Falcons Fall To Chargers 20-17: Live Updates

Can the Atlanta Falcons remain at the top of the NFC South amid a Week 9 match against the Chargers?

The 4-4 Atlanta Falcons will attempt to stay atop of the NFC South during an interconference showdown against the 3-4 Los Angeles Chargers.

The key to slowing down the Chargers at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is to contain one of the league's best quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, amid a Week 9 contest.

"He’s a terrific player, lots of courage in the pocket, can change his arm angle, he’s really accurate down the field, pretty complete quarterback," coach Arthur Smith said. "It’ll be an interesting matchup. I don’t know the stat on this, you can look it up, when was the last time two Oregon quarterbacks were going head-to-head as starters."

Herbert is entering his contest against the Falcons leading a top-10 offense during the 2022 campaign.

The last time Atlanta played against Los Angeles, Herbert led Los Angeles to a 20-17 win during the 2022 campaign. As a rookie quarterback, Herbert threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns in the win. 

Cordarrelle Patterson is active from injured reserve for the first time since Atlanta's Week 4 match against the Cleveland Browns.

GAME TIME: Sunday, November 6th, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

TELEVISION: FOX | FuboTV (try it free)

ODDS: The Falcons are 3 point underdogs against the Chargers.

MONEYLINE: Chargers (-165); Falcons (+133)

TICKETS VIA SI TICKETS

Over/under: 50

1st Quarter:

The Falcons received the ball first. Marcus Mariota completed a short pass to Cordarrelle Patterson for his first catch in five weeks. Tyler Allgeier would later rush for a 44-yard gain to help the Falcons take great field position. 

Allgeier's run would result in Patterson scoring the first touchdown of the game for the Falcons.  

Falcons 7, Chargers 0

Change of possession

The Falcons' defense held Los Angeles to their first three-and-out of the game. Punt. 

Change of possession

The Falcons began their next drive with a five-yard gain from Caleb Huntley. Mariota connected with rookie wide receiver Drake London for the Falcons' fifth first down of the game. The drive ended with Younghoe Koo drilling a 29-yard field. 

Falcons 10, Chargers 0

Change of possession

End of 1st quarter

2nd Quarter:

The Chargers recorded another three-and-out against the Falcons' defense. Punt. 

Change of possession 

The Falcons could not get anything going on the offensive side of the ball. Punt.

Change of possession 

The Falcons had the Chargers on the verge of their third three-and-out until Herbert connected with wide receiver Joshua Palmer for a 25-yard gain. 

Herbert's pass to Palmer helped the Chargers gain momentum for their longest offensive drive of the day. Los Angeles' drive ended with running back Austin Ekeler finding the end zone for a two-yard touchdown. 

Falcons 10, Chargers 7

Change of possession

The Falcons could not get anything going on the offensive side of the ball. After scoring on their first two drives, Atlanta has notched back-to-back series of three-and-outs.

Change of possession

The Chargers were able to sustain their offensive momentum from the previous drive. Los Angeles notched 63 yards on 10 plays, which resulted in Herbert connecting with Ekeler for a touchdown pass to end the half.

Chargers 14, Falcons 10

Halftime

3rd Quarter:

The Chargers began their first drive of the second half with a three-and-out. Punt.

Change of possession

On their first possession of the second half, the Falcons began to move the chains until London committed a fumble. Chargers' Khalil Mack recovered the fumble, marking the Falcons' first turnover of the game.

Change of possession

The Chargers failed to take advantage of their takeaway, with Herbert throwing an interception to Falcons defensive back Richie Grant.

Change of possession

After slowing down from their hot start, the Falcons recorded their second touchdown of the game following a three-yard rushing touchdown from Patterson. Atlanta was able to regain the lead after recording 53 yards in 10 plays late in the third quarter.

Falcons 17, Chargers 14

Change of possession

The Chargers notched one first down amid their next possession and failed to answer the Falcons with a touchdown of their own. Punt.

Change of possession

End of 3rd quarter

4th Quarter:

After a solid start to their next possession, Mariota connected with Allgeier for a 24-yard gain. The Falcons started to gain momentum, and it appeared that Atlanta was gearing up to end their latest possession with a touchdown.

The Chargers' defense held its own against the Falcons following a timeout and held Atlanta to a field goal attempt. Koo missed the 50-yard field goal attempt. 

Change of possession

With 14 plays amid their latest drive, Herbert led Los Angeles down the field to get the Chargers deep within the Falcons' territory. Cameron Dicker drilled a 31-yard field goal to even the score at 17.   

Falcons 17, Chargers 17

Change of possession

Three-and-out for the Falcons. Punt

Change of possession

The Falcons had the Chargers on the verge of another three-and-out until Herbert connected with wideout DeAndre Carter on third-and-five. Herbert then led Los Angeles to another first down by completing a pass to Ekeler on the next play. 

After moving the ball to the Falcons' 44-yard line, Herbert helped Los Angeles gain 22 more yards. Ekeler received a hand-off from Herbert on the Falcons' 22, where he fumbled. The ball was recovered by Atlanta's linebacker Rashaan Evans.  

Evans then committed a fumble of his own. 

After Los Angeles recovered the ball, Dicker helped the Chargers steal a 20-17 victory after nailing a 37-yard field goal attempt. 

 Chargers 20, Falcons 17

End of Game

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You can follow Coty Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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