Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons Live Updates: Falcons Lose 24-16
The Washington Commanders are facing the Atlanta Falcons in Mercedes-Benz Stadium today as the home team attempts to continue their momentum from last week’s win.
Going back to his college days, the Falcons quarterback is 31-0 at home, but still hasn’t won a game on the road since joining the NFL, so this game will give him as good a chance as any, to win back-to-back especially coming off of his first 300 yard passing game as a pro against the Houston Texans a week ago in a last-second victory.
Looking over Ridder and the offense will be Atlanta’s former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan, who is having a bit of a homecoming game as he calls the game for CBS from the booth. Hopefully, Ridder can perform like Ryan during his prime in this matchup.
The Atlanta Falcons play the Washington Commanders at home.
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As for the opposing locker room, the Commanders are on a three-game losing streak in which their defense has been picked apart. Through the past three weeks, Washington’s defense has allowed a whopping 111 points.
If the Falcons want to exploit the Commanders weakness, then it should prioritize going after the quarterback. Second-year pro Sam Howell has been sacked 29 times this season as his offensive line has regularly failed to protect him.
Ultimately if Atlanta’s defense can control Washington’s offense and limit them to punts and field goals as they mostly did to the Texans last week, then Bijan Robinson and the Falcons offense could pick up their second win in a row.
WHAT: Washington Commanders (2-3) at Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia (75,000)
TELEVISION: CBS / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WZGC-FM 92.9 The Game
TICKETS via SI TICKETS
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Falcons -2.5
TOTAL: 42.5
MONEYLINE: Commanders +120, Falcons -141
START OF GAME
Commanders- A deep pass to Terry McLaurin put Washington in field goal range, and the KICK IS GOOD!
Washington 3 Atlanta 0
Falcons- Kyle Pitts has a nine-yard reception on third down to extend the drive. Ridder gets Drake London involved with a reception for 20-yard yards, then Hollins gets 16 yards. London gets another 11 yards. Allgeier runs for six yards. TOUCHDOWN! Kyle Pitts gets his fourth touchdown in his career as the Falcons take the lead.
Atlanta 7 Washington 3, 2:46 remaining in the first quarter
Commanders: McLaurin gets 13 yards and a first down, but then penalties and short runs kill the drive, forcing them to punt to the Falcons.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER FALCONS LEAD 7-3
Falcons: Bijan Robinson catches a five-yard pass, but they are forced to punt, but a 61-yard return sets the Commanders up at the 11.
Commanders: Samuel has a nine-yard catch. Gibson has a one-yard TOUCHDOWN reception.
Washington takes the lead 10-7
Falcons: On fourth and three, an incomplete pass to Bijan Robinson gives the Commanders the ball back at their own 48.
Commanders: On first and 10, Dotson drops a pass in his hands that had touchdown potential after getting behind the defense. On third and one, Okudah breaks up a pass, but the Commanders convert on fourth down thanks to a four-yard rush by Howell.
On first down, Gibson rushes for nine yards. Howell converts to McLaurin for 18 yards, then a TOUCHDOWN on a seven-yard pass to Curtis Samuel.
Washington Extends the lead 17-10
Falcons: Ridder connects with Pitts for 19 yards. The two seem to have a strong connection in this game. Bijan Robinson gets involved in the receiving game with a 22-yard gain. As the team enters the Two-minute warning.
On first and 10, Ridder gets charged with intentional grounding. London gets 11, but due to the penalty, they're forced to settle for a field goal.
Atlanta cuts into the lead but still trails 17-10 with 1:31 remaining in the half
Commanders: Falcons defender Calais Campbell reaches his 100th career sack! A quick three-and-out series with Howell getting sacked twice forces the team to punt.
Falcons: Atlanta gains just four yards on a pass to Jonnu Smith, with the team punting the ball back to the Commanders inside the Washington five-yard line.
Commanders: The team kneels the ball to end the first half
HALFTIME: Washington Leads 17-10 over Atlanta
Falcons: Ridder hits London for a 17-yard gain but then throws an INTERCEPTION!
Commanders: Howell hits Brian Robinson for a 24-yard TOUCHDOWN!
Washington Extends their Lead 24-10 over Atlanta
Falcons: A string of sacks and runs ends in a punt after six plays.
Commanders: Rodriguez is running for good yardage early, picking up 20 yards on two carries, but the drive stalls with Howell getting sacked for a seven-yard loss, forcing a punt.
Falcons: Ridder runs for 14 yards to pick up a first down. A pass to Jonnu Smith for 13 yards keeps the drive going. Then Smith has a 17-yard catch. On third and six, a pass sails incomplete, but a defensive pass interference gives Atlanta a new set of downs.
Allgeier rushes for four yards to the Washington 17, then again to the 13 as the clock rolls into the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
Falcons: A toss outside loses three yards on third and one, but the Falcons go for it on fourth, and Mack Hollins gets the first down.
Bijan runs for three yards, then a penalty on the defense moves the ball closer, and RIdder hits Smith for a two-yard TOUCHDOWN, his first touchdown in 31 games.
They go for two but don't convert, with Allgeier falling short
Falcons cut the lead, but still trail 24-16 with the Commanders leading, 12:38 remaining in the game
Commanders: McLaurin picks up 18 yards, but then the drive stalls, forcing a punt to Atlanta with 10:25 remaining.
Falcons: Ridder throws deep to London for a 32-yard HIGHLIGHT Catch over a defender! Robinson runs for nine yards, then two more yards for the first.
Pitts gets a six-yard catch. Then Allgeier runs for eight yards. On third and nine, Ridder fumbles, but Atlanta recovers, and a roughing the passer penalty on the defense gives the team a new set of downs.
Allgeier runs for 11 yards, nearly breaking away for a touchdown. On second and goal, a pass falls incomplete. Third and goal has a delay of game penalty, pushing the team backward. RIdder throws an INTERCEPTION in the endzone! With an opportunity to tie the game, the offense implodes at the goal line.
Commanders: An incomplete pass keeps time on the clock for Atlanta, then a run for no gain to at least kill some clock. On third and 10, Howell is sacked again. Third straight punt for the team.
Falcons Ball 3:29 remaining- Atlanta fails to move the ball, and after an incomplete pass on fourth and eight, they give it right back to Washington, nearly sealing their defeat.
Commanders: THREE AND OUT! Washington punts the ball back to Atlanta, allowing them one last chance to tie the game with two minutes remaining.
Falcons: London fights for a 50/50 ball, asserting himself as a physical threat. Bijan gets seven yards and goes out of bounds. Hollins gets 18 to put the ball in Washington territory. TERRIBLE CLOCK MANAGEMENT by Atlanta AGAIN! After spiking the ball, Atlanta has to burn a timeout after nearly having another delay of game.
After all of that time, Ridder throws an interception
Commanders: Kneel the ball in a win.
FINAL: Washington wins 24-16, beating Atlanta at home.
