Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2019 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-09-22, the Indianapolis Colts took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 27–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Brissett (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +22.51 total EPA, and +6.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Brissett (Indianapolis Colts) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +22.51 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+7.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (10:39) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass incomplete short right to 14-Z.Pascal. PENALTY on ATL-27-D.Kazee, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at IND 47 - No Play.

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. Brissett · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +22.51 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +19.25 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +12.53 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Sanu · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.96 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Hooper · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.87 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Hilton · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +5.65 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
7. 7 Z. Pascal · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Ebron · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.61 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.90 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

• Indianapolis Colts — Z. Pascal (J. Brissett pass) (Q1 46:31)
• Indianapolis Colts — T. Hilton (J. Brissett pass) (Q2 30:13)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Hooper (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 25:37)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Hooper (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 13:56)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Mack (Q4 8:47)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 4:17)

Field goals

• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q1 54:36)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q2 35:54)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 32:24)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 10–0. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the ATL 31 (Q1 54:36) — (9:36) 4-A.Vinatieri 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the ATL 18 (Q1 46:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass deep right to 14-Z.Pascal for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 46:25) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..

The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 17–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the ATL 3 (Q2 35:54) — (5:54) 4-A.Vinatieri 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the IND 16 (Q2 32:24) — (2:24) 3-M.Bryant 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the ATL 4 (Q2 30:13) — (:13) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short right to 13-T.Hilton for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 30:09) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the IND 35 (Q2 30:09) — 8-R.Sanchez kicks 65 yards from IND 35 to end zone, Touchback..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 13 (Q3 25:37) — (10:37) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 81-A.Hooper for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 25:30) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 2 (Q4 13:56) — (13:56) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 81-A.Hooper for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-A.Muhammad].; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 13:51) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the ATL 4 (Q4 8:47) — (8:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-M.Mack right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 8:40) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 10 (Q4 4:17) — (4:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 4:11) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile..

Turning points

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

• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 10:39) — (10:39) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass incomplete short right to 14-Z.Pascal. PENALTY on ATL-27-D.Kazee, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at IND 47 - No Play. [WPA +7.7% · EPA +1.60]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 4:17) — (4:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +2.28]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 46:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass deep right to 14-Z.Pascal for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +1.97]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 51:25) — (6:25) (Shotgun) 25-I.Smith left end to IND 34 for 2 yards (29-M.Hooker). PENALTY on ATL-77-J.Carpenter, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at IND 36 - No Play. [WPA -6.6% · EPA -1.65]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 42:46) — (12:46) 7-J.Brissett pass deep left to 85-E.Ebron pushed ob at ATL 48 for 30 yards (36-K.Ishmael). [WPA +6.4% · EPA +2.09]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 44:18) — (14:18) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle intended for 80-L.Stocker INTERCEPTED by 26-C.Geathers at IND 3. 26-C.Geathers to IND 3 for no gain (80-L.Stocker). [WPA -3.8% · EPA -4.31]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 19:52) — (4:52) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 11-J.Jones to IND 44 for 21 yards (34-R.Ya-Sin). [WPA +6.0% · EPA +3.08]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 30:13) — (:13) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short right to 13-T.Hilton for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.4% · EPA +2.98]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 0:37) — (:37) 7-J.Brissett kneels to ATL 18 for -1 yards. [EPA -2.88]

Quarterback report card

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

• J.Brissett (Indianapolis Colts) · 43 dropbacks · 65.1% completion · +6.7% CPOE · +0.52 EPA/play · +22.51 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 39 dropbacks · 74.4% completion · +20.7% CPOE · +0.49 EPA/play · +19.25 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Atlanta Falcons +0.24, Indianapolis Colts +0.24) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 7 drives, +17.73 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Indianapolis Colts: 7 drives, +19.40 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Indianapolis Colts 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.
• J. Brissett (Indianapolis Colts) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Brissett (IND) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• 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. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q1 54:36 · ATL 31 · Score 0-3
   (9:36) 4-A.Vinatieri 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
2. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 46:31 · ATL 18 · Score 0-9
   (1:31) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass deep right to 14-Z.Pascal for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 46:25 · ATL 15 · Score 0-10
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
4. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 35:54 · ATL 3 · Score 0-13
   (5:54) 4-A.Vinatieri 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 32:24 · IND 16 · Score 3-13
   (2:24) 3-M.Bryant 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.
6. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 30:13 · ATL 4 · Score 3-19
   (:13) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short right to 13-T.Hilton for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 30:09 · ATL 15 · Score 3-20
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
8. Indianapolis Colts TD (+7) — Q2 30:09 · IND 35 · Score 3-20
   8-R.Sanchez kicks 65 yards from IND 35 to end zone, Touchback.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 25:37 · IND 13 · Score 9-20
   (10:37) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 81-A.Hooper for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 25:30 · IND 15 · Score 10-20
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 13:56 · IND 2 · Score 16-20
    (13:56) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 81-A.Hooper for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-A.Muhammad].
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 13:51 · IND 15 · Score 17-20
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.
13. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 8:47 · ATL 4 · Score 17-26
    (8:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-M.Mack right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 8:40 · ATL 15 · Score 17-27
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 4:17 · IND 10 · Score 23-27
    (4:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 4:11 · IND 15 · Score 24-27
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-M.Wile.