Game story
In Week 3 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-09-23, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 27–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +15.10 total EPA, and +10.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-16.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (10:42) 24-R.Mathews up the middle to ATL 4 for 3 yards (56-S.Weatherspoon). FUMBLES (56-S.Weatherspoon), RECOVERED by ATL-28-T.DeCoud at ATL 4. The Replay Assistant challenged the fumble ruling, and
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 6 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +15.10 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
- 2 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.85 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 3 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.65 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
- 4 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.20 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
- 5 Jz. Rodgers · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.91 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
- 6 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.20 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 7 J. Battle · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +2.13 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
- 8 J. Snelling · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.68 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Ryan — ATL · Passing
M. Ryan posted the highest total EPA (+15.10) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Atlanta Falcons's efficiency. Across 47 counted snaps, they averaged +0.32 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.83 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: (2:20) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 88-D.Rosario to ATL 8 for 6 yards (23-D.Robinson). Atlanta challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short lef
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Ryan
- Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding
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 6–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the LAC 8 (Q1 54:49) — (9:49) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 32-Jz. Rodgers for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the LAC 7 (Q2 32:37) — (2:37) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 32:32) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the LAC 9 (Q2 30:58) — (:58) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 30:54) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the ATL 23 (Q3 26:14) — (11:14) 10-N.Kaeding 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the LAC 7 (Q4 8:56) — (8:56) 33-M.Turner right tackle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 8:51) — 3-M.Bryant extra point 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.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 40:42) — (10:42) 24-R.Mathews up the middle to ATL 4 for 3 yards (56-S.Weatherspoon). FUMBLES (56-S.Weatherspoon), RECOVERED by ATL-28-T.DeCoud at ATL 4. The Replay Assistant challenged the fumble ruling, and
- Atlanta Falcons (Q1 57:25) — (12:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 32-Jz. Rodgers to LAC 37 for 11 yards (92-V.Martin, 26-A.Bigby).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q1 54:49) — (9:49) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 32-Jz. Rodgers for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 42:31) — (12:31) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 80-M.Floyd to ATL 17 for 28 yards (23-D.Robinson).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass incomplete short right to 85-A.Gates (28-T.DeCoud). The Replay Assistant challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 2:20) — (2:20) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 88-D.Rosario to ATL 8 for 6 yards (23-D.Robinson). Atlanta challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 17-P.R
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 40:42) — (10:42) 24-R.Mathews up the middle to ATL 4 for 3 yards (56-S.Weatherspoon). FUMBLES (56-S.Weatherspoon), RECOVERED by ATL-28-T.DeCoud at ATL 4. The Replay Assistant challenged the fumble ruling, and
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 12:27) — (12:27) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Cason at LAC 0. 20-A.Cason ran ob at LAC 3 for 3 yards (88-T.Gonzalez).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass incomplete short right to 85-A.Gates (28-T.DeCoud). The Replay Assistant challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass
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) · 47 dropbacks · 63.8% completion · +10.8% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +15.10 total EPA
- P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 40 dropbacks · 52.5% completion · -9.6% CPOE · -0.32 EPA/play · -12.90 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Atlanta Falcons | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.197 | -0.160 |
| Offensive success rate | 50.0% | 36.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.321 | -0.322 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.009 | +0.046 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.160 | -0.197 |
| Defensive success rate | 63.8% | 50.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs -0.16), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +16.52 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, -11.02 total EPA, 1 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.
- 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.
- P. Rivers (LAC) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 54:49 · LAC 8 · Score 6-0
(9:49) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 32-Jz. Rodgers for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 32:37 · LAC 7 · Score 12-0
(2:37) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 32:32 · LAC 2 · Score 13-0
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:58 · LAC 9 · Score 19-0
(:58) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:54 · LAC 2 · Score 20-0
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q3 26:14 · ATL 23 · Score 20-3
(11:14) 10-N.Kaeding 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 8:56 · LAC 7 · Score 26-3
(8:56) 33-M.Turner right tackle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 8:51 · LAC 2 · Score 27-3
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The Atlanta Falcons beat the Los Angeles Chargers 27-3 in Week 3, 2012 on 2012-09-23.
What was the final score of Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The final score was Atlanta Falcons 27, Los Angeles Chargers 3 (ATL 27-3 LAC) in Week 3, 2012 on 2012-09-23.
What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Q1: Atlanta Falcons 6, Los Angeles Chargers 0; Q2: Atlanta Falcons 14, Los Angeles Chargers 0; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 0, Los Angeles Chargers 3; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 7, Los Angeles Chargers 0; Final: Atlanta Falcons 27, Los Angeles Chargers 3.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Atlanta Falcons touchdown — M. Ryan (Q1 54:49) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 32:37) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 30:58) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — M. Turner (Q4 8:56) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q3 26:14, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers?
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 63.8% completion, +10.8% CPOE, +0.32 EPA per dropback, +15.10 total passing EPA. P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 52.5% completion, -9.6% CPOE, -0.32 EPA per dropback, -12.90 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers?
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) led the game in total EPA with +15.10 on passing plays. across 47 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.83 EPA): (2:20) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 88-D.Rosario to ATL 8 for 6 yards (23-D.Robinson). Atlanta challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERS. The biggest win-probability swing was -16.0%.
Season records after this game
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 2-0 Now 2-1 L
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