Atlanta Falcons vs. Chicago Bears: 2017 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-09-10, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 23–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Glennon (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with -6.67 total EPA, and -0.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.75 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+22.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (12:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 81-A.Hooper for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-A.Hicks].

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. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +18.75 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Hooper · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +11.34 total EPA · 2 snaps · +5.67 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Cohen · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +5.63 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Bellamy · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
5. 5 Ju. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.56 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Sims · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.00 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Coleman · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.95 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Thompson · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.74 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.87 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

• Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Q2 34:34)
• Chicago Bears — T. Cohen (Q2 30:20)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Hooper (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 12:10)
• Chicago Bears — T. Cohen (M. Glennon pass) (Q4 7:33)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q1 53:01)
• Chicago Bears — C. Barth (Q2 45:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q3 17:15)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 3:29)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CHI 30 (Q1 53:01) — (8:01) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 10–7. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ATL 36 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Field Goal formation) 4-C.Barth 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CHI 5 (Q2 34:34) — (4:34) 24-D.Freeman left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q2 34:29) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ATL 4 (Q2 30:20); Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 30:14) — 4-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CHI 10 (Q3 17:15) — (2:15) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CHI 88 (Q4 12:10) — (12:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 81-A.Hooper for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-A.Hicks].; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q4 11:55) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ATL 19 (Q4 7:33) — (7:33) (Shotgun) 8-M.Glennon pass short right to 29-T.Cohen for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 7:26) — 4-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CHI 19 (Q4 3:29) — (3:29) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 12:10) — (12:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 81-A.Hooper for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-A.Hicks]. [WPA +22.0% · EPA +7.88]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 0:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 8-M.Glennon sacked at ATL 14 for -9 yards (50-B.Reed). [WPA -20.0% · EPA -2.54]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 0:46) — (:46) (Shotgun) 8-M.Glennon pass short middle to 15-J.Bellamy to ATL 28 for 14 yards (21-D.Trufant). [WPA +15.3% · EPA +2.81]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 7:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 81-A.Hooper pushed ob at CHI 35 for 40 yards (50-J.Freeman). [WPA +13.8% · EPA +3.46]
• Chicago Bears (Q2 33:55) — (3:55) 29-T.Cohen left end to ATL 26 for 46 yards (21-D.Trufant). [WPA +10.9% · EPA +3.22]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 12:10) — (12:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 81-A.Hooper for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-A.Hicks]. [WPA +22.0% · EPA +7.88]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 7:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 81-A.Hooper pushed ob at CHI 35 for 40 yards (50-J.Freeman). [WPA +13.8% · EPA +3.46]
• Chicago Bears (Q2 33:55) — (3:55) 29-T.Cohen left end to ATL 26 for 46 yards (21-D.Trufant). [WPA +10.9% · EPA +3.22]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 0:46) — (:46) (Shotgun) 8-M.Glennon pass short middle to 15-J.Bellamy to ATL 28 for 14 yards (21-D.Trufant). [WPA +15.3% · EPA +2.81]

Quarterback report card

M.Glennon led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Glennon (Chicago Bears) · 47 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · -0.9% CPOE · -0.14 EPA/play · -6.67 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 35 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +5.8% CPOE · +0.54 EPA/play · +18.75 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +13.68 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Chicago Bears: 9 drives, +3.14 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) 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.

Every scoring play

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

1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 53:01 · CHI 30 · Score 3-0
   (8:01) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
2. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 45:00 · ATL 36 · Score 3-3
   (15:00) (Field Goal formation) 4-C.Barth 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 34:34 · CHI 5 · Score 9-3
   (4:34) 24-D.Freeman left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 34:29 · CHI 15 · Score 10-3
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
5. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 30:20 · ATL 4 · Score 10-9
   (:20) Direct snap to 29-T.Cohen. 24-Jo.Howard right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Wildcat formation - #8 M.Glennon lined up at WR (right side)
6. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 30:14 · ATL 15 · Score 10-10
   4-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 17:15 · CHI 10 · Score 13-10
   (2:15) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 12:10 · CHI 88 · Score 19-10
   (12:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 81-A.Hooper for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-A.Hicks].
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 11:55 · CHI 15 · Score 20-10
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
10. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 7:33 · ATL 19 · Score 20-16
    (7:33) (Shotgun) 8-M.Glennon pass short right to 29-T.Cohen for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 7:26 · ATL 15 · Score 20-17
    4-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-A.DePaola, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
12. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 3:29 · CHI 19 · Score 23-17
    (3:29) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.