Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2011 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-11-06, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 31–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Painter (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with -10.50 total EPA, and -16.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Jones (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.82 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (14:27) (Run formation) 34-D.Carter up the middle to IND 26 for 2 yards (50-C.Lofton). FUMBLES (50-C.Lofton), RECOVERED by ATL-93-R.Edwards at IND 26. 93-R.Edwards to IND 26 for no gain (72-J.Linkenba

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 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +10.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.70 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +9.59 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.12 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Collie · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.63 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.19 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
7. 7 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.85 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Brown · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +0.73 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.05 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. Turner (Q1 56:43)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 48:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 42:08)
• Indianapolis Colts — J. Powers (Q2 37:53)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 17:55)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 10:19)

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 14–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q1 56:43) — (11:43) (Run formation) 33-M.Turner right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 56:38) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 50 (Q1 48:00); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 47:51) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 80 (Q2 42:08) — (12:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 41:55) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the IND 98 (Q2 37:53); Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 37:47) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-1-P.McAfee..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q3 17:55) — (2:55) 75-G.Reynolds reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q3 17:50) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the IND 2 (Q4 10:19) — (10:19) 3-M.Bryant 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

Turning points

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

• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 59:27) — (14:27) (Run formation) 34-D.Carter up the middle to IND 26 for 2 yards (50-C.Lofton). FUMBLES (50-C.Lofton), RECOVERED by ATL-93-R.Edwards at IND 26. 93-R.Edwards to IND 26 for no gain (72-J.Linkenba [WPA -14.9% · EPA -4.89]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 42:08) — (12:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.4% · EPA +7.29]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 48:00) — (3:00) (Shotgun) 61-J.Hawley reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep middle to 11-J.Jones. Atlanta challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 61-J.Hawle [WPA +6.3% · EPA +4.69]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:53) — (7:53) (Run formation) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 25-J.Powers at ATL 6. 25-J.Powers for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion rul [WPA -5.9% · EPA -5.55]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 52:21) — (7:21) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White to ATL 30 for 13 yards (21-K.Thomas). [WPA +4.8% · EPA +2.12]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 42:08) — (12:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.4% · EPA +7.29]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:53) — (7:53) (Run formation) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 25-J.Powers at ATL 6. 25-J.Powers for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion rul [WPA -5.9% · EPA -5.55]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 59:27) — (14:27) (Run formation) 34-D.Carter up the middle to IND 26 for 2 yards (50-C.Lofton). FUMBLES (50-C.Lofton), RECOVERED by ATL-93-R.Edwards at IND 26. 93-R.Edwards to IND 26 for no gain (72-J.Linkenba [WPA -14.9% · EPA -4.89]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 48:00) — (3:00) (Shotgun) 61-J.Hawley reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep middle to 11-J.Jones. Atlanta challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 61-J.Hawle [WPA +6.3% · EPA +4.69]

Quarterback report card

C.Painter led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Painter (Indianapolis Colts) · 30 dropbacks · 43.3% completion · -16.8% CPOE · -0.35 EPA/play · -10.50 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 27 dropbacks · 51.9% completion · -0.8% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +9.59 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 (+0.11 vs -0.25), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, +9.47 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Indianapolis Colts: 13 drives, -19.41 total EPA, 0 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.
• J. Jones (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Painter (IND) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:43 · IND 1 · Score 6-0
   (11:43) (Run formation) 33-M.Turner right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:38 · IND 2 · Score 7-0
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 48:00 · IND 50 · Score 13-0
   (3:00) (Shotgun) 61-J.Hawley reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep middle to 11-J.Jones. Atlanta challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 47:51 · IND 2 · Score 14-0
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 42:08 · IND 80 · Score 20-0
   (12:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 41:55 · IND 2 · Score 21-0
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
7. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 37:53 · IND 98 · Score 21-6
   (7:53) (Run formation) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 25-J.Powers at ATL 6. 25-J.Powers for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assi
8. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 37:47 · ATL 2 · Score 21-7
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 17:55 · IND 1 · Score 27-7
   (2:55) 75-G.Reynolds reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 17:50 · IND 2 · Score 28-7
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
11. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 10:19 · IND 2 · Score 31-7
    (10:19) 3-M.Bryant 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.