The Atlanta Falcons had fallen apart on both sides heading into the bye week. After a big game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the defense did its best in the first half to limit the damage while the offense managed a touchdown on a short field and… well, not much else.

The improvement in defense was eye-opening. Atlanta had three sacks in the first half and another in the third quarter and was able to largely limit the damage, save for a series of big catches from unrealistic rookie Ladd McConkey. The problem was on the other side of the field, where Kirk Cousins ​​looked miserable for most of the game and the Falcons couldn’t find solutions to it, leading to fizzled attacks and turnovers that led to points for the Chargers. Time and time again, the Atlanta defense gave the Atlanta offense an opportunity to take charge and take the lead, and time and time again, the Falcons incredibly turned around and failed to maintain the Chargers’ lead.

It all led to one final, slow drive with the game on the line and the Falcons trailing 17-13. That drive was grueling, requiring a penalty against the Chargers on a fourth down by the Falcons to give Atlanta life and ending with another fourth-and-12 interception by Cousins ​​to effectively end the game.

Here’s a complete drive-by-drive recap of the game you just saw.

1st quarter

• The Falcons chose to receive the kickoff, an interesting choice. Atlanta opened the drive with an explosive run to Bijan Robinson and then a 12-yard pass to Drake London. The Falcons faced a 3rd and 4 but were able to catch up with Bijan on the ground. The drive looked good and was close to the red zone, but Kirk Cousins ​​was too low on a throw to Darnell Mooney and the drive was ruled incomplete. Younghoe Koo then missed the ensuing 35-yard field goal.
• The Chargers took over at the 25 and the Falcons defense immediately put them on 3rd and 6, but Arnold Ebiketie was caught offside, giving Los Angeles 3rd and 1. Atlanta forced a fumble on the ensuing play, which was recovered by Clark Phillips III was balanced. Hawkball!
• Atlanta immediately scored a big finish on Drake London to score the first goal. The Chargers were hit with a ball that then gave the Falcons first and goal of the fourth. Bijan Robinson scampered into the end zone in the second and Atlanta took a 7-0 lead after Koo’s extra point.
• The Chargers immediately hit a wide-open Ladd McConkey for a 40-yard completion. Atlanta would stuff a run before Grady Jarrett and Kaden Elliss would combine for a sack on Justin Herbert to put Los Angeles on 3rd-and-17. They didn’t want to convert and instead settled for a 45-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker.
• Atlanta got the ball going with an 11-yard pass, then a 7-yard run, then a 6-yard run – all for Bijan Robinson.

2nd quarter

• Then Cousins ​​tried to get deep to Drake London in triple coverage, but was repelled.
• The Chargers again gained a large chunk of yards to a wide-open Ladd McConkey before going on 3rd-and-6. Arnold Ebiketie sacked Justin Herbert and forced a 51-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker. Los Angeles cut the Falcons’ lead to 7-6.
• The Falcons again went at Bijan with two plays in a row, but opted for a Drake London sweep on 3rd-and-1. Derwin James read the play the entire time and immediately blew it. Atlanta had to punt.
• The Chargers converted through the air and on the ground on their first two series and quickly got into Atlanta territory. AJ Terrell blew a screen to Ladd McConkey on the ensuing drive, but one play later the Falcons gave him a 13-yard catch. A false start would send Los Angeles back to 1st and 15th. Two plays later, the Falcons had the Chargers on third-and-8 at the two-minute warning. Ladd McConkey got the first down again. On the next series, Arnold Ebiketie would get another sack on Justin Herbert and Atlanta would ultimately force another field goal attempt. Dicker hit the 34-yarder to give the Chargers their first lead of the day at 9-7.
• The Falcons got the ball back with 58 seconds left. Atlanta had a first-round win against Darnell Mooney, but Kirk Cousins ​​was under pressure in the series that followed. Cousins ​​had an open receiver downfield but underthrew the ball heavily. Atlanta did it.

3rd quarter

The Chargers had the ball at the start of the half, and a first down from Herbert provided the kickoff. A running play then only went one yard, and Ladd McConkey dropped a ball inbounded by Herbert when he was knocked down. Then Quentin Johnson threw a bob and caught it out of bounds. Punt.

Tyler Allgeier picked up the carry near the 10 and gained four yards. Cousins ​​had time to step in and pass Ray-Ray McCloud up the middle, who gained 20 yards. Cousins ​​then had time again but couldn’t find anyone and threw away a duck. On second down, he threw to Drake London, who was intercepted to give the Falcons a first down. Bijan then collected a few and then rumbled to first down with a few nice blocks, completing the first down for three yards. Robinson then gained perhaps another three yards, and a five-yard offside penalty on Joey Bosa gave Atlanta further help. Then Cousins ​​hit Charlie Woerner for five yards and a first down. Allgeier made it for about four yards and then maybe another yard on second down. On third down, Cousins ​​was hit quickly while throwing, causing the ball to flutter onto the turf. Then Koo hit the 41-yarder and the Falcons were up 10-9.

Touchback. Scott Matlock, the fullback, caught the ball from three yards after a quick tackle by Clark Phillips. A false start ensued, and then Kentavius ​​Street worked his way around a blocker and knocked Justin Herbert to the ground for a sack. Herbert then hit Ladd McConkey for perhaps 10 yards, and the team picked up a flag that would have given the Chargers a first. Avery Williams got about nine yards on the punt return.

Bijan Robinson got five yards, and then a defensive holding call gave Atlanta yardage and a first down. Robinson then made it about five yards again, and Derwin James Jr. was injured on the play. Bijan then made it about four yards on second down and got outside when the game looked lost. A jump to Robinson then failed for a first down. On fourth down, the Falcons went for it and Mooney was first to intercept a wormburner from Cousins ​​for a catch and a key. Then Robinson picked up three yards, and then Bijan picked up another few yards. Cousins ​​then threw a strike downfield for London and it was in his hands but was knocked out by the defender. The Falcons decided to try again on fourth down, but Cousins ​​threw a weak pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. 16-10, Chargers.

On the next drive, Cousins ​​came out firing, firing deep and throwing London slightly downfield. On the next play, he attempted a risky tackle on Ray-Ray McCloud, but the defender simply missed his target, allowing McCloud to recover the ball and run 60 yards. Robinson then made it from two yards. On second down, Cousins ​​tried for London again but was nowhere near him. Cousins ​​then tried Kyle Pitts, but the two disagreed (the broadcast said Pitts stopped) and it was another incompletion. 17-13 Chargers after Younghoe Koo’s short field goal.

Touchback. Gus Edwards made it about ten feet.

4th quarter

A quick swing pass under pressure only reached two yards. Herbert escaped from a sack, then suffered another severe blow and threw it away. Punt, but it was a fake and a throw that went three yards when the Chargers needed three, thanks to a nice tackle by Kevin King.

Bijan Robinson made it four yards and then got a few more yards. Cousins ​​then found Drake London over the middle for about 10 yards and a first down. London then caught another ball from eight yards. Allgeier then gained one yard and was then dropped for a loss on the next play. However, on fourth down, Cousins ​​found London again for five yards and a first down. Robinson was then dropped for a throwing loss. Cousins ​​then threw a low pass that Pitts couldn’t reach as he tried to go through a defender. Cousins ​​threw another interception on the next play when he escaped the pressure and for some reason threw it into the end zone with no one in particular in sight. Sales volume.

Gus Edwards took 11th place and fought through contact. Two yards gain on the next run, and then Herbert tried to escape but couldn’t get away from David Onyemata for a sack. Kevin King threw Quentin Johnson five yards out. Avery Williams took the punt return about ten yards, but a call from Natrone Brooks put the Falcons halfway to their own goal line.

Robinson picked up four yards on first down. Cousins ​​then hit McCloud for a first down and 12 yards. Robinson then hit the inside for nine yards. Allgeier made it up the middle for a few yards and a first down. This was followed by a quick hitter to London for seven yards, and then Allgeier gained a few yards to reach 3rd-and-1. McCloud lost yards on a third down jet sweep. On fourth down, the Falcons tried to go for it, but Cousins ​​threw it to Robinson just before the sticks and it didn’t convert, but a defensive holding call gave Atlanta a new set of downs. A quick pass to London resulted in a first down. Another quick strike to Mooney went for maybe four yards, and then London made a killer catch and went out of bounds for the first time on second down. Cousins ​​was sacked and fumbled on the next play, although Atlanta was fortunate to take a loss. On second-and-22, the Falcons threw it to Robinson for nine yards. Cousins ​​then hit London with a lovely ball, but it was knocked out of his hands. Then on fourth-and-12, Cousins ​​attempted to get one to London, but the ball was deflected again. The game is over after the Chargers kneel.