Falcons 2022 record: 5-7 (2nd in NFC South)
Opponent: Washington Commanders
Location: FedEx Field (Landover, MD)
Final Score: Commanders 19 – Falcons 13
Notable Falcons Performances:
QB Marcus Mariota – 15/25 (60%) for 174 YDs, 1 TD, 1 INT, 6 carries for 49 YDs
WR Olamide Zaccheaus – 5 REC for 91 YDs
LB Rashaan Evans – 13 tackles
LB Mykal Walker – 9 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 1 INT
Notable Commanders Performances:
QB Taylor Heinicke – 14/23 (60.8%) for 138 YDs, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RB Brian Robinson Jr. – 18 carries for 105 YDs, 2 REC for 20 YDs, 1 REC TD
S Darrick Forrest – 11 tackles
DE Montez Sweat – 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 2 QB hits
Next Opponent Preview:
Sunday, December 4 – vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (12 pm CDT on FOX; Listen locally WTGZ Tiger 95.9 FM)
Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 record: 3-7
Previous Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
Series History: Falcons trail series 2-14-1
Takeaways:
This is a loss that lands squarely on the shoulders of Arthur Smith, and it’s a loss that could come back and potentially sting more at the end of the season when the Falcons could be left on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. The defense did get punched in the mouth by allowing a 100 yard rusher in Brian Robinson Jr., but they were still able to get the necessary stops and only allowed 19 points. The offense moved the ball pretty well, and had the opportunity to win the game and shut the door on the Commanders, but the decision to call a pass play on second and goal at the four yard line turned to be a costly mistake as Mariota’s pass was tipped and picked off in the endzone, resulting in a loss. The play call was definitely a head-scratcher, as the Falcons had been running the ball well all game and probably would have been able to punch it in with a run by Allegier or Patterson. Next week, the Falcons come home to face a lowly Steelers team with a sputtering offense. With the Falcons still in position to take the NFC South, this is a big opportunity to get on the right track.
