzes in for his second score of the day. Gay's extra point is good, and the Rams extend their lead to an all too familiar score.
Rams 28, Falcons 3
Change of Possession
A short run by Allgeier is followed by a Mariota sack. On 3rd and 16, the Falcons threw a receiver screen to running back Avery Williams, who gained six. Atlanta was forced to punt for the first time today.
Change of Possession
Signs of life for the Falcons, as Stafford's pass - the second play of the drive - is intercepted by Walker on a full-extension grab. His 21-yard return sets the Falcons up at the Los Angeles 20.
Change of Possession
An illegal shift penalty on Parker Hesse started the drive, putting the Falcons in a hole. A screen to London gained eight and Mariota picked up another three on a read option, setting up a 3rd and 4. The Falcons give Patterson another carry, and he picks up the first down with a gain of five.
On 1st and Goal from the 9, Allgeier gained five. The following play, Mariota zipped a tight window pass to London for the touchdown, the first of his career. Koo's extra point is good, and the Falcons have pulled closer.
Rams 28, Falcons 10
The Rams marched down the field much as they have all day - a consistent, balanced approach with little pushback from Atlanta's defense. The play of the drive was a 3rd and 10 conversion where Falcons corner Darren Hall fell down during Robinson's route, leading to a 29-yard pickup.
Fourth Quarter
On 3rd and Goal, Stafford looked for Kupp, but the pass was broken up and nearly intercepted by Terrell. Safety Dean Marlowe was also in position to make a play. Gay's field goal is good, and the Rams extend their lead to three touchdowns.
Rams 31, Falcons 10
Change of Possession
The Falcons need points, and quick. They start with Patterson - one kick return touchdown away from an NFL record - back deep, but he can only take it back to the Atlanta 28. The urgency is up, as Mariota hit London and Hodge for 40 combined yards.
On 2nd and 6 from the Rams' 11, Mariota was forced to roll right, and he found Zaccheaus wide open in the flat for a touchdown. Koo's extra point is good, and the Falcons are within two scores for the first time since the second quarter.
Rams 31, Falcons 17
Change of Possession
Akers' first carry of the drive is stopped for a loss of one, but Stafford gets seven on 2nd and 11 to make a manageable 3rd down. Needing to get off the field, the Falcons defense couldn't stand tall, allowing an eight-yard reception by Robinson.
Akers takes the next carry for a gain five as the clock ticks under six minutes to go. The following play is a pitch to Akers blown up by Grady Jarrett for a loss of three. Timeout Atlanta (due to injury) with a big 3rd and 8 looming.
Stafford's pass to Skowronek sails high, and the Falcons will force the Rams to punt with 5:11 remaining ... and the punt is blocked! Lorenzo Carter scoops it up and returns it for a touchdown!
The Falcons keep the offense on the field and go for the 2-point conversion ... and Mariota finds London! The Falcons are within six points with 4:57 to go.
Rams 31, Falcons 25
Change of Possession
The first play of the Rams' drive is a four-yard run with Akers. The following play is a handoff to Henderson, who's tackled by Terrell for a gain of two. On 3rd and 4, Stafford finds Kupp for the first down ... but he fumbles! Darren Hall recovers for Atlanta! The Falcons have it with 3:22 to go.
Change of Possession
A pair of screen passes to London - one of which featured a handle of Durant - gains 16. A one yard carry by Allgeier takes the clock down to the two-minute warning.
Mariota is sacked for a loss of four out of the break. Facing instant pressure, Mariota lobs one up to Bryan Edwards on 3rd and 13 ... and the pass is intercepted by Ramsey with 1:07 remaining.
Change of Possession
A pair of runs, one by Henderson and one by Akers, net the Rams two yards. The Falcons are out of timeouts with 58 seconds to play. The Rams run the ball with Henderson for a gain of one.
With 12 seconds to go, the Rams opt to put Powell back at punter and run it through the back of the endzone for a safety, now set to kickoff with a smaller margin but just six seconds left.
Rams 31, Falcons 27
Change of Possession
The kickoff goes out of bounds. The Falcons have it at midfield.
Mariota scrambles and doesn't even get a throw off. Game over.
Rams 31, Falcons 27. Final.
The Falcons will take on the Seattle Seahawks at 4:25 p.m. next Sunday.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.
Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.
