FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 15 · December 20, 2009 · 10 min read

Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets: 2009 Week 15 Recap

Falcons defeat Jets 10–7 in Week 15

Bryan Edwards led Fantasy Impact as Falcons prevailed in a 10–7 Week 15 finish.

Atlanta Falcons 10 7–7 Winner
Final 10–7
New York Jets 7 7–7
Winner
Atlanta Falcons
Final score
10–7
Top passer
Matt Ryan
FantasyHQ MVP
Bryan Edwards
Game date
December 20, 2009

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

  • J.Norwood 2 REC · 47 YDS +4.5 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Gonzalez 3 REC · 32 YDS · 1 TD +2.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Matt Ryan
    Matt Ryan 16/36 · 152 YDS · 1 TD +0.9 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Jets

  • Bryan Edwards
    Bryan Edwards 5 REC · 105 YDS · 1 TD +5.8 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Sanchez 1 CAR · 2 YDS +2.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Brandon Smith
    Brandon Smith 1 CAR · 8 YDS +0.9 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
Atlanta Falcons
Final score
Atlanta Falcons 10–7 New York Jets
Halftime
Halftime score unavailable
FantasyHQ MVP
Bryan Edwards
Top passer
Matt Ryan
Biggest EPA play
(2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2009-12-20

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the New York Jets 10–7 on 2009-12-20. Bryan Edwards posted a game-high +5.76 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q4T
Atlanta Falcons3700010
New York Jets700007

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

ATLAtlanta Falcons
NYJNew York Jets

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

5 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 7:39FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NYJ 6
    Score
    3-0

    (7:39) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.

  2. NYJNew York Jets
    Q1 2:57TD
    Bryan Edwards

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 65
    Score
    3-6

    (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. NYJNew York Jets
    Q1 2:48XP
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    3-7

    3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-11-K.Clemens.

  4. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 1:42TD
    TGT. Gonzalez

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NYJ 6
    Score
    9-7

    (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 1:38XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NYJ 2
    Score
    10-7

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Bryan EdwardsBryan Edwards · New York Jets · Receiving · +5.76 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
  2. 2J. Norwood · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.50 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.25 EPA/play
  3. 3T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.53 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
  4. 4M. Sanchez · New York Jets · Rushing · +2.27 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.27 EPA/play
  5. 5Matt RyanMatt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +0.95 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
  6. 6Brandon SmithBrandon Smith · New York Jets · Rushing · +0.95 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
  7. 7J. Cotchery · New York Jets · Receiving · +0.65 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
  8. 8Malik TurnerMalik Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +0.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Bryan Edwards

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Bryan Edwards — NYJ · Receiving

Bryan Edwards posted the highest total EPA (+5.76) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New York Jets. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.82 EPA per play.

Bryan Edwards's top snap (+5.17 EPA): (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Matt Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Matt RyanMatt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 36 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · -12.6% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +0.95 total EPA
  • M. Sanchez (New York Jets) · 35 dropbacks · 51.4% completion · -3.5% CPOE · -0.18 EPA/play · -6.29 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatAtlanta FalconsNew York Jets
Offensive EPA/play-0.166-0.230
Offensive success rate30.0%35.8%
Pass EPA/play+0.026-0.180
Rush EPA/play-0.166-0.251
Defensive EPA/play+0.230+0.166
Defensive success rate64.2%70.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.17 vs -0.23), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Atlanta Falcons: -0.17 EPA/play (16th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
  • New York Jets: -0.23 EPA/play (9th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -13.32 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
  • New York Jets: 12 drives, -18.60 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Bryan EdwardsNew York Jets — Bryan Edwards (M. Sanchez pass) (Q1 2:57)
  • Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (Matt Ryan pass) (Q4 1:42)

Field goals

  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q1 7:39)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: New York Jets won the period 7–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYJ 6 (Q1 7:39) — (7:39) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; New York Jets found the end zone from the ATL 65 (Q1 2:57) — (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 2:48) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-11-K.Clemens..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYJ 6 (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q4 1:38) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +26.2% · EPA +4.34]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:15) — (2:15) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White pushed ob at NYJ 42 for 16 yards (27-D.Strickland). PENALTY on NYJ-27-D.Strickland, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at NYJ 42. [WPA +20.3% · EPA +2.81]
  • New York Jets (Q4 1:13) — (1:13) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep left intended for 17-B.Edwards INTERCEPTED by 20-B.Grimes at NYJ 43. 20-B.Grimes to NYJ 42 for 1 yard (17-B.Edwards). [WPA -18.1% · EPA -2.13]
  • New York Jets (Q1 2:57) — (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +5.17]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 11:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 32-J.Norwood to NYJ 30 for 38 yards (27-D.Strickland). [WPA +13.8% · EPA +3.34]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • New York Jets (Q1 2:57) — (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +5.17]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +26.2% · EPA +4.34]
  • New York Jets (Q2 6:40) — (6:40) (Field Goal formation) 11-K.Clemens FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 13, and recovers at ATL 13. 11-K.Clemens to ATL 13 for no gain (20-B.Grimes). [WPA -9.2% · EPA -3.95]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 10:15) — (10:15) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen. [WPA -10.5% · EPA -3.50]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 7:39 · NYJ 6 · Score 3-0
    (7:39) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
  2. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q1 2:57 · ATL 65 · Score 3-6
    (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q1 2:48 · ATL 2 · Score 3-7
    3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-11-K.Clemens.
  4. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 1:42 · NYJ 6 · Score 9-7
    (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 1:38 · NYJ 2 · Score 10-7
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Atlanta Falcons earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Bryan Edwards (New York Jets) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matt Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets on 2009-12-20?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the New York Jets 10-7 in Week 15, 2009.

What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?

Q1: Atlanta Falcons 3, New York Jets 7; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 7, New York Jets 0; Final: Atlanta Falcons 10, New York Jets 7.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?

New York Jets touchdown — B. Edwards (M. Sanchez pass) (Q1 2:57) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 1:42) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 7:39, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 44.4% completion, -12.6% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +0.95 total passing EPA. M. Sanchez (New York Jets), 51.4% completion, -3.5% CPOE, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -6.29 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?

Bryan Edwards (New York Jets) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.76 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 7 snaps. Their top snap (+5.17 EPA): (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Atlanta Falcons won 10-7 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 6-7 Now 7-7 W

New York Jets

Entered 7-6 Now 7-7 L