Falcon Report

WATCH: Taylor Heinicke Hits Jonnu Smith for 60-Yard Atlanta Falcons TD vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Atlanta Falcons' offense needed a big play, and quarterback Taylor Heinicke and tight end Jonnu Smith converged to provide exactly that.

Daniel Flick

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Despite holding a 14-13 lead over the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday's game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons had no touchdowns to their name.

This remained the case when quarterback Taylor Heinicke took a snap with just over seven minutes to play in the third quarter ... but 60 yards later, that stat had changed.

Heinicke turned to his right and fired a screen pass to tight end Jonnu Smith, who found an open lane and ran untouched into the endzone to give Atlanta a 21-13 lead.

Smith ran through the back of the endzone before slipping in the tunnel, ultimately doing snow angels on the tarmac while being mobbed by his teammates.

The touchdown reception was Smith's second this season, the first coming three weeks ago against the Washington Commanders.

It merely continued a strong showing from Smith, who leads the Falcons in receptions (four) and receiving yards (91) Sunday against Minnesota.

But really, it's a continuation of Smith's high level of play this season, as he entered the today with 29 catches for 322 yards across 36 targets.

As for Heinicke, the completion pushed him to 17 of 28 for 211 yards and gave him his second passing touchdown since taking over for Desmond Ridder in the second half of last week's 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Taylor Heinicke is making his first start as the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback.
Taylor Heinicke is making his first start as the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback / Getty Images

The Falcons reached 14 points in an unconventional manner, as kicker Younghoe Koo connected on four field goals while the defense forced a safety on Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs.

But when Atlanta's offense desperately needed a big play, it found one - with Heinicke and Smith at the forefront.

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Daniel Flick
DANIEL FLICK

Daniel Flick is an accredited NFL writer for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Daniel has provided boots-on-ground coverage at the NFL Combine and from the Atlanta Falcons' headquarters, among other destinations, and contributed to the annual Lindy's Sports Magazine ahead of the 2023 offseason. Daniel is a co-host on the 404TheFalcon podcast and previously wrote for the Around the Block Network and Georgia Sports Hospitality Media.

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