Houston Texans vs. Atlanta Falcons Live Updates: Falcons Win 21-19
The Atlanta Falcons (2-2) and rookie running back Bijan Robinson are attempting to end their losing skid against the Houston Texans (2-2) led by electrifying rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud this afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Coming off of an ugly game against the Jacksonville Jaguars that left some wondering if Ridder would be benched in favor of his experienced backup, Taylor Heinicke, this could be a must-win for Ridder if he hopes to remain as the team's starter for the rest of this season.
Luckily, Ridder and the Falcons are undefeated at home this season. Due in large part to the brilliance of Bijan with the ball in his hands, NFL.com recently ranked him as the second-best running back this season behind only Christian McCaffrey.
Unfortunately, the Texans, led by C.J. Stroud, outmatch Atlanta regarding scoring.
C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans will compete against the Atlanta Falcons as they attempt to continue their win streak to three games.
Timm Hamm
Through four weeks, the Falcons scored 62 points while allowing 77 points on their defense. As for Houston, they've scored 96 points and given up 79 to their opposition.
Stroud has been historically good to start this season, taking what was considered a lackluster room of skill position talent and ultimately turning the Texans into contenders for the divisional crown while playing brilliant football. Stroud has thrown zero interceptions despite throwing the ball 151 times, the third-longest stretch to start a career.
These two teams feature rookies vying for the Offensive Rookie of the Year crown. The teams are both on opposite ends of the NFL's emotional rollercoaster, with the Texans on a two-game winning streak and the Atlanta doing the opposite. Still, when both meet at 1 p.m. at Mercedes Benz stadium, one could be walking away as one of the best young playoff contenders in the league.
WHAT: Houston Texans (2-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia (75,000)
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WZGC-FM 92.9 The Game
Get your tickets at SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Falcons -1.5
KICKOFF:
Falcons Ball: The drive goes three and out, with Bijan getting four total yards to start the game.
Texans Ball: Pierce rushes for five yards. Then a pass to Schultz gets 14. The Texans have a rhythm to start as they also involve Metchie. The Drive ends with points as Fairbairn hits a 38-yard field goal
HOU 3-0 ATL, 10:38 remaining in the 1st Quarter
Falcons: Ridder passes to Jonnu Smith for 13 yards as he continues to look like a focal point in the passing attack. TRICK PLAY! Drake London hit Smith for a 22-yard pass!
Bijan runs for 13 yards. Pitts is involved, gaining 13 yards for another first down. Ridder looks good, and now he looks great as he runs seven yards for a TOUCHDOWN!
ATL 7-3 HOU 6:48 remaining in the 1st Quarter
Texans Ball: Pierce runs for 15 yards, then loses six, but a six-yard gain to Dell offsets the loss. However, the drive dies, and they punt.
Falcons Ball: Ridder hits Mack Hollins for an 18-yard gain, but the drive goes nowhere as they're forced to punt the ball back to Houston.
Texans Ball: Dell gets 22 yards on a reception. Then he connects with Collins for 25 yards on second down. Following a loss of five yards to Dell, the first quarter ends
FALCONS LEAD 7-3 ENTERING THE 2nd QUARTER
Texans Ball: Woods sets up a 43-yard field goal, and THE KICK IS GOOD!
ATL 7 HOU 6
Falcons Ball: Facing third and three, an incomplete pass to Pitts ends the drive in a punt.
Texans Ball: A pass to Quitoriano goes for 22 yards on first down, but then miscommunication between Dell and Stroud helps kill this drive as they punt the ball away.
Falcons Ball: Ridder hits his fullback Smith for 28 yards. Hodge gets 11 yards on a reception. Robinson rushes for a first down. The drive stalls, and the team punts it back to Houston.
Texans Ball: A quick three-and-out ends this drive in less than a minute and a half.
Falcons Ball: Ridder hits the JOKER Patterson for a seven-yard gain. Ridder hits Pitts for an 18-yard gain. The team heads into the two-minute warning facing third and five after the break. Penalties kill the drive and force the team to punt.
Texans Ball: Stroud completes to Woods for 13 yards, and they then burn a timeout. Schultz gets eight yards, then another reception for five. Stroud throws a couple of incomplete passes. 45 seconds remaining in the half. A 29-yard pass to Dell puts Houston at the Atlanta 29-yard line. Dell was injured, on the catch. The team burns a timeout then the team hits Collins for a gain of seven. Uses their third timeout and again throws to Collins for another seven.
With less than 25 seconds remaining on the clock for the first half, a defensive delay of game pushes Houston to first and goal. With 10 seconds on the clock, Atlanta uses their second timeout of the half.
Following an incomplete pass to Woods, the team settles for a field goal and heads into the half with a lead.
HALFTIME: HOU 9-ATL 7
Texans punt the ball to start the half
Falcons Ball: Bijan fumbles the ball back to Houston
Texans Ball: At the Atlanta 24-yard line, the Texans kick a field goal to extend their lead even though they've yet to reach the endzone.
HOU 12-ATL 7
Falcons Ball: Smith gets an 18-yard reception. Then hits Pitts for 20 yards. Bijan and Allgeier pickup a first. Ridder Hits Hollins for 10 yards, but OH NO! Smith fumbles the ball, and Houston will start their next drive at their own 30-yard line.
Texans Ball: Pierce runs for four yards. Stroud throws two incomplete passes, with the second being a near interception (which would be the first of Stroud's career). The team punts again as the offense fails to score a touchdown yet again.
Falcons Ball: Ridder hits Pitts for 13 yards. London gets eight yards receiving for a first down.
Ridder never lost at home in college and is still undefeated at home in the pros.
Ridder hits Miller for seven yards as the third quarter comes to a close.
END OF 3rd QUARTER HOU 12-ATL 7
Falcons Ball: Allgeier runs for 10 yards on two carries. Pruitt makes a catch and fights for 22 yards! On second and goal, Bijan Robinson catches a short six-yard catch and then takes it to the house for a TOUCHDOWN!!!
They opt to go for two, and Allgeier catches it for another TWO POINTS!
ATL 15- HOU 12, 12:12 remaining in the game
Texans Ball: Houston has their second straight three-and-out and punts the ball back to Atlanta. They've had the ball less than half the amount the Falcons have in the second half.
Falcons Ball: London has a 32-yard catch with his helmet taken off. An absolute feat of strength from his hands and a true highlight catch. Kyle Pitts gets an 11-yard reception on third down for another first down. The team seems to have momentum back. Koo comes onto the field to attempt a 33-yard field goal, and the KICK IS GOOD!
ATL 18-HOU 12 6:57 remaining in the game
Texans Ball: Pierce runs for 13 yards. Pierce picks up 16 yards for another first down. The team advances to Atlanta's 31-yard line. Woods picks up 12 yards for another first down. Pierce loses three yards. Houston eats up the clock as the game heads into the two-minute warning in a one-possession game in scoring position.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING: Texans at the Falcons 22-yard line
Texans Ball: The offense is clicking. Woods gets a first down on a 12-yard reception. Stroud connects with Schultz for an 18-yard TOUCHDOWN!
HOU 19-ATL 18, 1:49 remaining in regulation
Falcons Ball: Robinson gains six yards on a catch. London gains five. Robinson runs for five. Ridder hits London for six and Pitts for four yards. Ridder and London connect for a 23-yard gain.
Houston calls a timeout but then gets a penalty for too many men on the field. Allgeier rushes for four, and the Texans burn another timeout. Atlanta is at Houston's 17-yard line. Ridder kneels, forcing the Texans to burn their final timeout. Ridder then kneels again.
It will all come down to Koo hitting a game-winning field goal with two seconds left on the clock.
The kick goes up, and it is...GOOD!!! The Falcons win the game at the last second
FINAL SCORE: ATLANTA WINS 21-19 OVER HOUSTON
