Falcons squander a prime-time chance to show they're a team on the rise in the NFL
Three weeks into the season, the Atlanta Falcons had a chance to establish themselves as a team on the rise in the NFLSEPTEMBER 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA FALCONS 6-5 · 1ST IN NFC SOUTH
6-5 · 1ST IN NFC SOUTH
Next Game vs Chargers · Sun 6:00PM
ATL +1.5 TOTAL 47.5
Kirk Cousins is mic'd up for Sunday Night Football
SEPTEMBER 23 • YOUTUBE
Kaleb McGary - Receives good news McGary (knee) is considered day-to-day after undergoing an MRI on Monday, Jordan Schultz reports.
Impact McGary was believed to be dealing with an MCL sprain of an unknown severity, so this is good news for the Washington product. Although he'll still be considered questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Saints, he may now have a chance to play. More clarity about his status for this week should come when the team releases its first injury report Wednesday.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Avery Williamson - Operates exclusively on teams Williams returned two punts for 12 yards and one kickoff for 28 yards during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact For the second time in three weeks, Williams didn't see the field on offense. He's the primary return man for Atlanta, but he ceded a kickoff to Ray-Ray McCloud versus the Chiefs. Through three games, Williams has totaled 51 punt-return yards and 50 kick-return yards.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Justin Simmons - Picks off Mahomes on SNF Simmons posted five tackles (two solo) and an interception during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Simmons recorded his first interception as a Falcon during the first quarter. He has picked off Patrick Mahomes six times in his career, including in four straight meetings between the two. No other player has intercepted the two-time MVP more than twice. Simmons was a late addition to Atlanta's defense this offseason but has fit in seamlessly, posting 13 tackles, two pass defenses and one pick while playing nearly every defensive snap through three games.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Justin Simmons - Picks off Mahomes on SNF Simmons posted five tackles (two solo) and an interception during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Simmons recorded his first interception as a Falcon during the first quarter. He has picked off Patrick Mahomes six times in his career, including in four straight meetings between the two. No other player has intercepted the two-time MVP more than twice. Simmons was a late addition to Atlanta's defense this offseason but has fit in seamlessly, posting 13 tackles and two pass defenses, including Sunday's pick, while playing nearly every defensive snap through three games.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Troy Andersen - Season-high 12 tackles Andersen recorded 12 tackles (seven solo) during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact With Nate Landman (pectoral) on injured reserve, Andersen drew a second consecutive start and made the most of his opportunity on Sunday Night Football, finishing one tackle short of his career-high mark. Over the last two weeks, Andersen has totaled 21 stops and should remain a strong IDP option, especially in leagues prioritizing tackles.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Younghoe Koo - Nails 50-yarder in loss Koo made both extra-point tries and his only field-goal attempt during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Koo hasn't missed a kick this season and nailed his first attempt from 50-plus yards. Last year, the veteran kicker went just 3-for-6 from beyond 50, so his effortless boot in the fourth quarter on Sunday Night Football against the reigning champs was an encouraging sign for Koo's upside moving forward.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Ray-Ray McCloud - Season-low three targets in loss McCloud caught two of three targets for 17 yards and rushed once for 20 yards during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs. He also returned one kickoff for 28 yards.
Impact McCloud played 95 percent of the Falcons' offensive snaps but finished with season lows in targets, receptions and receiving yards. However, he somewhat salvaged the night with a 20-yard run. OC Zac Robinson has gotten McCloud involved in the running game in back-to-back games, and the wideout appears to have solidified himself as the clear No. 3 option behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney. However, Kirk Cousins has averaged only 19 completions and 209 yards per game thus far, so there isn't much to go around until Atlanta's offense starts clicking on all cylinders.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Ray-Ray McCloud - Season-low three targets in loss McCloud caught two of three targets for 17 yards and rushed once for 20 yards during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs. He also returned one kickoff for 28 yards.
Impact McCloud played 95 percent of the Falcons' offensive snaps but finished with season lows in targets, receptions and receiving yards. However, he somewhat salvaged the night with a 20-yard run. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has gotten McCloud involved in the running game in back-to-back games, and the wideout appears to have solidified himself as the clear No. 3 option behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney. However, Kirk Cousins has averaged only 19 completions and 209 passing yards per game thus far, so there isn't much to go around until Atlanta's offense starts clicking on all cylinders.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Tyler Allgeier - Limited work again Allgeier rushed seven times for 32 yards during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Allgeier was on the field for only 13 offensive snaps. He's played around 20 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps through three weeks, but when he's out there, the backup RB is heavily involved, recording 19 touches on 35 snaps. Allgeier boasts a solid 5.6 yards per carry thus far, showing signs of his rookie campaign in 2022 when he rushed for 1,035 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Last year, Allgeier averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. Regardless, Bijan Robinson remains the star of the Falcons' backfield, leaving Allgeier as merely an insurance policy in fantasy.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Tyler Allgeier - Limited work again Allgeier rushed seven times for 32 yards during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Allgeier was on the field for only 13 offensive snaps. He's played around 20 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps through three weeks, but when he's out there, the backup RB is heavily involved, recording 20 touches on 35 snaps. Allgeier boasts a solid 5.6 yards per carry thus far, showing signs of his rookie campaign in 2022 when he rushed for 1,035 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Last year, Allgeier averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. Regardless, Bijan Robinson remains the star of the Falcons backfield, leaving Allgeier as merely an insurance policy in fantasy.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Why the Falcons still made a statement in loss to Chiefs | Falcons Final Whistle Podcast
SEPTEMBER 23 • YOUTUBE
Sports betting roundup: College football, NFL, WNBA provide plenty of excitement
Exciting games in college football, another slate of games in the NFL, the start of the WNBA playoffs and baseball nearing the end of its season all made for a big week in sports b...SEPTEMBER 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kaleb McGary - Set for MRI McGary, who exited Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs early, is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact McGary will undergo an MRI to verify the diagnosis and also receive a timeframe for his recovery. While he is out of action, the Falcons will be without their starting right tackle, and would likely turn to Storm Norton to handle those duties. However, depending on the severity of the sprain, McGary could still suit up this Sunday against the Saints.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Kaleb McGary - Set for MRI McGary, who exited Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs early, is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact McGary will undergo an MRI to verify the diagnosis and also receive a timeframe for his recovery. While he is out of action, the Falcons will be without their starting right tackle and will likely turn to Storm Norton to handle those duties. However, depending on the severity of the sprain, McGary could still suit up this Sunday against the Saints.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
NFL Week 3 Big Bets Recap: $1 million bet on Chiefs cashes; 11-leg parlay hits
A million dollar wager on the Chiefs cashed in for one bettor, while another pocketed big bucks on an 11-leg parlay. Patrick Everson breaks...SEPTEMBER 23
Takeaways from Chiefs 'SNF' win vs. Falcons | 'GMFB'
SEPTEMBER 23 • YOUTUBE
Miscues and late stops by the Chiefs lead to another Falcons loss
The Atlanta Falcons had plenty of opportunities to beat Kansas City but miscues and trouble converting on third down helped the Chiefs hold on for a narrow 22-17 victorySEPTEMBER 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Darnell Mooney - Stays hot with eight receptions Mooney hauled in all eight of his targets for 66 yards in Sunday's 22-17 loss to Kansas CIty.
Impact Mooney kept his momentum rolling following last week's 3-88-1 receiving line with a flawless receiving performance in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. The newly-signed Falcon brought his season numbers up to 12-169-1 through three weeks, making him a definite deep-league option while likely enticing managers in shallower formats currently viewing Mooney on the waiver wire. Another strong fantasy game from the former Chicago wideout against the Saints on Sunday would likely generate even more fantasy buzz as we inch towards the quarter-point of the season.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Kyle Pitts - Makes most of two receptions Pitts brought in two of five targets for 59 yards in Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Pitts did most of his damage on a 50-yard reception that did not result in a touchdown in Sunday's narrow loss. The 2021 first-round pick has produced 105 yards and one touchdown off of eight receptions through three weeks. Better days should be ahead for the athletic tight end now that a proven arm like Kirk Cousins is delivering him the football compared to recent signal-callers. That said, Pitts' production to-date will result in a mid-level rating heading into another tough defensive matchup against the Saints on Sunday.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Kansas City Chiefs vs Atlanta Falcons - Official Postgame Show | Chiefs Rewind
SEPTEMBER 23 • YOUTUBE
Drake London - Scores second TD in loss London finished with six receptions (nine targets) for 67 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact London joined Bijan Robinson as the pair of young Falcons to cash in on scoring plays in a one-score loss to last year's champs. The No. 1 wideout led Atlanta in targets and yardage while grabbing the only touchdown thrown by Kirk Cousins on Sunday. London has seen his production steadily increase in each week to begin the 2024 campaign, highlighting a potential breakout against a divisional matchup when the Falcons host the Saints on Sunday.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Bijan Robinson - Scores lone rushing TD in loss Robinson rushed 16 times for 31 yards and a touchdown while adding 21 yards on two receptions (two targets) in Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact Robinson was finally stymied in his third game as a sophomore, failing to break the century mark in total yards since Week 17 of his rookie season. The former Texas Longhorn did provide fantasy managers with his first touchdown of the campaign, helping offset what would have been a negative report from Sunday's loss. Robinson remains the lead back in Atlanta heading into a pivotal NFC South matchup against the Saints on Sunday.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
