Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions: 2017 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-09-24, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 30–26 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 26 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -2.77 total EPA, and -10.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Gabriel (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-52.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (:12) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 15-G.Tate for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the score ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 15-G.Tate to ATL 1 for

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 T. Gabriel · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.87 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.44 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Freeman · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.88 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Abdullah · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Freeman · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.84 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Coleman · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.22 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.04 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Roberts · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.77 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 — M. Sanu (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 53:46)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Q2 35:04)
• Detroit Lions — G. Quin (Q2 31:50)
• Detroit Lions — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 19:58)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gabriel (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 15:00)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 42:56)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q2 40:32)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q2 31:55)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 30:36)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q3 26:42)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q3 16:28)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q4 11:53)

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 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q1 53:46); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 53:17) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 13–13. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 18 (Q2 42:56) — (12:56) 3-M.Bryant 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 37 (Q2 40:32) — (10:32) 5-M.Prater 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 35:04) — (5:04) 24-D.Freeman up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 35:00) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 22 (Q2 31:55) — (1:55) 5-M.Prater 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 75 (Q2 31:50) — (1:50) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 11-Ju.Jones INTERCEPTED by 27-G.Quin at ATL 37. 27-G.Quin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 31:41) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 30 (Q2 30:36) — (:36) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 22 (Q3 26:42) — (11:42) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q3 19:58) — (4:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 15-G.Tate for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 19:51) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 17 (Q3 16:28) — (1:28) 5-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 40 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 18-T.Gabriel for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 14:50) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 38 (Q4 11:53) — (11:53) 5-M.Prater 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q4 0:12) — (:12) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 15-G.Tate for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the score ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 15-G.Tate to ATL 1 for [WPA -52.0% · EPA -4.12]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 17:54) — (2:54) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 26-T.Coleman INTERCEPTED by 23-D.Slay at ATL 36. 23-D.Slay ran ob at ATL 21 for 15 yards (81-A.Hooper). [WPA -23.1% · EPA -5.73]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:14) — (8:14) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 12-M.Sanu INTERCEPTED by 23-D.Slay at DET 8. 23-D.Slay pushed ob at DET 45 for 37 yards (18-T.Gabriel). [WPA -23.0% · EPA -6.69]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 31:50) — (1:50) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 11-Ju.Jones INTERCEPTED by 27-G.Quin at ATL 37. 27-G.Quin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -22.7% · EPA -7.83]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 0:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete deep right to 11-M.Jones. PENALTY on ATL-21-D.Trufant, Defensive Pass Interference, 18 yards, enforced at ATL 19 - No Play. [WPA +22.4% · EPA +3.03]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 31:50) — (1:50) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 11-Ju.Jones INTERCEPTED by 27-G.Quin at ATL 37. 27-G.Quin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -22.7% · EPA -7.83]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:14) — (8:14) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 12-M.Sanu INTERCEPTED by 23-D.Slay at DET 8. 23-D.Slay pushed ob at DET 45 for 37 yards (18-T.Gabriel). [WPA -23.0% · EPA -6.69]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 17:54) — (2:54) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 26-T.Coleman INTERCEPTED by 23-D.Slay at ATL 36. 23-D.Slay ran ob at ATL 21 for 15 yards (81-A.Hooper). [WPA -23.1% · EPA -5.73]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 0:12) — (:12) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 15-G.Tate for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the score ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 15-G.Tate to ATL 1 for [WPA -52.0% · EPA -4.12]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 53 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · -10.5% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -2.77 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 39 dropbacks · 61.5% completion · +5.0% CPOE · -0.07 EPA/play · -2.88 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 (+0.01 vs -0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, +0.60 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -7.16 total EPA, 5 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.
• T. Gabriel (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• 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 TD (+6) — Q1 53:46 · DET 4 · Score 6-0
   (8:46) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 12-M.Sanu pushed ob at DET 1 for 3 yards (28-Q.Diggs). Atlanta challenged the short of the line to gain ruling, and
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 53:17 · DET 15 · Score 7-0
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 42:56 · DET 18 · Score 10-0
   (12:56) 3-M.Bryant 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
4. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 40:32 · ATL 37 · Score 10-3
   (10:32) 5-M.Prater 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 35:04 · DET 1 · Score 16-3
   (5:04) 24-D.Freeman up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 35:00 · DET 15 · Score 17-3
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 31:55 · ATL 22 · Score 17-6
   (1:55) 5-M.Prater 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 31:50 · DET 75 · Score 17-12
   (1:50) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 11-Ju.Jones INTERCEPTED by 27-G.Quin at ATL 37. 27-G.Quin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 31:41 · ATL 15 · Score 17-13
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:36 · DET 30 · Score 20-13
    (:36) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
11. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 26:42 · DET 22 · Score 23-13
    (11:42) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
12. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 19:58 · ATL 11 · Score 23-19
    (4:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 15-G.Tate for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 19:51 · ATL 15 · Score 23-20
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
14. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 16:28 · ATL 17 · Score 23-23
    (1:28) 5-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · DET 40 · Score 29-23
    (15:00) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 18-T.Gabriel for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 14:50 · DET 15 · Score 30-23
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
17. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 11:53 · ATL 38 · Score 30-26
    (11:53) 5-M.Prater 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.