Tag: Thanksgiving

Instant analysis of Falcons’ 26-18 loss to Saints on Thanksgiving

Here’s a look at how the Falcons’ offense, defense and special teams units fared on Thursday night’s disappointing yet predictable loss.

The Falcons were defeated by the New Orleans Saints on Thanksgiving night, 26-18, falling to 3-9 on the season. Despite a valiant comeback effort, this team continues to struggle in front of its fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, losing a fifth of six home games this season.

Here’s a look at how the Falcons’ offense, defense and special teams units fared on Thursday night’s disappointing yet predictable loss.

Offense

With Julio Jones out, Matt Ryan had to look to Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage and Christian Blake. Atlanta started slow, and wasted an early drive by failing on a fourth-and-short inside the five. The running game was a tad better, but Matt Ryan’s two second-half interceptions killed any realistic comeback attempt — until the Falcons recovered two onside kicks (and technically three with a penalty calling back the first). Still, it was too little, too late. Sound familiar?

Defense

Defensively, the Falcons were put in a bad spot after a first-quarter punt block, giving the Saints an easy score to go up 7-0. From there, Atlanta’s defense tightened up. If the offense had controlled the ball a little better, we’d probably be talking about how well they played. Still, it was another sack-less game for Atlanta, which is inexcusable given what we’ve seen this team do against the same New Orleans team three weeks ago.

Special Teams

After a quick three-and-out on the team’s opening possession, Atlanta had a punt blocked and the Saints quickly scored a touchdown a few plays later. Kicker Younghoe Koo missed a field goal and an extra point. He’d later make his next two and keep the Falcons in the game.

[lawrence-related id=42803]

[vertical-gallery id=42790]

 

[lawrence-related id=42646]

Watch: Falcons’ second onside-kick recovery keeps chances alive

Check out this highlight from the Falcons’ Week 13 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

The Falcons recovered not one, but two onside kicks in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

And then, there was this:

 

[lawrence-related id=42785]

Falcons Highlights: WR Russell Gage catches first career TD

Check out this highlight from the Falcons’ Week 13 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

The Falcons aren’t going to beat the Saints, but as usual, they put up some points in garbage time.

Second-year wideout Russell Gage caught his first career touchdown from Matt Ryan. Check it out below:

Atlanta currently trails New Orleans, 26-15, with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

[lawrence-related id=42743]

[lawrence-related id=42646]

Falcons Highlights: Matt Ryan finds Jaeden Graham for 18-yard TD strike

The Falcons trailed the Saints by seven before quarterback Matt Ryan found tight end Jaeden Graham for an 18-yard touchdown strike.

The Falcons trailed the Saints by seven before quarterback Matt Ryan found tight end Jaeden Graham for an 18-yard touchdown strike. It was Graham’s first career TD. Check it out below:

Atlanta trails, 7-6, in the second quarter to New Orleans after Younghoe Koo missed the extra point.

[lawrence-related id=42743]

[lawrence-related id=42646]

Quick hits, key stats and instant analysis of Cowboys 26-15 loss to Bills

The Cowboys dropped their second straight game, falling 26-15 to the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving Day.

The Cowboys latest struggles continued against Buffalo, falling to 6-6 on the season after their 26-15 Thanksgiving loss. Things started well enough, with Dallas scoring a touchdown on their opening possession. From there, Jason Garrett’s seat only got hotter as the Bills scored 26 unanswered points.

It was over when . . .

. . . Josh Allen ran 15 yards for his eighth rushing touchdown of the season, putting the Bills up 23-7 with 3:37 left in the third quarter. The score put Dallas in a familiar, insurmountable hole, around the same time Cowboys Nation hit their collective food coma.

Game balls:

RB Ezekiel Elliott

He reeled off the longest run on the season, with a 30-yard scamper on the team’s second drive. Early on, it looked like it was going to be Elliott’s best game of the season, but the run game was largely abandoned after the Cowboys fell behind. He took 12 carries for 71 yards, and also chipped in seven catches for another 66 yards.

WR Amari Cooper

Following his zero-catch game against New England, the Cowboys made a concerted effort to get him involved early. He was targeted three times on their opening drive, recording a 16-yard reception and drawing an illegal contact penalty. Cooper took a nasty fall halfway through the fourth quarter, ending his day at eight catches for 85 yards.

WR Ventrell Bryant

Ventrell Bryant was added to the Dallas active roster in Week Seven, and on Thanksgiving Day, recorded his first reception in the NFL: a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott. While it was an unforgettable game for many, the moment will last forever for the 2019 UDFA.

Key stat: 110

Making his return to Dallas, Cole Beasley sauced the Cowboys for 110 yards (a season high) and a touchdown. It marked the first time he’s gone over 100 receiving yard sin a game since Week 6 of the 2018 season, a pain worse than 80 Stings.

Quick Hits:

  • Two offensive turnovers committed within four snaps of each other signaled the kind of day it was for the Cowboys. Dak Prescott added a third turnover in the second quarter, but it was mercifully erased due to a penalty. For as well as the Dallas offense has played this season, the wheels have completely fall apart at various times, costing them in big moments.
  • Following last week’s missteps, Jason Garrett made another baffling series of coaching decisions, including ending the first half on a missed field goal with a timeout left in his pocket, and converting a 4th and 1 from his own 19 yard line. It was an overall sloppy effort by his team, featuring plenty of penalties, missed tackles, and surrendering a touchdown off a trick play

  • Dak Prescott’s MVP candidacy took a hit following two tough matchups with AFC East defenses. He fumbled twice and threw an interception in a 355 yard losing effort.
  • The Cowboys defense had success sending pressure at Josh Allen, sacking him four times in the game. DBs Darian Thompson and Jourdan Lewis each picked up sacks as blitzers.
  • Buffalo DTs Ed Oliver (two sacks) and Star Lotulelei (interception, blocked field goal) each had a huge impacts, winning the game in the trenches for the Bills. Dallas guard Connor Williams, just two weeks removed from arthroscopic knee surgery, came in and out of the game, and committed a false start on 3rd and 14 which led to a missed Brett Maher field goal attempt.
  • The NFC East is suddenly a lot tighter, with just four games remaining for the Cowboys. They’ve left themselves no margin for error, heading into a December slate featuring Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Rams. They next face the Chicago Bears in a Thursday Night NFC showdown.

[vertical-gallery id=635041][vertical-gallery id=634743][lawrence-newsletter]

Falcons LG James Carpenter leaves game with possible concussion

Atlanta’s offensive line has another injury, with starting left guard James Carpenter leaving the game in the second quarter after suffering an apparent an head injury. Carpenter is questionable to return. 

Atlanta’s offensive line has another injury, with starting left guard James Carpenter leaving the game in the second quarter after suffering an apparent head injury. Carpenter is questionable to return.

 

Wes Schweitzer, who had started at right guard, has slid over to Carpenter’s spot, with Jamon Brown taking over for Schweitzer at right guard.

The Falcons trail 7-6 to the Saints early in the second quarter.

[lawrence-related id=42743]

[lawrence-related id=42646]

Jags Wire panel share thankful thoughts about Jags

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been pretty terrible this season, however, there are still aspects on the team to be thankful for. Here are some things we are thankful about at Jags Wire in which surround the teams: James Johnson ( @Sportsgrind_Don): …

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been pretty terrible this season, however, there are still aspects on the team to be thankful for.

Here are some things we are thankful about at Jags Wire in which surround the teams:

James Johnson (@Sportsgrind_Don):

I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given for covering the Jags. I’ve interviewed first-round selections, been to the NFL Draft, covered the team during their only good season in recent history (2017), and while challenging, it’s been a lot of fun.

I’m also thankful for the people I’ve met because of my passion in covering the Jags, including Phil, Jacob, Will, Robert, Daniel, Nick and many more. Hopefully, better days will come to this team to make this experience that much more better.

Phil Smith (@PhiltheFilipino):

I’m thankful that we have a hometown team at all. The story of Jacksonville getting an NFL franchise is improbable. Even though they frustrate me to the end of the earth and back, at least we’re not St. Louis.

Jacob DeLawrence (@_Jdela):

I’m thankful that the Jaguars have managed to self implode this year and hopefully force owner Shad Khan to make sweeping changes. I’m also thankful for the Jags being the Jags and allowing me to join James and Phil to discuss our woes frequently on “The Jags Den Podcast.”

Daniel Griffis (@NFLGriffis):

I’m probably most thankful for the numerous opportunities to go to the games with my family. My grandmother bought us tickets in ‘95, so the family would come together more often for unforgettable moments. Simply put, the Jags give us a reason to see each other every other Sunday and that’s what it’s all about.

Will Frost (@willfrost_):

What am I thankful for? It’s been hard to be thankful for much these past few weeks, but I’ll do my best. I’m very thankful for Gardner Minshew II. He may not have set the world on fire when he was starting for the Jags, but for a few games, he made watching Jacksonville football fun again. 

Most importantly, I’m thankful for new starts. The year of 2020 is quickly approaching and with it marks a new year, a new decade, and hopefully, a new regime. I don’t know who I want in the front office as we go into next season, but I know change is needed.

Robert Ricks (@rrickswriting):

I’m thankful that the Jags know how to draft talent. The front office from a player relations aspect is a mess, but they know how to actually find good players. I can sleep somewhat better knowing that the Jags are just a stable quarterback away from being a major player in the AFC again. I’m thankful in knowing that ownership TRIES to move the team in a forward direction. They’ve just failed to execute in other spots.

What are you all thankful about at home when it comes to the Jags?

Falcons list inactives: WR Julio Jones will not play vs. Saints

Wide receiver Julio Jones missed all of practice this week, but it was a short week and the veteran usually gets time off. After being listed as questionable on Wednesday, Jones will not play, according to the team’s inactives list.

The Atlanta Falcons (3-8) are set to kick off in about an hour against the visiting New Orleans Saints (9-2) in a Thanksgiving night NFC South battle.

Wide receiver Julio Jones missed all of practice this week with a shoulder injury. After being listed as questionable on Wednesday, Jones will not play, according to the team’s inactives list.

Tight ends Austin Hooper and Luke Stocker are both out, along with defensive end John Cominsky. Check out the full list below:

Atlanta will go for a two-game sweep over New Orleans, but the team has just one win this season in front of its home crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

[lawrence-related id=42579]

[vertical-gallery id=42456]

Watch: Falcons vs. Saints Thanksgiving game preview

The Falcons can’t salvage their season after starting 3-8, however, a Thanksgiving night victory over the NFC South leading New Orleans Saints would complete a season sweep of the team’s most-hated rival.

The Falcons can’t salvage their season after starting 3-8, however, a Thanksgiving night victory over the NFC South leading New Orleans Saints would complete a season sweep of the team’s most-hated rival.

While it seems unlikely, Atlanta did beat the Saints convincingly just three weeks ago. After a nice win over the Panthers the following week, the Falcons came crashing back to earth during Sunday’s loss to the Bucs.

As you sit around waiting for the Cowboys–Bills game to be over, check out this pregame hype video the team released previewing tonight’s matchup:

[lawrence-related id=42743]

[vertical-gallery id=42456]

NFL fans loved this powerful Thanksgiving segment starring Jim Kelly.

Through all of the adversity Jim Kelly has faced, he remains thankful.

Jim Kelly enjoyed a hall of fame career and made a lot of money playing football, but he hasn’t had the easiest life. There are the four consecutive Super Bowl losses, of course, but those pale in comparison to the adversity he’s faced off-the-field. He lost his son, Hunter, at an early age and has faced cancer (and won) twice.

Kelly spoke about that adversity in this tear-jerker of a Thanksgiving package that CBS ran before his Bills took on the Cowboys. There’s a good chance someone is actually cutting onions around you right now, so you can probably get away with watching this one in front of others.

It’s not surprising that this one had NFL fans on Twitter in their feelings…

Kelly announced he was cancer-free (for a second time) in January of this year. For that, the NFL world is very thankful.

[jwplayer tRDipLal-q2aasYxh]