Falcons 2022 record: 2-2 (T-1st in NFC South)
Opponent: Cleveland Browns
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Final Score: Falcons 23 – Browns 20
Notable Falcons Performances:
RB Tyler Allgeier – 10 carries for 84 YDS, 8.4 YPC
LB Rashaan Evans – 10 tackles
K Younghoe Koo – 3/3 FG, 2/2 XP
CB Dee Alford – 3 tackles, 1 INT
Notable Browns Performances:
Jacoby Brissett – 21/35 (60%) for 234 YDS, 1 rush TD, 1 INT
Nick Chubb – 19 carries for 118 YDS, 1 TD
David Njoku – 5 REC for 73 YDS
Donovan Peoples-Jones – 5 REC for 71 YDS
Next Opponent Preview:
Sunday, October 9 – @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12 pm CDT on FOX; Listen locally WTGZ Tiger 95.9 FM)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022 record: 2-2
Previous Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs (L, 41-31)
Series History: Atlanta trails the series 28-29
Takeaways:
If there is anything that can be said after these first four games about this Falcons team, it’s that they have grit and they’re never going to stop fighting. Arthur Smith has these guys feeling confident in themselves and ready to go to battle week in and week out. This week the offensive line went against a depleted Browns defensive line and handled business like they should have. After a third quarter interception from Mariota, the Falcons abandoned the passing game and Smith called 14 straight run plays on the backs of rookie Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley as Cordarrelle Patterson was still bothered by a knee injury. Both running backs ran extremely well, and the decision to not throw the ball begs the question of will we see rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder soon? The defense bent, but didn’t break and again got the stops needed and closed the game with a crucial interception from Dee Alford. Up next, the Falcons head to Tampa to face Tom Brady and the Bucs to try and take sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
