Atlanta Falcons drop to 3-1 with home loss to Buffalo

The Atlanta Falcons had several chances, but dropped their first game of the season as they were defeated by the Buffalo Bills 23-17 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium

It wasn’t the best day for the Atlanta Falcons who played their second home game of the season and also saw quarterback Matt Ryan struggle through a second-straight multi-interception day. Not all the struggles were on the 2016 NFL MVP though as things were not ideal for him and his fellow Dirty Birds.

Early in the game, starting receiver Julio Jones was lost to injury, and not long after he was joined in the locker room by fellow starter Mohamed Sanu. The lack of receivers allowed the Bills to zero in on the run, and in doing so both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman were slowed down. Atlanta never gave up though, not even after a terrible call by officials gave the Bills the lead early in the third.

After taking a 10-7 lead to the half, Atlanta started with the ball and was hoping to extend the lead. Ryan went back for a pass, and was hit by defensive end Jerry Hughes while throwing the ball. He clearly was holding the ball, and his arm went forward. Despite this, the refs called it a fumble, and despite one ref waving his arms in the air to signifiy the dead ball, cornerback Tre’Davious White was allowed to run it back for the game changing play. That play made it 14-10 Buffalo, but more than that it put all the momentum into the hands of the road team.

With his receivers missing Ryan threw a pick shortly afterwards as he tried to force the deep ball to get something going. Even with the poor play of the offense, the defense kept things close and Atlanta had a big drive to make it 17-17 on a touchdown to wide receiver Justin Hardy.

Blown coverages led to another field goal and then Ryan had his second pick of the game as it was just off the outstretched fingertips of receiver Nick Williams. With time winding down, the defense did a good job to hold once more and gave the offense the ball back in a 23-17 game with a chance to win it.

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They moved it into the red zone, but some bad play calling — like throwing on third and fourth-and-one for instance — led to the turnover on downs. Atlanta dropped to 3-1 on the season, and they leave the Kansas City Chiefs as the only undefeated team at the moment.