Atlanta Falcons vs. Chicago Bears: 2011 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-09-11, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 30–12 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -14.59 total EPA, and +7.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Forte (Chicago Bears) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.02 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-15.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (2:48) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Urlacher [30-D.Moore] at CHI 29. 54-B.Urlacher to CHI 28 for -1 yards (88-T.Gonzalez).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 M. Forte · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +6.02 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Williams · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +5.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Knox · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +4.78 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Hester · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.42 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.22 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Spaeth · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +0.96 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Forte · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +0.61 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Chicago Bears — M. Forte (J. Cutler pass) (Q1 46:23)
• Chicago Bears — M. Spaeth (J. Cutler pass) (Q3 22:00)
• Chicago Bears — B. Urlacher (Q3 21:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — K. Biermann (Q4 10:35)

Field goals

• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q1 55:03)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q1 50:30)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 38:47)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 30:59)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q3 25:17)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 10–3. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ATL 23 (Q1 55:03) — (10:03) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CHI 30 (Q1 50:30) — (5:30) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ATL 56 (Q1 46:23) — (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 46:10) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh..

The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 6–0. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ATL 5 (Q2 38:47) — (8:47) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ATL 8 (Q2 30:59) — (:59) 9-R.Gould 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh..

The third quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 14–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CHI 7 (Q3 25:17) — (10:17) 3-M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q3 22:00) — (7:00) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 89-M.Spaeth for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 21:55) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CHI 73 (Q3 21:09); Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 20:58) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 6–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 38 (Q4 10:35).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 47:48) — (2:48) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Urlacher [30-D.Moore] at CHI 29. 54-B.Urlacher to CHI 28 for -1 yards (88-T.Gonzalez). [WPA -15.1% · EPA -4.60]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 46:23) — (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +4.60]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 57:27) — (12:27) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle to 22-M.Forte to ATL 27 for 23 yards (28-T.DeCoud). [WPA +11.6% · EPA +2.64]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 45:30) — (:30) 33-M.Turner left tackle to CHI 42 for 8 yards (33-C.Tillman). FUMBLES (33-C.Tillman), RECOVERED by CHI-90-J.Peppers at CHI 40. 90-J.Peppers to CHI 40 for no gain (75-G.Reynolds). [WPA -10.2% · EPA -4.25]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 52:25) — (7:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez to CHI 37 for 8 yards (46-C.Harris) [69-H.Melton]. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +1.45]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Chicago Bears (Q4 10:35) — (10:35) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 71-K.Biermann (55-J.Abraham) at 50. 71-K.Biermann for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.7% · EPA -9.66]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 21:09) — (6:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 16 for -11 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CHI-54-B.Urlacher at ATL 12. 54-B.Urlacher for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.1% · EPA -6.78]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 46:23) — (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +4.60]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 47:48) — (2:48) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Urlacher [30-D.Moore] at CHI 29. 54-B.Urlacher to CHI 28 for -1 yards (88-T.Gonzalez). [WPA -15.1% · EPA -4.60]

Quarterback report card

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

• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 54 dropbacks · 57.4% completion · +7.5% CPOE · -0.27 EPA/play · -14.59 total EPA
• J.Cutler (Chicago Bears) · 39 dropbacks · 56.4% completion · +8.2% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.47 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Chicago Bears held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.20), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 14 drives, -17.91 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Chicago Bears: 13 drives, -1.66 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Chicago Bears leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Forte (Chicago Bears) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Ryan (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Cutler (CHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 55:03 · ATL 23 · Score 0-3
   (10:03) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
2. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 50:30 · CHI 30 · Score 3-3
   (5:30) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 46:23 · ATL 56 · Score 3-9
   (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 46:10 · ATL 2 · Score 3-10
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
5. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 38:47 · ATL 5 · Score 3-13
   (8:47) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
6. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 30:59 · ATL 8 · Score 3-16
   (:59) 9-R.Gould 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 25:17 · CHI 7 · Score 6-16
   (10:17) 3-M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
8. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 22:00 · ATL 1 · Score 6-22
   (7:00) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 89-M.Spaeth for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 21:55 · ATL 2 · Score 6-23
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
10. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 21:09 · CHI 73 · Score 6-29
    (6:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 16 for -11 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CHI-54-B.Urlacher at ATL 12. 54-B.Urlacher for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 20:58 · ATL 2 · Score 6-30
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 10:35 · ATL 38 · Score 12-30
    (10:35) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 71-K.Biermann (55-J.Abraham) at 50. 71-K.Biermann for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.